Saturday, October 2, 2004
Morning started with smoke pouring out of the engine room while we were running the generator. After getting fans going and clearing out the smoke Alan inspected the damage - the heat exchanger on the generator had a major crack. What looked like ominous smoke billowing from our boat was actually steam from the water and coolant leaking all over. Can just imagine what the other boaters in the mooring field were thinking as they watched this scene! Once we cleared out the smoke Alan removed the exchanger and began to think about a plan of attack. With all of the systems we've put on board, computer, tv, refrigeration, etc. we've been experimenting with just what it takes to keep the batteries charged so we can start the engine - and being able to start the engine is a must! There's nothing worse than turning that key and hearing nothing. On days when we're laying over and not motoring we need to run the generator. Alan started making phone calls about replacement parts and of course no one was around because it's Saturday. He finally got someone at an engine shop who thinks he might be able to help us out but can't do anything until Monday morning. Oh shucks! Looks like we might have to spend a few more days in Annapolis! We can't stay on our mooring though because they're taking them out tomorrow to put in the docks for the boat show so we're going up "Back Creek" on the other side of town to anchor.
Once we took care of all that maintenance/repair stuff we headed off for another day of exploring Annapolis. First stop was to the jewelers to pick up the ring that Alan bought me (it had to be sized). Then lunch in town and on to visit the Naval Academy. Saw a wedding party coming out of the Academy chapel complete with the crossed swords formation. Then toured the museum on campus. What a fabulous place. It's just amazing how much history is packed into this one small museum - right down to buckles from George Washington's belts! And ships models - they had a whole room full of the most amazing models. We were on overload.
Chapel at the Naval Academy and a Saturday wedding coming out of the chapel
Sunday, October 3, 2004
Went to morning mass at the Midshipmen's chapel at the Naval Academy. A beautiful place and very nice service - all with a military/naval theme. Started with a bugle call to worship. Went to Starbucks for breakfast and walked around the waterfront. While we were walking around someone called out to us - it was Beth (Matt's sister) and husband Tommy and kids - Alex and Noah. Had a nice visit with them and took them out to the Mystic Jitney to see the boat. Alex really got into it. Had to be off our mooring by noon so we motored up Back Creek to try to find a place to anchor. It was very crowded (boats come in from everywhere for the upcoming boat show) but we found a spot - we weren't too comfortable with it though and were concerned the harbormaster might ask us to move. Started out for a dinghy ride when I noticed an empty town mooring! We rushed back to our boat, hauled up the anchor and picked up the mooring. What a find! Spent the afternoon walking around and exploring Eastport.
Beth, Tom, Alex and Noah
Monday, October 4, 2004
Dinghied over to Bay Shore Engines in Eastport with our broken heat exchanger in hand to see Chuck about ordering the part. Good news/bad news - he could get it but it would take two weeks. Oh well, like I said before, there are a lot worse places to be stuck than Annapolis. Took another walk into to town to watch all the activities of setting up for the boat show. It's pretty amazing to watch. They are literally building a city within the city of docks, tents, venues. All the new sailboats are arriving and being docked into place. While we were in the harbormaster's office registering for this week's mooring we noticed a sign that said "help wanted - boat show" with a phone number and a note to ask for Sharon. Next thing you know we were in the show office trailer talking to Sharon and signing up for jobs! The whole atmosphere of people coming and going, tents and fences going up and working out of trailers gave me a sense of signing up for the circus! Should be a lot of fun and like Alan says - always try to turn events into an opportunity. We've already met other cruisers who work the show every year on their way south. We'll be working the gates which means we'll be taking tickets, putting wrist bands on people and checking them as they come and go. We're working the sailboat show this Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun and Monday then have Tues and Wed off and then working the power boat show next Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sun. Hopefully during all of this our heat exchanger will come in.
Tuesday, October 5, 2004
Well we're really getting to know our way around Annapolis - spent a couple of hours this morning at the Anne Arundel Medical Center - had a slight mishap. Alan and I were landing the dinghy at a nearby marina to do laundry. It was a bit choppy and I stupidly reached out and put my left hand on the dock cleat while the dinghy bounced up and came down on it. Put a nice gash in the palm of my hand. I put pressure on it and walked up to the nearby cafe to get some ice but when the workers there looked at it they insisted I go to the hospital. A very nice lady named Lisa drove us there and came back to pick us up when we were done. Doctor wanted to put a couple of stitches in but I opted against that because I didn't want to deal with having to get them out in ten days. So they taped it up real good, gave me a tetanus shot and some antibiotics and I'm as good a new. Went back to the marina and did laundry
Met Judi and Jim McGuire, a cruising couple from Wickford RI and had drinks last night aboard their Tayana 38, "Songlines" - a really beautiful boat. Turns ouut we have mutual friends Jeanette and Bill Rice, also from Wickford RI, who will be arriving in a day or two on their boat "Myosotis".
Wednesday, October 6, 2004
Walked around Annapolis running errands all day = picked up antibiotics for my wounded hand, had lunch on the waterfront and dinner aboard "Songlines" with Judi and Jim and their friends Susan and Deal who own a B&B in Eastport just up the road. Great food and great people.
Thursday, October 7, 2004
Took the 8:00 am water taxi into Annapolis and worked the boat show. We worked the main gate all day. One of the first people we saw come through was Vin from Helliers Yachts Sales in New London. (We delivered boats for him to Newport and Norwalk a couple of years ago). It was a beautiful day and a lot of fun. All the other people we worked with were also cruising couples working their way south. Worked until the show closed at 6:00pm and took the 6:30 water taxi back to the boat. Transportation is free to all boat show workers.