Yes, it is all weather dependent!
We originally planned to travel up the Potomic River, to Washington DC with our friend Karen. That plan was altered due to an extremely rough day on the Chesapeake Bay. We have been warned numerous times that the Bay has a mind of her own.... well, in a few short days traveling on the Bay we have witnessed a wide range of her various personalities. Our first day was glorious and calm, with sparkling water...then a few days later, rough rolling and we needed to secure everything possible 🙀! We are all safe and headed to Annapolis rather than Washington DC.
On Tuesday, June 26th we passed into the State of Maryland. There wasn’t any big sign, but we did see it on our navigation charts 🙂.
Our first stop in Maryland was Zahniser’s Yachting Center in Solomons Island. We stayed for two nights, waiting for a better weather window. Since we were at a full service Marina, Captain Greg scheduled Thistle for an oil change, new fuel filters, new belts and engine zincs. At the same time Reenie and Karen headed off on bikes to see the town! (Lots of multi tasking when you have a bonus day Looping.)
Solomons Island has the population of about 2,500 people and about 3,000 boats (not sure if there are that many boats, but it seems like there are more boats than people in this town 🤓). It s a very popular weekend destination for the Washington DC area. It was originally called Bourne’s Island in 1680. Then in the 19th century a Baltimore businessman, Isaac Soloman, established a cannery here shortly after the Civil War. Then the area became a shipbuilding port for World War II. Solomons Island was chosen by Allied Command as the site for amphibious training. Coincidentally, many of the servicemen who trained here were sent to war in the Pacific Soloman Islands. Today there is a fabulous Marine Museum.
We departed at sunrise 🌅 for our journey to Annapolis. It was initially a little bumpy, but by noon we enjoyed a glorious day on the Bay. It was spectacular arriving in Annapolis, the charming downtown with the United States Naval Academy in view. Greg and Reenie have been to Annapolis by car, but it’s a totally new and exciting perspective arriving by water ⚓️.
Annapolis is the historic State Capital of Maryland. The City, became the temporary Capital of the United States, after the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. The State Capitol was the site of the 1786 Annapolis Convention. This Convention issued a call to the States to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention, which was to be held the following year in Philadelphia. Annapolis is home to Saint John’s College, established in 1696 and the United States Naval Academy, established in 1845.
In the 17th century Annapolis was little more than a village. The City grew rapidly in the 18th century, as a political capital and major port of entry center of the Atlantic Slave Trade. In 2008 Annapolis celebrated the 300th anniversary of it’s 1708 Royal Charter. Today Annapolis is a major tourist destination. Walking along the brick sidewalks, as did George Washington is very inspirational.
There are many Marinas in Annapolis, but we wanted to have a front row seat for the July 4th fireworks display. So, the Annapolis City Dock right in the center of down Annapolis on “Ego Alley” was our first choice. We arrived in the afternoon of June 28th. Yippee, there was a slip for Thistle ⚓️. We stayed at the City Docks for one crazy😜 fun week!
“Ego Alley” is not an alley in the traditional sense. It is a narrow waterway that spills out into Spa Creek. The name “Ego Alley” comes form the queue of boats that parade through the waterway on evenings, weekends and especially holiday! And what a holiday 🇺🇸 it was ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️❗️
Looper Tip: Yes, it’s a bit crazy, but staying at the Annapolis City Docks on “Ego Alley” is truly one of those ...Once in a Lifetime Experiences ♥️
The green line represents our two port stops
on the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland.
Solomons Island
Annapolis
Tuesday, June 26th was a very BuMpY day on the BAY 😱
Exciting...We are in Maryland 😎
Zahniser’s Yachting Center for two nights...Tuesday, June 26th and Wednesday, 27th.
We originally only planned on one night, but did you notice the above SMALL CRAFT WARNING?
Safety First...☑️
Thistle docked under the June Full 🌝 Moon (a Strawberry moon🍓this month).
Sights of Solomons Island.
We visited the Calvert Marine Museum on Solomons Island.
It was surprisingly great 👍.
Gorgeous Green Farmland on Solomons Island.
We shared a slice of famous Smith Island Cake 😋
The Official Dessert of Maryland.
Originally made on tiny Smith Island in the
Chesapeake Bay, by wives for their Oyster Fishermen husbands at sea.
It was a long day on the Chesapeake Bay, heading towards Annapolis!
Great weather (Compared to a few days ago... ).
A Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) shipping terminal at Cove Point. We got a little too close and the armed security vessel gave us a warning pass by 😳 🚫.
The City of Annapolis has a THISTLE in their logo
(I think we are going to like it here😎).
We got lucky 🍀 and found a perfect slip at the Annapolis City Dock!
The City Dock is first come first served...and we were slightly worried about availability,
with the approaching 4th of July holiday (The🇺🇸indicates were Thistle was docked).
Right in the center of downtown Annapolis on “Ego Alley”.
A pretty sunset over the Maryland State Capitol Building.
Our first day in Annapolis was Induction Day⚓️.
Very inspirational 🇺🇸.
Cheers 🥂to our friend Karen for a great visit.
She got pretty “Salty” on her week aboard Thistle.
Safe travels home ♥️.
Captain Greg treated Reenie to an early Birthday surprise.
A night at an Inn in Saint Michael’s for the Fireworks 🎇 Celebration!
😍Thank You.
Historic downtown Annapolis.
Located in the center of downtown Annapolis,
the State House is visible from Thistle.
It is topped with a wooden dome, constructed without nails.
Dating back to 1772,
it is the oldest State capitol in continuous leglislative use in the United States.
From 1783 to 1784 it served as the first peacetime Capital of the United States.
Re-Sails was one of our favorite unique shops in Annapolis.
Everything is made from used sails...including our new red anchor champagne 🍾 bucket.
The original Hobo Bag shop in in Annapolis.
We “Smelled the Tea” (and purchased some) at Capital Teas.
The first Sunday Annapolis Arts Festival.
We especially liked the bottle top 🦀crab.
The Emergency Snow Route sign was pretty funny in the
middle of the HEATWAVE 🔥 we are experiencing.
July 3rd....
The Washington Capital’s hockey 🏒 shared their Stanley Cup trophy off Thistle’s stern.
Captain Greg was interviewed on the Local News!
On July 4th 🇺🇸
We toured the United States Naval Academy!
Proud to be an America ♥️.
The Naval Academy.
The Naval Academy.
Awe - Inspiring.
Thistle is decorated for the 4th 🇺🇸.
The (informal) Parade of boats up & down Ego Alley is soooooooo fun to watch!
Some boats are self propelled and some have helicopters 🚁.
More boats in the Parade (right off our stern).
One was a BBQ delivery boat 🍔.
Reenie celebrates her Birthday in Annapolis 🇺🇸.
Fellow Loopers aboard Knot Kidd’n hosted Docktails.
Homemade blueberry 🥧 pie for dessert 😋.
Thank You Captain Greg 😘.
A spectacular firework💥 celebration to end a perfect Birthday
for the USA & Reenie 🇺🇸 🙂.
Family & Friends, Thank you for the special Birthday Day wishes❌⭕️.
Family & Friends, Thank you for the special Birthday Day wishes❌⭕️.
