Epilogue

Since returning home, we’ve had the boat hauled at our local marina where it’s getting the bottom painted and hull waxed. We’re going to take most everything off, clean it up good, make sure everything is working properly and list it for sale (anyone out there interested in a Monk?) If we get a reasonable offer, we’ll sell; if not, we’ll continue cruising. In the meantime we plan to do a little exploring by land for a change. We just finished a week in the Williamsburg/Jamestown area. In September we’re taking a long road trip to Colorado where we’ll visit our cruising buddies, Jana and Michael from Second Star, and then on to Utah to visit family and friends. In early November we have plans to visit the Cape Cod area for a week as we’re using up our yearly vacation timeshare points before we lose them. For now though, this is Monk’s Vineyard …. Signing off.

Monk's Vineyard -- at home !!

Homeward Bound

June 26-27 - After a short run back to Solomon’s Island, we dropped the hook, settled in, and then dinghied ashore to meet Sterling and Judy. We ended up at Catamaran’s for drinks and a light dinner and then walked the riverfront before returning back to the boats.

We planned an early departure for our long trip to Annapolis, but there was a morning shower that delayed us until 8:30. We had a perfect run to Annapolis – flat seas and a light breeze to keep things pleasant. We arrived at the mouth of the Severn River around 3:30 and then headed the 7 miles up river to our home on Plum Creek. We, along with Sterling Lady anchored just down the creek from our home. We dinghied ashore and were welcomed at Edna and Peter's for welcome home drinks and snacks and then on to Jim and Karen's for drinks and a great dinner.

Returning home is always a little bittersweet – we’re sad that the adventure is over, but, at the same time, happy to be home.

Monk's Vineyard and Sterling Lady at anchor - Solomon's Island



We saw a gaggle of geese ....



... and a lone swan

As we got closer to home, we passed Thomas Point Light



With no wind, the small sailboats had to be towed in by dinghy.
The kids still had fun (see them swimming on the left)



On the way to our friend's home for dinner, Sterling
volunteered to ride in the back -- it was a tight squeeze

Dinner at Jim and Karen's

The next morning we bid a fond farewell to Sterling and Judy
as they headed north, eventually to the Erie Canal.

Patuxent River – Solomon’s Island and Vera’s White Sands

6/21 – 6/25 – We departed Washington, D.C. a little after 8:00 in the morning. It was a pleasant day on the Potomac and we had a push from the tides and ended up traveling to Canoe Neck Creek off St. Clement Bay arriving a little after 5:00. It was a quiet anchorage with very few houses and no boat traffic. The next day we had a much shorter trip to Solomon’s Island where we anchored in Back Creek. After settling in, we went in search of our friends Sterling and Judy on Sterling Lady. We found them, not surprisingly, at the Tiki Bar. We first met Sterling and Judy in New York when we were doing the Great Loop. We’d seen them several times along the Loop, but not since Key Largo (their homeport) over a year ago. We had a few drinks and then dinner at a local restaurant. The next day we did some provisioning and had happy hour aboard Ashton Gray, a 65 footer owned by Dwight and Carolyn.

On Friday we headed up the Patuxent River to St. Leonard Creek where we docked at Vera’s White Sands for an MTOA Rendezvous. We had been to Vera’s several years ago when she was still alive. She had lived in Hollywood before meeting her husband and had hopes of becoming a star. However, after her marriage, she and her husband traveled extensively and eventually bought a huge parcel of property on St. Leonard Creek and built a restaurant and marina. By the time she passed away, the property was quite run down, but it was bought by people that renovated the marina and restaurant and are currently turning her home into a Bed and Breakfast. We were given a tour of her home – very interesting. We had an enjoyable rendezvous with lots of socializing, food and, of course, drinks. There was even a wedding on our dock while we were there. On Sunday morning we headed back to Solomons.

Entering St. Clement Bay

Our anchorage in Canoe Neck Creek

Solomon's Island Anchorage - Back Creek

After settling in - we met our new neighbors --

-- and then found Sterling and Judy at the Tiki Bar

We had a nice sunset in the anchorage

Happy Hour aboard Ashton Gray

Our hosts, Dwight and Carolyn

Gerry checking out the good food

Arriving at Vera's White Sands
(left to right - restaurant, marina, Vera's home)

Vera's home -- every livingroom should have a swimming pool

Dining Room

Unique bathroom fixtures

This is Vera in her younger days

Even the bar had a bit of her "personnality"

Happy hour at the MTOA rendezvous



Tiki Bar on the beach



Gerry checking out the bar

Judy and Sterling on the
dinghy trip

Heads poking above the grass

Dinghies up the creek

Wedding on the dock
bride and groom

Wedding party

Wedding guests - very casual wedding



Reception at the tiki bar



Last morning of rendezvous -- don't be fooled by the coffeepot
Everyone's drinking Mimosas