Where have all the Loopers gone?

I am writing this in Annapolis, MD on Memorial Day, watching all the boats go by, noting to myself that I haven't seen a Looper boat since we left Solomons.  It's odd being in a jam-packed marina and not only being the lone Loopers but being one of the few "foreigners", meaning every other boat in a slip is from Annapolis. It's okay, the quiet will be a reprieve after all of the Deltaville dinners and docktails followed by more of the same in Solomons, followed by a family visit here the last few days. I guess the Captain & I will just have to talk to each other tonight...

My recent favorite ironic boat name seen in Solomons  

We had just left Deltaville after being "stranded" there for an extra 3 days due to high winds. Ten days is about a week too long in Deltaville (yet apparently, still not enough time to find a notary..), except for the wonderful company we had with our Looper pals Betsy & Rick, & Bob, and the friendly, accommodating folks at Dozier's Regatta. A number of SNs (snotty yachties) infiltrated the marina for a yacht club rendezvous of sorts, and kind of pushed us Looper folks off the front porch.  Oh well, I guess we had our turn and Lord knows it'll take more than an ascot to poop a Looper's party.

Docktails by The Zone with Bob (El Nido), and
Betsy & Rick Johnson (Rick 'N Roll)

Crabs on the BBQ in Deltaville for Loopers
thanks to the Harbor Hosts.

Final night in Deltaville

We will cherish our times there; particularly our never ending "last suppers" night after night until we finally left. We miss you Rick & Betsy, and look forward to our next encounter with you somewhere, somehow, someday....(thanks to you, we're ready for the "ones" and the "twos" on the rivers!)

We left Deltaville at 8:15am with Bob & his dog Dunkin (El Nido) not far behind us.  About five miles from the marina, I saw an email from Cathryn & Bob (Next To Me) whom we had met at the Rendezvous.  They are on our "little sister boat", as theirs is a 42' Jefferson.  I had just pressed "send" on my reply to her email, when I looked up and saw Cathryn waving to me from their dinghy on our port side.  What a delightful coincidence it was, and we made plans for docktails and then dinner at a place they had seen in town.  Bob (El Nido), arrived shortly thereafter and he joined us in the evening's fun. While we were waiting for our table at the CD Cafe, Ross sent an email to a notary he'd found on the internet, who was located about 8 miles from the boat. He had very low expectations.

My sweet cap'n, Bob & Cathryn (Next To Me), and Bob (El Nido)

 

Solomon's Yachting Center had a pool, though it wasn't opened for use (&%$#@!)...but as a consolation, had a large laundry room I had to myself early our first morning. 

When we first got to Solomons, Ross said he had a "wooley" for two things: pizza & chinese food.  Though we didn't have either while there, he DID manage to find a notary who delivered.  The guy he emailed the night before had responded saying he would call Ross at around 11am. At 10:50am, Ross's phone rang and it was the notary...calling from the marina's parking lot.  Amaaazing. Ross, being Ross, shook his head and said, "I wished he'd let me know he was coming; I would have had him bring a large pie with extra cheese".

When Ross & I finally ventured into town on foot, we noticed the sweet, painted fire hydrants. Oh the little things in life that make you smile, besides notaries who make house calls.

We walked (and walked and walked) to the Annmarie Gardens, which was a sculpture garden with indoor and outdoor exhibits including the below..

We met some nice folks along the way who offered us rides in both directions which we gladly took them up on. Ross is always surprised when he tells someone he's from NY and they say, "no kidding", like they figured it out already.  Seriously, he's dumbfounded by it and it just cracks me up!

Speaking of New Yawkers.....

After a very brief stay at Solomons, making up for lost time in Deltaville, we had a deliciously smooth ride to Annapolis.  Annapolis is the sailing capital of the world (Google it to be sure, I might have just made that up). To prove my point, I just stuck my iPhone outside and snapped this one:

The Annapolis Landing Marina is located in Eastport on the Back Creek, just past the Annapolis Sailing School.  The town of Annapolis is on Spa Creek, just off the Severn River, which is just off the Chesapeake Bay.

Got it?

Basically, we accidentally chose the marina furthest away from all the fun stuff and apparently all the other Loopers in Annapolis as well. Nonetheless, they DO have a pool that is opened, AND the Perrones including Ross Jr., Nicholas & Ashley, arrived on Friday by car from NY.

Ashley & me

Nick P. swabbing the deck
having lost a bet with Grandpa

At Mike's Crabs: BEFORE

At Mike's Crabs: AFTER

The Boatyard Bar & Grill

We had a great time walking, talking, eating, laughing! Grandpa made breakfast - twice daily for Nick P. who needs to fuel his furnace nearly hourly and we took the trolley tour of the city. We bumped into Brown Eyed Girl's Ginny & Craig in the middle of downtown Annapolis. Embarrassingly,  upon seeing them, I screamed like a high school girl who found out her BFF also made the cheerleading squad.  It was an out of body experience, but I was very happy and surprised to see them...

My Captain's dream came true and at last he got his pizza.  In fact, they delivered it directly to our boat! Note: www.roccospizzashop.com

The next day we toured downtown on our own, stopped in some shops, had a quick lunch and went to the Naval Academy. Quite impressive, meaningful and historic, but not nearly enough cute cadet sightings. Though very much in love with my Captain and well aware I have crossed over into the "of a certain age" category, I still wanted to see half naked young men with muscles, running around grunting and saying "YES SIR" while getting yelled at by an old bald dude with a hat. Maybe I've seen too many movies, maybe it was just being with a gorgeous 15 year old girl by my side, all day..in any event, it didn't happen, but we had a great time, and bought T shirts.

We were sad to see them all leave this morning and wished Cynthia and Lisa were with them too while here, (and Kim & Ernie & Paige and the rest of our clans...) but we will see you all soon as we make our way to The Big Apple....

More pix taken by each of the Perrone men.

We're here until Thursday when we say goodbye to the Chesapeake Bay!

What's the Captain got to say for himself?

Cap'n Awesome & Popeye

In response to some of your requests, I've been trying to coerce Captain Crunch to pen a segment himself. The best I could do was to get him to answer some questions (after promising to clean the dinghy..), and allow me to share them with you nice folks (after the dinghy passes inspection)."Quid pro quo, Clarisse..." 

Whatever. Without any further ado, here it is, by popular demand..


They've all heard our stories from my perspective - are they true/accurate?

Well, yes, I mean we experienced together what you wrote about,,.but beyond that, my perspective is more focused on where our next destination is and how we're going to get there.  I am more zoned in on the weather, navigation, and conditions like shoaling.  As you know, every day on the water has to end at some unknown destination, be it an anchorage or a marina.  I am concerned always, every single time, about the approach to the marina, the angle of the dock, how much room they will allocate...there are so many things to think about.

Docking is just one part of this.  Is it all too stressful? Are you having any fun?

Yes, of course! I have fun in between docking. The Loop experience is as you write about it. Everywhere we stop, we find something interesting, someplace new everyday, a new setting, and we don't know what to expect, which has been fun. Plus, together we find humor in the new experiences and I enjoy the camaraderie meeting all the other Loopers. Just as for you, there have been adjustments, some have been easier than others for me, some not so much. For example, not being able to get what you want when you want it, like groceries and banking etc., but we have been resourceful and technology helps; when it works.  Of course I miss my family, though we talk, email, text and "Voodoo" (video conference on ooVoo) constantly, and they visit from time to time, as you've documented.

How is it sharing such close quarters with the same person day after day?


It hasn't been an issue except for your flatulence and wanting me to dye your hair every 6 weeks.  Plus you shed more than Tucker (his dearly departed grand-dog) ever did. Your hair is everywhere. But, you do an excellent job with laundry and boat cleaning and don't complain that much. If only you could iron...


Charming! Do any parts of the upcoming journey scare you?


Well, getting up the coast of NJ will be challenging from all accounts. The NJ ICW is not in good shape - lots of shoaling - and therefore we will likely be forced to transit NJ on the outside (the ocean), which is 110 miles before we get to Sandy Hook, outside of NY harbor. Otherwise, not really, except docking.

Favorite stuff?


Visiting towns and cities in the US I never would have visited; seeing places filled with our country's history, especially the southern states. I've been all over the world, I traveled internationally for 25 years, but unfortunately I know more about foreign people, cities and countries than I do about what's in my own backyard.

Any highlights?

The Big Nasty Biscuit with Fried Chicken & Sausage Gravy at Hominy's in Charleston, my 32 oz prime rib in Coinjock, and the worst, by far, was our gas station dinner at Alligator River.

Any highlights/low lights, that don't revolve around food?

I loved my birthday visit with Joey, Ross Jr. & Nick P., and we had fun in St. Augustine with your brother Michael. I really enjoy our bike rides when we get to a new place.  I also like the way you fold my shorts.  I had no idea you were so good at laundry!


Do you miss anything from your other life?


Not at the moment.  I don't miss work, and I'm very satisfied how the boat has been performing.
I'm living my dream, with my dream boat (aww, totally not solicited).

Anything else you'd like to share?

I am extremely happy that in the 1100 miles thus far I haven't made an error in judgement or navigation - and I just love being out on the water (and being with you, all those sunsets, rocking waves...the magic we share together at the helm... no,. he didn't say any of that, but he was thinking it...)

Now leave me alone, I have to go back to work.(That, he did say.)

And so, friends, going forward, be careful what you ask for...

Here are some pictures of our adventures that Ross took and finally downloaded....

St. Augustine:

Isle of Hope, GA

Charleston, SC

Georgetown

Deltaville, VA