Delaware City, Delaware

What a pleasant surprise this town was. We were intending on just an overnight here after the C and D Canal and before the Delaware Bay. Or plans changed when after seeing the town. The C and D canal connects the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays.

Our first experience was at the rendezvous when Tim the owner of Delaware City Marina and Cory the dock master were promoting their marina. They offered $1.00 per foot for all loopers. What looper can pass that up, especially when it is a convenient location anyway? Several boats arrived together. Now, some marinas are overwhelmed by multiple boats but Tim and Cory were pros and took charge. While they docked the first boat the rest of us were instructed to stand by and wait instructions to enter the marina. One at a time we were called and they professionally docked each boat. Since we prefer a port side tie up, our boat needed to be turned around in their narrow canal. Without any help from us and with only lines they manually turned our boat around using the current in the canal. They are experts at this maneuver having turned boats as long as sixty five feet. I offered help with the engines and or bow thruster and they only wanted me to stand by the helm in case something went wrong. Amazing, turning around a 30,000 pound boat manually and totally in control.

Near dark Jan and I walked "uptown" to find the ice cream shop, even though Jan thought it would be closed, we wanted the exercise. Not only was it open but two large cones were only $5.50. I would have paid that each in many other places. After we ate our ice cream cones we stopped into the liquor store and they had Black Jack Cola! I bought two more six packs. I like this place!

After church on Sunday morning we rode our bicycles around town. It is a typical small rural town, mostly well maintained houses and nice clean streets, etc. Upon our return, as we crossed the bridge we saw Average Looper docking. We enjoy Mark and Jane's company. Obviously we had a large docktail party that night, probably close to ten boats.

Mark wasn't happy with the installation of his inverter and I was able to help him get it wired the way he wanted. Now it charges with his shore power and generator. I attached a small "ABOVE" label ahead of their Average Looper stern name so it now reads Above Average Looper. We think it is appropriate.

Monday was Memorial Day and Tim encouraged us to attend the local Memorial Day Service in the park. It reminded me of when I was a kid attending the service in New Richland. They did a very nice and respectful service. At Mass on Sunday we thought the Priest announced Mass on Memorial Day at 9:00 AM. Jan and I rode our bicycles and at five minutes before nine there were no cars there. Jan checked and the church was open but empty so we thought we had the time wrong. After the Memorial Day Service I saw the Priest and asked when Mass was. It was at nine and he had said Mass alone. He was relieved to know why he heard the church door open but no one was there.

After a pleasant stay in Delaware City with several other loopers it was time to move on. The weather was good for traveling Delaware Bay. We will certainly return here if we are ever back in the area.

This nice sign was representative of how nice the city is.

I would have considered attending the Lions meeting but my timing was wrong.

Cool banner on their light poles. It speaks well of their ability to blend the rich history of the past with the future.

Main street with the Ice Cream Shop and Liquor Store

Hotel built in 1828.

Hotel built in 1830.

They had bands here all weekend. We are our ice cream cones listening to the Friday night band.

They were very good and had a large local following. The tables were full with a long waiting line.

The Bluegrass band on Sunday afternoon was also good.

Canal house 1838.

Local houses. Many homes here are built with a common wall between each two.

Still following spring weather.

This picture doesn't show the spider web very well but it was huge and completed overnight.

The water must be mostly fresh because there aren't supposed to be spider problems in salt water areas.

It takes a huge spider to make a huge web.

Upon our departure I relocated it to the dock. It didn't deserve to die it was just doing what spiders do.

The marina view from the bridge.

You have to have them turn you around or back out all the way.

Only small boats can get under the bridge. Notice the swift current.

There is a large tide swing and current that flows swiftly both ways.

This is the other side of the bridge.

It was the original C & D canal before it was straightened and widened.

The bridge no longer opens since there is another way around it.

Cute design on the side of the marina building.

A log floating by.

Memorial Day Service in the park.

The town choir sang America the Beautiful

These guys sang a few patriotic songs.

Bagpiper.

Gold Star Sister.

They no longer have a Gold Star Mother.

Laying of the wreath.

Firing squad.

They are all currently reservists.

The guns were not as loud as I was used to.

Baltimore's Inner Harbor

Because the weather wasn't cooperating to leave Annapolis, we rented another car and visited the Inner Harbor at Baltimore. Enterprise car rental should love us by now.

Jan and I had visited there several years ago and were pleasantly surprised at the vitality of the area now. There was a lot of activity, several types of restaurants and the usual tourist attractions. We were glad we saw it again and that it is doing so well now.

This building is the Baltimore World Trade Center.

We visited the observation deck and took the pictures below.

The ship below is the Constellation.

Looking around counter clockwise is this marina.

Another lighthouse relocated or replica.

View of a submarine and a lightship.

Another view of the lightship.

There are some very nice restaurants here.

Ground view of the Constellation.

Stern of the Constellation.

Coast Guard ship.

This dolphin sculpture was made of scrap materials.

Look close and see a tricycle in the front dolphin.

Cocktails before we returned to Annapolis with Jan and Larry.

Washington DC

We rented a car in Annapolis and toured Washington DC with Larry and Jan from Panacea on Tuesday and again on Wednesday. Taking Marianne's advice we took the metro into the city from New Carrollton. That was a great suggestion. We departed the subway at the Smithsonian.

Because of the time of the year the city was overrun with students on field days from all over the country. Mostly they were well behaved and supervised. Their teachers and chaperons certainly have our respect.

On Tuesday we first toured the city on a tour bus. That always seems a good way to learn the lay of the land. Most trolleys allow you to hop on and hop off at any of their designated stops. The information given is overwhelming, it is impossible to remember more than a small amount. We returned to visit some of the attractions in more detail during the day. After lunch we walked to view the white house before we returned to our boats in Annapolis.

Returning on Wednesday we spent much of our time visiting the Smithsonian Museum. It is extremely well done! I certainly wish I had taken more pictures.

This was our first view after exiting the subway.

The Washington Monument is behind the trees.

We didn't have any problem buying our trolley tour tickets.

Here is a better picture of the Washington Monument.

The Admiral and the Captain in front of the reflecting pool.

The Lincoln Memorial was directly behind us.

The Lincoln Memorial was unbelievably huge!

This photo of Ford Theater, where Lincoln was shot, gives an idea of the number of visiting students.

The FDR Memorial.

The Martin Luther King Memorial.

Dorothy's red slippers from the Wizard of Oz

Jan's second cousin's name at the Viet Nam Memorial 

We were surprised by the accessibility of the White House.

We thought it was more remote from the rest of the buildings.

I just put my phone through the fence to get this photo.

Naval Academy

On Friday afternoon Larry from Panacea and I toured the Naval Academy. The tour was very interesting from several aspects. It was commissioning week which translates to graduation. Some of the midshipmen will be going to the Marines, others to the Navy Seals, some to train as Navy pilots, many to submarines, etc. Again as I said in a previous blog, these are the best of the best. The academy only accepts less than nine percent of their applicants. Not only are they intelligent but they are physically fit. Their training at the academy includes at least two and a half hours of physical fitness training per day.

Our tour was completely walking. Because of graduation the campus was undoubtedly busier than normal. There were many family members everywhere.The grounds were immaculate and it was a beautiful day.

Since I didn't bring a notebook to take notes I won't attest to the accuracy of the comments on the pictures below. Our tour leader told us of many traditions here. Many more than I can remember or relate.

This is one side of the largest dorm in the world. Over 4000 midshipman live here.

This is the front of the dorm. All classes, meals, medical, etc. is conducted inside this building.

The students don't need to leave the building very often.

This is the great hall inside. 

There were three of these huge crystal chandeliers in this room.

I can't imagine hanging one of them. They must weigh an awful lot and they are suspended from that glass ceiling. The bottom of the chandelier must be at least thirty feet above the floor. 

This is admirals row.

Rank certainly has its privileges here.

This is the front of one of the duplexes.

Not being in the military myself I forgot the rank of the head of the school.

It is comparable to a superintendent and quite an honor.

This is usually a four year position and the person usually retires after completion.

Many dignitaries are entertained in this house.

The front door of the church on campus.

We weren't allowed inside because of a wedding.

The midshipmen are not allowed to be married or have any dependents.

Plaque of John Paul Jones, founder of the U S Navy.

This bust of John Paul Jones is said to be life size. 

This statue is painted in various themes every year by the graduating class.

Tradition has the plebes, first year students, retrieve a hat from the top of this monument

 and replace it with another hat of a higher rank. This is a symbol that their plebe year is completed.

The graduating class covers the monument with grease or lard to increase the difficulty.

Rumor is that it took around two and a half hours this year. 

The event took place the day before our tour and the sod had already been replaced because of the lard.