Have you missed me? I guess it’s been 2-3 weeks, and as usual, they’ve been eventful.
We had a very nice week or so in Solomons MD, a fairly big boating community. Marcia joined us for a few days – we enjoyed some gardens, a great dinner, a maritime museum, and the local tiki bar (there's at least one in every port - but this was a good one).
On July 26 we headed back to Atlanta. Debi had meetings, but we both spent a good amount of time with my dad, who came down to look for a condo, having sold his house outside Chicago. He’s made an offer, but it’s not clear if it will work out at this point.
We enjoyed our stay in Atlanta - it was only weird to be home for about 24 hours - had a nice time at Manuel’s, caught a Braves game, and on Monday the 31st were preparing to head back to the boat when we got a phone call from the boatyard in Solomons MD. We had asked them to do some relatively minor and totally elective repairs. However, they managed to make it more than minor. When Debi got off the phone with them she walked in our office and said, “we have a problem.” Most of you know that Debi doesn’t find many things to be “a problem” (except maybe me playing music too loud). So I was almost relieved when she told me that the guys working on our boat had driven a screw, apparently a long one, through the hull and through ...our fuel tank. The clue was the pink diesel spewing out the side of the boat.
It could have been a lot worse. At first it looked like they would have to replace the tank, which means taking out the engines (with cranes) to get to it. But they decided to cut a hole in the hull and use some amazing liquid steel (developed by the space program) to patch the tank. We’ve been told by those who should know that this is a good repair, and it has a life-time guarantee.
Our only real loss (other than plane change fees since our return was delayed while work was completed) was the window which Deb and Mike Hughes had for boating with us - but we hope they will join us later. The boatyard was incredibly apologetic and accommodating, paying for a 90 minute shuttle from D.C. to Solomons, picking up our hotel tab, and lending us a truck until our boat was ready. Believe me, not all the boatyards we have dealt with have been this professional.
On the (blue) road again, we traveled up the western shore to Herring Bay – a nice resort marina, very nice facility. Watched a lot of Olympics in the captain’s lounge, and enjoyed the local café, bar, and pool.
Today we had a glassy ride over to the eastern shore and what some consider the ultimate Chesapeake Bay destination, St. Michaels. We explored a little of the historic town (lots of little shops, galleries, restaurants, B&Bs) and will do much more over the next couple of days. The marina itself is the first we’ve had on the bay with cable – so we are watching more Olympics now - I can't get enough.
Tomorrow, Bill and Gigi Barnes will arrive for several days. Debi and I will take a few days off from our body-building, inspired by the Olympics. I think you will agree that it has paid off..
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