The 2019 Annapolis Sail Boat Show ~

     Pete has been talking to Tim, aboard SV EVENING STAR, a Catalina 320.  He has traveled from Detroit with this golden retriever, Jessie, with plans of sailing south. His final destination is undecided. We invited him to join us as we head over to the boat show and meet with our friends Martha and Dan, Betty and John, Jeanne and Gerry for lunch at Pusser's. After lunch, Pete and I toured some of Bali's catamarans and met Claire and Rich aboard the 40-foot cat. It was fun to visit with them in such a great boat!  We also were able to get aboard the brand new Catalina 545. It is big and has a lot of wasted room, and very high head room, 8 1/2 feet, at the expense of a view. It will not make it on our wish list!

      As we were wrapping up our visit to the show the tide was inundating parts of the show. Tim, Pete and I stopped by Storm Brothers Ice Cream for Root Beer Floats before grabbing a seat on the bus for parking. From experience from past shows, we decided to skip waiting on the corner of Ego Alley and head down to the Hotel.  Enroute, the bus stopped and asked if we needed a ride! After several us boarded the bus, we stopped at Ego Alley, but only had room for 5 more people.  We definitely made a good choice.

      Once on Route 50, we were held up in 7 miles of heavy, slow traffic caused by scheduled repairs to the bridge for 2 hours!  Pete had to take his conference call in the car without his computer.  Needless to say, this has caused a traffic nightmare that everyone has been very vocal about, except MDOT.

     Once back on Kent Island, we stopped at Safe Way so Tim and I could compete our provisioning. Route 18 was closed, not for traffic but due to high water.  As we approached our marina, the high water was quite remarkable. The street was under 10-12 inches. Parts of the parking lot was also underwater, but what really amazed us was all the docks were under 3 inches of water.  It was obvious that the current was out going and the water level was dropping, but it will take a while before the docks are exposed, We rolled up our pants, took off our socks and shoes. Tim walked barefooted, but I put my sneakers back on to walk through the water. I needed to get Pete's crocks so we could also return to the boat with the perishable groceries.  Poor Bailey had to wait another hour before we could get her off the boat.  It is a long way from the boat deck to the dock, which is narrow.  Pete gave her a bath so we want to keep her as clean as possible before she and I head back to Deb's.

      

     With such high water the marina cut the power to the docks as a precaution. Once the water level was below the docks the power returned.

     After diner, we emptied out the rear cabin so I could make the bed.  Our friend, Paul, will be joining Pete to take the boat from Charleston, to Florida so this bed will be needed.  The stuff we normally store there has been organized in bags for easy removal when needed. I also put away the provisions that I just picked up.

     Pete is ready to head south.  He plans on leaving about 8 so that he can fuel up and catch the 8:30 am opening of the Kent Narrow's bridge. My bags and Bailey's are packed and ready to off load in the morning. 

     It seems impossible that the summer is gone and time to make the journey once again.  This time will be very different as Pete does most of the trip solo. Having Bailey with me gives him a lot more flexibility.  He can stop when needed to do work and not worry about dropping anchor. He doesn't have to concern himself with dropping and raising the dinghy and most importantly, where he will have access to walk the dog. 

     I will be keeping up the blog based on Pete and my conversations.  The photos will be scarce, but there are plenty from previous trips. Hopefully, Debi's treatment continues to do well.  If so, Bailey and I should be able to join Pete in about a month.

    Well, it is time to start the new journey . . . .

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ P & K