June 12, Day 352– Annapolis to Home

We were up early this morning, as the mooring field was pretty rocky. It had been that way for most of the night and Gerry hardly slept at all. We called our friends, Jim and Karen, and cancelled our morning plans for breakfast on the boat. Too bumpy to cook for a crowd of people.

Instead, we picked up Michel and Carole in the dinghy and went into town for breakfast at Chick and Ruth’s Delly. This is somewhat of an institution in Annapolis, having been around for over 45 years. It’s a real “mom and pop” place and the walls are filled with signed photographs of celebrities ranging from politicians to sports heroes to movie stars. Every morning at 8:30 on weekdays and 9:30 on weekends, the Pledge of Allegiance is recited. We just happened to be there at 9:30 and joined in. What’s even better, the food was great.

After breakfast we walked the streets a little and then returned to the boats. Both boats were scheduled for a pump out from the cruising pump out boat and once that was accomplished we released the mooring ball and were on our way to cross our wake. We didn’t have far to go as the mooring field is right off the Severn River. At 11:35 we made the turn at marker GC 13 and crossed our wake, thus completing our Great Loop.

After crossing, it was a quick 8 mile cruise up the Severn River to our home – Plum Creek. Our friends, Jim and Karen, had organized a welcome home party with many of the same friends that saw us off 364 days ago (one day short of a year). In our community we have several small beaches and the party was held at one of these. It was great seeing everyone again but, in truth, it felt like we had never left. We must say this was the fastest year we have experienced. Guess the old adage is true – time flies when you’re having fun – and fun we had.

This was truly the trip of a lifetime and we’re grateful we were able to sustain good health for the entire trip (only minor mishaps for Gerry) and that the boat performed like a champ. We saw so many amazing sights and met so many wonderful people that we can’t begin to thank everyone for their help and support during the trip. However, there are a few people that merit mention. First, two sets of traveling companions with whom we spent about 10 of the 12 months of our journey. We met Michel and Carole on Emotion III in early August in Canada and traveled with them on Lake Michigan, the river systems, the panhandle of Florida and then the last 2 weeks of the trip. Thank you for sharing your wonderful French Canadian humor and sense of adventure with us. You were truly extraordinary traveling companions. A special thanks to Michael and Jana on Second Star with whom we traveled over 8 months from Chicago to the headwaters of the St. Johns River in Florida. You taught us to slow down and enjoy the day. Sometimes the day was short because we took our time and started out late, or sometimes we didn't leave at all. We are truly appreciative of being able to share so much of our journey with you and for the fact that you put up with us for so long. We are sure these friendships will last forever.

We also want to thank Bill and Ruth Donovan. After completing the loop, they sold us their boat – a Monk 36 named Integrity. We renamed her Monk’s Vineyard and took her on her second Loop. They also served as our guardian angels during the trip keeping a watchful eye on us and offering advice throughout the trip. It was great fun sharing our loop trip with you. And finally, thanks to some neighborhood friends. Our friends Jim and Karen stayed in close contact with us throughout the entire trip keeping a watchful eye on our house and car, handled our mail when the U.S. Postal service screwed up with the forwarding, and let us stay in their home over Christmas. We truly appreciate your friendship. Also thanks to Matt and Torrey for watching over our 16 foot C-Dory, Wee Wine, while we were gone.

So now the trip is over -- what's next?? We’ve not sure, but it probably includes more cruising, possibly to the Bahamas. However, one thing that it does not include is a daily blog entry. While we are glad we made the effort to update daily, it took a real commitment. Let’s face it, some days just aren’t news worthy and it’s hard to put a good spin on doing laundry, changing the oil or those days when you’re just being lazy. For now, we’ll just say another thanks to everyone who shared our trip and who followed us on our blog. It was truly a fantastic voyage.

Outside Chick and Ruth's Delly

Inside the diner -- as you can see, it is small but they can really pack in the people. It's always crowded. Both Chick and Ruth have passed way, but their legacy is continued by their children and grandchildren.

Heading out of the mooring field passing by the Naval Academy

The green marker up ahead is where we "officially" cross our wake

It was quite a momentous occasion. Sailboats set their colorful spinnakers .....

.... and the US Navy sent out several boats to welcome us !!

Ready to cross our wake -- Linda is holding up the gold burgee

Here Gerry is attaching the new burgee to the flag staff - not an easy task in the choppy waters at the mouth of the Severn

A new nice clean burgee -- the white burgee was pretty dirty by the end of the trip

Under way with the new burgee

We passed by Sherwood Forest on our way home. This is a community not far from us where all the homes have to be either brown or green -- you know, to blend in with the forest.

Here we are entering Plum Creek -- that's the beach you can see in the distance

Back home at anchor on Plum Creek

We are anchored in front of our friend Edna's home - this is where it all started with a send off party, 364 days ago

Let the party begin ! ! !

George waving hi ya'll. He and his wife Donna (on the right) live in North Carolina. Michele and Carole really loved his accent. Our friend Torrey is to the left and Jim is on the far right.

Carole and Michel try out kayaking

The Janssen boys at play

Here's Luke -- not real happy at the moment

Chef George with a bit of fire blazing

Gerry and Carole -- Gerry wondering what Carole is drinking

Michel and Carole share a private moment

Everyone had a great time

Whataburger. The Captain looks happy

Carole and Michel on the beach

After the festivities, Michel and Carole came to the boat and presented us with a picture of our crossing, a book from the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and bottle of champagne. Thanks guys !!

This, we decided, is our official "finishing photo". In it we are decked out in our looper gear: Great Loop Shirts, Great Loop hat, Port St. Joe hat (one of our favorite marinas) , our Great Loop paddle which we had specially made at the Redtail Paddle Company in Hastings, Ontario and our new gold burgee.

... and so, as the story goes, they cruised off into the sunset!

The End

June 11, Day 351 – St. Michaels to Annapolis

Linda was up early this morning and took a few pictures of the beautiful sunrise. Gorgeous!! Gerry also witnessed the sunrise (but by looking at the pictures). We raised anchor and headed out at 8:00. We’re pretty much on the home stretch now. As we left the Eastern Bay and entered the main part of the Chesapeake we could see the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Wow, unbelievable that we’ve been gone a year (minus a day or two).

We had a very pleasant cruise to Annapolis, first passing Bloody Point Light and then Thomas Point Light. Then it was on to Annapolis Harbor where we picked up a mooring ball. As we entered the harbor, we made sure we stayed to the south – therefore not quite crossing our wake. That will happen tomorrow as we pass by the Naval Academy and head up the Severn River (we are approximately 500 yards from crossing). After that, we have 8 miles back up the Severn River to Plum Creek – our final destination.

After securing a mooring ball, we picked up Michel and Carole in the dinghy, headed up Ego Alley and docked at the dinghy dock in the public square. Since it was afternoon, the first order of business was lunch. We stopped at Maria’s Sicilian Ristorante where we had a wonderful meal. Everyone gave it high marks. Next we explored the main streets of Annapolis (we pretended like we were tourists) where we took lots of pictures and browsed through many of the shops. We went to Pusser’s for happy hour and had one of their famous painkillers. Then we explored Spa Creek by dinghy showing Michel and Carole just how many boats are in the area.

Back at the boat we got a phone call from our friends, Jim and Karen, letting us know they were on their way down the river to join us. They had checked our spot tracker and saw we were in the Annapolis Harbor. We picked up Michel and Carole and we all dinghied over to their boat to visit awhile. They made plans to come back down the river in the morning for a “group” breakfast.

We parted company and went back to the boat where we enjoyed the sights and sounds of Annapolis Harbor at night. Then it was off to bed.

A beautiful sunrise with a sailboat already heading out

Another shot of the sunrise at it started to get lighter

Departing St. Michaels with Emotion III behind us

We passed by Bloody Point Light as we headed back into the Chesapeake

In the distance, we could just barely make out the Cheaspeake Bay Bridge

We passed by Thomas Point Light. This is one of the most photographed lighthouses on the Bay.

Entering the Annapolis Harbor -- almost home. That's the Capitol Building you can see to the right.

We immediately saw another Monk (on the left) and a pirate ship

Emotion III grabbing a mooring

The Capitol Building and city dock -- a very busy place, even on a weekday

Here's the gang (Michel, Carole, Gerry and Linda) sitting on the steps of an alley with the Capitol Building peaking through in the background

Looking down main street towards Annapolis Harbor

The U.S. flag and the Capitol in the background

This way to Happy Hour !!!

Monk's Vineyard and Emotion III in the mooring field

The flower baskets hanging from the Compromise Bridge over Spa Creek

Our friends arriving on their Cape Dory

Karen (on the right) and Donna and George

Ego Alley at twilight -- lots of action. It's a very small channel but there were some huge boats parked down at the other end.

A shot of the mooring field with the Naval Academy in the background

June 10, Day 350 – Dividing Creek to St. Michaels

This morning we woke to beautiful blue skies – a gorgeous day in the anchorage. After breakfast we picked up Michel and Carole in the dinghy to go ashore for a walk on the nature trail on Wye Island. The guys also tried some crabbing from the dinghy dock, but without any success.

Back at the boat we got ready for our departure to St. Michaels. We have been taking our time cruising up the Chesapeake in order to show the gang on Emotion III a good cross-section of the Chesapeake Bay: small fishing towns, secluded anchorages, quaint tourist towns, and, of course, Annapolis is also on the list.

We departed the anchorage just before 10:00 and made the short trip across the Miles River to our anchorage in the St. Michaels harbor arriving at 11:00. After settling in, we dinghied into St. Michaels to eat and explore. Michel had been looking forward to crabs so we headed first to the St. Michaels Crab and Steak House. Gerry cannot eat crab (allergic ) and Carole does not like shellfish, so we ordered a half dozen for Michel and Linda – with the thought that we could get more if we wanted. Well, after his three crabs, Michel decided they were way too much trouble to eat and ended up ordering a crab cake sandwich. (Linda continued picking away.)

After lunch we walked through town checking out a few of the shops and then on to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. This is a wonderful museum with many buildings each deplicting some aspect of the Chesapeake: oystering, crabbing, ducks/geese, boatbuilder shed, pleasure boating on the Chesapeake, screwpile lighthouse and much much more. It’s not to be missed if you’re visiting St. Michaels. We have been through the museum many times and never tire of visiting again.

After the museum we stopped for a drink (since it was happy hour) and then took a dinghy ride around the harbor. Back at the boat we had a light supper, enjoyed the sunset and a concert that was being held in the nearby park. It was a full, but fun day.


The anchorage in the morning. This is the best part of the day!! Quiet and peaceful with only the sound of the birds.
Gerry and Michel getting their crab lines ready

Linda and Gerry on the trail

Entrance to the nature trail -- there was lots of poison ivy so we made sure to stay on the trail

Carole was amazed at the size of the Wye oak tree

Along the nature trail

There was a huge group of high school students that had been camping out in the nature preserve for the past week. They were starting to break camp.

Did Linda push Gerry in the water ??? humm.......

Entering the harbor at St. Michaels. There was a small cruise ship at the museum dock. This was the same cruise line that we had seen a couple of times in the Intercostal in Georgia and South Carolina.

Emotion III in the anchorage. To the left you can see the Hooper Strait Lighthouse.

The boat Freedom -- quite a beauty

Michel was wanting blue crabs ....

... so off to lunch we went. He wasn't crazy about picking the crabs, but we had fun trying to teach him how to do it.

Now isn't that one good looking crab -- and fisherwoman too!

Anyone for a can of oysters. These are a few of the many brands that have been filled with Chesapeake oysters.

This was quite the figurehead outside one of the museum buildings. She's bigger than the entire bow of our boat.

The boatbuilders shed

This is the screwpile type Hooper Strait Lighthouse

The boats in the anchorage taken from the top of the lighthouse. Can you spot Monk's Vineyard and Emotion III.

Emotion III at sunset, along with a skipjack sailing by