Foreign Affair Sailing

Janet's parents, John and Carol came down and we just spent the day relaxing on the boat and around the marina.  The breeze off the Bay made it seem cooler than the temperature would suggest. Overall, a comfortable and pleasant day of rest.

Improved the reefing system by installing blocks at the reef point to reduce friction on the reefing lines.  This was a relatively easy task and only took a couple of hours to get the parts and complete installation.  You shorten sail when the wind starts to overpower the boat and the reefing lines are used to pull the mainsail down to the boom so less sail is exposed to the wind.

Chesapeake Beach's Friday Night Farmers' Market draws a big crowd for food and fun.  Buskers entertain on the boardwalk.  Classic cars are on display.  Farmers, vintners and other vendors sell their goods on the bay-side street.  Dinner at Traders capped off the evening.

Carla and I took Ma B for a short road trip to Annapolis since she hadn't been there.  We had lunch at Chick and Ruth's (great Rubin sandwiches).  Then, walked the inner harbor where we meet some Loopers (members of the America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association) and saw the Topsail Schooner, Lynx which is a replica of the privateer of the same name which fought in the War of 1812.  Finally, we took a guided tour of the US Naval Academy.

We spent the greater part of the weekend at Herrington Harbour enjoying the wonderful weather, beautiful surroundings and great grilled meals.  We all enjoyed many hours of fun and relaxation: fishing (without luck), BBQ (plenty); beach time, pool time and time to lounge.

Went to Emory Methodist Church in Ellicott City for a grandniece's baptism.  This is one of the oldest churches in this formerly grand mill city and terminal station for the first steam locomotive line in the US.  The downtown district is filled with quaint anti-bellum homes and shops.