We're in Baltimore, MD - June 16, 2008

We arrived in Baltimore about noon today after a great sail up from Annapolis. And we got to turn OFF the motor and actually SAIL up the Bay and into the Patapsco River! WOW! We clipped right along at a little over 6 kts.

We were at the Annapolis City docks for the past 2 nights, right across from Pusser's Bar so got to enjoy all the live steel drum music and great musicians playing on their dock every night. Also the nightly "boat parade", a steady stream of every type of boat imaginable cruised past our transom--Fountains, SeaRays, trawlers, and of course, sailboats.

My old catamaran sailing buddy, Steve, met us and introduced us to the bars in the "Maritime Republic of Eastport" - across the bascule bridge from Annapolis. I loved Eastport even more than I love Annapolis - so quaint with many restored houses and the bars and restaurants were ALL ABOUT sailboats. We took the water taxi over to a local restaurant called "Davis's" for blackened fresh grouper and crabcakes, then onto the Boat House Bar and then finally to another bar that I can't even remember the name! We all walked back to boat in the rain but by then we just didn't care! :-)

We're at the Anchorage Marina outside of Fells Point with a grocery store across the street and a POOL which is located at the end of "C" dock overlooking the river - kind of neat actually. There are gas grills out there along with a little "party cottage". We're here until after the 4th of July as the fireworks display here is supposed to be one of the best in the country. Ft. McHenry is across the river where the Star Spangled Banner was penned so they take Independence Day seriously around here! We can take the Water Taxi for $5/day anywhere we want to go - to the Baltimore Inner Harbor or further up the river. Fells Point is no shrinking violet either though with many shops and restaurants.

Right now it's raining cats and dogs so instead of grilling tonight, it may have to be stir fry. Cruising is all about not having any plans at all, we've discovered. It's a "fly by the seat of your pants" kind of living.