Sum Escape: Annapolis and Baltimore Sept 13-19

Monday we left for Annapolis where we caught up to our friends Nancy and Carey (Tug LeeLoo) who have been in Annapolis for a month or so. We last travelled with them in May from Fort Pierce to Daytona Beach. It is so great to catch up to some more fellow multi year Loopers!
Entering Annapolis harbor.

We had a wonderful dinghy ride touring the area with them on their dinghy and also a few meals out. Galway Bay was a wonderful Irish restaurant, the Boatyard Bar and Grille and Federal Tavern all had great food as well. The Naval Academy tour was wonderful. What a storied place. It makes one proud to be an American as one visits. You must see this if you are ever in the area.
Lining up for the lunch formation to march into the hall.

A short video:

https://youtu.be/wAwB4I2O230
Memorial Hall.

The chapel.

The armory.

John Paul Jones crypt in the lower level of the chapel.

In the museum, they have many wooden ship replicas. They are so intricate. Must be seen in person.

Didn't get a chance to see inside the famous Chapel as it was closed for private functions all three times we went there. Maybe next trip! I did snap this picture between wedding rehearsals before I was asked to leave.

Carey and Nancy had a car so we went with them a couple different times to re-provision, go to Home Depot, West Marine, etc. Did a couple boat repairs (which always take longer than expected too) and enjoyed walking around the community. The hot weather finally broke too, so it was nice to be able to walk around in less that 100 degree heat index. A very nice stop in Annapolis.
A local boat detailers van. We agree....

The Maryland State house at night.

The main street with lots of shops. Very walkable.

Baltimore is next and was an excellent stop. We stayed three days (one of which was pretty much a stay inside, rainy day) but found the city really nice. Arrival on Saturday was not a problem although there was some local boating traffic. Nothing like Grand Haven traffic in the summer, just a few boats leaving the harbor to go out to the Chesapeake on full plane. The Inner Harbor is just that, right in the heart of the city.

Had a nice dinner at Phillip's Seafood on Sunday night with Carey and Nancy....very good!

These crab cakes were almost as good as Kevin's supper club crab cakes! Well OK, it was fresh Maryland crab so maybe it was a little better Kevin.....

On Sunday morning we walked to a great farmer’s market maybe a mile and a quarter from the boat and stocked up on some nice fresh produce. It was a really large market with much to choose from. We try to hit these markets whenever we can....the produce is so much better than the grocery stores near marinas....I had a great strawberry waffle and bacon for my breakfast…couldn’t resist the aroma…it was fabulous!
City Hall....beautiful.

We also walked to a Harris Teeter and discovered some Ritz Carlton condominiums or time shares…if money were not an issue it looked like a great place to live. Boat slips between the condo buildings, gated entrances to the driveways serving the units, brick walkways and it appears to be quite new.

Look at all the cars....sidewalks were not an issue! If the grocery store is less than 2 miles we walk.

We also explored the Federal Hill Historic area which was really a cool area. Lots of little cafes, stores, etc scattered in all the old row houses. It looks like this area is really being reinvigorated.
A few views along the way.

The local Cross Street Market...lots of food here!

The Fall colors are beginning.

Here is the view from Federal Hill, our boat is below.

One night we had Carey and Nancy aboard for a grilled dinner. Preparing the food...a little flare up.

A full moon after dinner.

The Coast Guard sailing tall ship Eagle was in port so we took the opportunity to tour it. It was actually a German vessel, built in 1936 and captured during the war. It is used for training of 200 cadets at a sailing. It is said they get a great understanding of ship handling with wind, currents, tides, etc on this 295 foot vessel. It will sail at 17 knots and the diesel will push it at only 10 knots. It was an interesting tour.

Here it is leaving on Monday morning after the rain shower.

We also had an appetizer and drink at The Rusty Scupper right on the harbor which was also very nice.

A boat we saw on one of our walks around the harbor....again we agree...

We extended our stay until Tuesday morning as winds, thunderstorms etc were forecast.
All in all Baltimore was a very nice stop. We only wish that our nephew Paul and his wife Stephanie would have been in town for the weekend…we hope to catch them next trip through town in May of 2017.
Leaving the harbor on Tuesday morning. Tug LeeLoo