Month: May 2017

Cold and Rainy Cape May / Philadelphia 

It will be 6 days tomorrow that we are stuck in Cape May.  Weather is cold and rainy and waves have been 3-6 ft.  We are forgetting what the sun looks like.  Cape May is a pretty area and South Jersey is a nice marina but everything is very expensive. The town is charming with Victorian architecture decorating many homes. We walked a mile to town and the beach.  This is the southernmost point of the Jersey shore.  Chad took the bus here from New York.  He stayed with us 2 days.  We rented a car and drove to Philadelphia so he could take a train back. Did some sightseeing in Philadelphia but weather was rainy and cold and parking was $30 for the few hours we were there.  It was interesting but not nearly as exciting as D.C.  No TV or cable here and phone and internet service is poor. Looking forward to moving on!

Grand Haven Looper

The canoe was the smallest looper boat we have seen but this vessel would be the second smallest.  Paul spoke with the captain this morning.  He said he can do 100 miles per day if seas are calm.  He is an avid pickle ball player so he stops for events along the way. Made  it from Michigan to Florida in one month. Like us, he is now headed back.

Delaware City

We only planned on spending one night but the high wind forecast kept us and all the other loopers here an extra day.  We rented a car and did grocery shopping and other errands.  Found a BJ’s for some shopping.  It was right next to Paul’s West Marine.  Went to a looper party on Gypsies Palace and met several interesting boaters.  People on Tinacious are from Bay City.  They spent 10 years building their boat in their backyard before starting their voyage. It is a big boat! ​The ​ Returned the car tonight and called Uber for a ride back to the marina.  Tonight our driver picked us up in a Lincoln.  In DC, our driver picked us up at the airport in a late model Mercedes.  Very interesting rides!

Rainy, Windy, Cold Baltimore 

We arrived in the rain and we left in the rain.  Rain stopped long enough for us to look around the Fells Point area.  Very pretty with many, many bars.  The woman next to us in Henderson Wharf Marina was from Michigan, near Detour.  She started the loop with her husband in 2014 but he passed away last year.  She is continuing in in her Nordic tug.  Various family members and friends join her in different ports to assist on various legs of her journey.  

Annapolis, Maryland 

The Blue Angels were performing when we arrived in Annapolis.  The harbor was jammed with viewing boats and security.  We had to navigate a small channel the coast guard had marked for arriving vessels.  The weather is still rainy and gloomy.  I’m wondering when we will see a sunny day.  This is a great city.  We were going to stay two nights but all the marinas were full for the Naval Academy graduation week.  We were lucky to get a place for one night. Had a great dinner at Carroll Creek. Moving on to Baltimore tomorrow morning.

St Michaels, Maryland

This is a quaint area with lovely old homes, shops and commercial buildings.  Weather was rainy and cool so things were rather quiet.  High season starts next week.  I had a good soft shell crab dinner and Paul had the famous Chesapeake Bay oysters.  We went to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and learned about the local history.  St Michaels was the hometown of Frederick Douglass. Very pretty, historical town.

Goodbye Washington, D.C.

Due to weather forecast, we ended up staying  in D.C. for  a few more days.  Went home to Michigan for 10 days.  When we returned on Sat, there was a big festival at the marina park.  Running of the Chihuahuas had dog races, bands and other activities   Many people with many dogs in the audience.  Very cute.  We are on our way to Solomons, Maryland.  Rough ride  on the Potomac today