Monday, May 25:
We weren't sure if we were going to stay or travel today. Wes checked the weather and while there was rain in the forecast, it looked like we would be on the outskirts of it, so we decided we'd travel to Crisfield. We pulled the anchor around 0730 and got underway. It started out a beautiful morning. It started out a little foggy, but it lifted quickly. While enroute, we discovered that the ferry from Crisfield to Tangier was down and not operating. So, we pivoted and Wes canceled our reservations, and we decided to anchor out by Tangier Island. We arrived around 1300 and got the anchor set. Then we dropped the dinghy down and went to Tangier Island to explore. It was not the easiest to find a place to tie up to go explore, but we asked some locals and they let us tie up to their dock. We walked around the island. Being it was Memorial Day, a lot of shops were closed. We stopped by Muddy Toe's Cafe for lunch. We talked to some of the locals. It was a cute stop. The sky was getting darker, so we decided to had back to the dinghy and head back to the boat. We got back and got the dinghy raised up, then not too long afterwards, the rain came. It rained for most of the late afternoon and through the night. It got a little lumpy when we'd get waked by the crab boats, but mostly it was a great anchorage. We had a light dinner, relaxed watching some TV, then off to bed.
Tuesday, May 26:
We both got up and did our respective bible studies. Then Wes made us some breakfast while I worked. It was still overcast and raining, but not too hard. The rain stopped, but it was still quite foggy, so we waited out the fog. Then we pulled up the anchor around 1115 and made our way to Smith Island. We arrived around 1330 to the city dock. It was a little tight getting in but we made it without any issues. We got secured and then I had a work call, so Wes had to get us checked in and such. When I was done working, we got off and explored the town. We took the scooters down and away we went. We started out at the Smith Island Cultural Center. Then we went to Harbor Side Market and Restaurant where we each had a slice of Smith Island cake (it was delicious). From there we just rode around and looked around. We went all the way out to Rhodes Point and back. There were more vehicles on Smith Island but similar to Tangier, a lot of the houses needed a little TLC (some more than others). It's got to be difficult to get supplies on the island, so it makes sense. It was a nice little excursion around the island. We got back to the boat, put the scooters away, had some dinner, then relaxed for the rest of the evening, watching TV before bed.
Wednesday, May 27:
We got up and got moving. We dropped the lines around 0700 and headed out into the fog. It was skinny getting out, but we made it without touching bottom. We had a nice cruise to Solomons. It was overcast and a bit on the humid side, but still a nice day on the water. We arrived at our anchorage around 1230 and got the anchor set. I continued to work on the fly bridge, while Wes did computer work in the salon. When I was done working, we lowered the dinghy, explored a little bit, then went into the Safe Harbor Marina for docktales with a lot a loopers. We had the boater's lounge overflowing and lots of snacks for everyone! We even did the looper toast with mini beers! We had to leave a little early as we had a zoom MTOA meeting that evening. We got back to the boat, Wes got the zoom setup while I made dinner and we ate dinner during the meeting. After the meeting, we both just relaxed a bit on our tablets before heading to bed.
Thursday, May 28:
Wes was us very early. Apparently I was snoring too loudly so he couldn't sleep. So we got up and got moving early. As we were getting the boat ready for travel, we heard voices and there was a small boat right next to us putting down crab traps. Wes said something to him about we don't want to get your crab traps caught in our props as much as he doesn't want to lose his crab pots and that we were pulling our anchor and moving in about 5 minutes. He gave us a little more room, but we had crab pots about half way around us. We pulled the anchor around 0645 and started heading toward Tilghman Island. We didn't have any issues getting out. While it rained overnight, the sun was finally shinning again and the wind had picked up some. Wes wanted to get into Tillman Island in the morning as the winds were to pick up in the afternoon. We arrived at Tillman Island just as I was finishing up with a work call. We got secured around 1145, then Wes went up and checked us in while I went back to work. Once I was done with work, we took the scooters down and went exploring. We went to the tip of the island. It was a beautiful view. On our way back, we stopped at the country market for some ice cream, then stopped at Big Mack's for a beer. Then we went back to the boat where I made dinner, we relaxed enjoying some beverages on our aft deck until sundown, then went inside for a bit before heading to bed.
Friday, May 29:
We got up and Wes got the boat ready for travel. Slack tide was at 0800, so we waited until around then to drop our lines and we went over to the commercial dock for 200 gallons of fuel. It was not designed for pleasure boats, so it was interesting the not easy to get in. It's setup for the stern tie but there are no finger piers, so that wouldn't work for us. So when the commercial boats were out of their slips, we went in and did a starboard tie, put 100 gallons on each side, then squeaked out of there. Then back to the pier we left to get the dinghy (we left it there so we had more room to maneuver), then we walked up tot the Inn for their continental breakfast, and finally on our way to Annapolis. When this was all said and done, we finally pulled out to open water around 1000. I had a full day of calls, so we took our time as we couldn't arrive earlier than 1430 due to my work calls. We arrived at Eastport Yacht Club and get secured. We were on the outside, so it was a bit lumpy. We also had additional lines on to keep us secure. Once I was done with work, we ordered an Uber and headed to the bus station where we took the bus to Washington, DC. The bus was delayed, and delayed, etc. It was more than 2 hours delayed, so I requested a refund and we ordered an Uber. We finally arrived, and George and Midge were there waiting for us. We quickly checked in, dropped off our stuff then we got into their car and we headed to Georgetown where we stopped at an old pub for dinner and drinks. We squeezed in at a hightop in the bar and had some good burgers. Then we walked around down by the canal, and the waterfront. We stopped at a bar on the waterfront and enjoyed anohter beverage. Then we got back in their car and they drove us around to show us where everything was at. They dropped us back off at our hotel around 2345. We went up, got settled in and went to bed.
Saturday, May 30:
We got up and did some research on be mode of transportation we wanted for the weekend. Found a hop on/off bus were we could get a 48 hour pass and booked that. Then we got ready, and walked to the first bus stop. We rode all around and stopped at lots of places. We saw Arlington National Cemetery and visited the Kennedy Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, we saw the Capital, The White House, Washington Monument, FDR Memorial, congressional buildings, Air and Space Museum, etc. There are so many old buildings with interesting architecture, it was hard to keep it all straight, but it was beautiful to see. We finished our "touring" at the Air and Space Museum around 1730 as they were closing. We took a cab back to our hotel, where we relaxed a bit, then we walked to a liquor store to get a six pack of beer, then to a pizza place, where we had a pizza and some wine for dinner, then back to the hotel to relax watching TV and having a couple beers. It was a long busy day and we were both beat.
Sunday, May 31:
We got up and got moving early as we wanted to get down to the Washington Monument to get in line for the tickets to ride to the top. So we packed up, checked out and left our luggage there and then we walked to the Washington Monument and stood in line until the ticket booth opened at 0845. We were able to get tickets for the 0900 time slot, so we walked up to the monument. We rode up and the views were spectacular! The pictures don't do it's justice. Then we walked towards the Lincoln Memorial. We stopped by the Korean War Memorial and the Vietnam War Memorial, then walked up to the Lincoln Memorial. Then we walked to our bus stop where we caught a bus to the White House and then walked to our hotel. We picked up our luggage then walked a bit until we found a cab to take us to Union Station. We found where we needed to get our bus then we went and had a couple beverages at Wolfgang Puck's place while we waited for our bus. We took our bus back to Annapolis, then an Uber back to the marina. Our friends Jim and Leslie were there in their small boat waiting for us. Brian and Jeri on Revival were already with them. We dropped off our stuff, grabbed a cooler of beer and a couple bottles of wine, then jumped in their boat to head to their house for dinner. We had a wonderful dinner and it was fabulous conversation. It was such a peaceful view, great conversation and delicious dinner! We all got in Jim and Leslie's suburban and they drove us back to our marinas. We got back, relaxed for a little bit, then went to bed.
