When we
first started planning this trip, in what now seems like a former life, one of
the most exciting things for me to think about was having family and friends
visit us on the boat, wherever we were. As planning went forward, we started to
realize how hard it would be to plan visits. Dear friends told us they wanted
to come see us for Spring Break, where would we be? Well, we couldn't answer
that question, and if you are flying from New York to anywhere warm for Spring
Break, you don't want to purchase your tickets at the last minute, if you can
get them at all. I mean we are good friends, but I didn't want to send anyone
into bankruptcy for a visit.
As it
turned out, with the way this adventure has played out, it was good that nobody
bought tickets to meet us in The Islands at a certain time. We never made it
there! And although I am sure a mid-winter or spring vacation in the Islands
would have been wonderful without us there, I like to think it would have been
just a little disappointing for them.
This is
not to say we did not see friends, and when we did, it was great. I think I
have written before that as much fun as we have had, and new experiences, and
meeting new people, the hardest thing about this trip has been missing our
friends. So whenever we had the chance to visit, we took it. Sometimes spending
a few hours in the car, just to spend a day with those we had left in NY.
When we
came back to the boat, here in Annapolis, that put us much closer to our home
in Albany, and we knew we were staying put, until we head north to rejoin
reality. So we, finally had our first visitors to stay with us on FORTUITOUS!
The Allen family came to visit over the Memorial Day weekend, and it was a
blast! There couldn't have been a more perfect weather window (okay, our heavy
boat could have used a few more knots of wind for the sailing), it was sunny,
and in the high 70's, and even the water in the bay was warm enough for
swimming (the kids, not the adults)!
Saturday
after they arrived, we unplugged the boat, and took her out into the
Chesapeake, we sailed to an anchorage just north of Herring Bay, the Rhode
River, where we had anchored once before. It was a beautiful day, and an easy
sail up there. We got in early, and that was good, because the anchorage was filling
with boats. Later that evening we were joined by the owner of Endeavor, the
boat we help race, Steve and his wife Beth. We rafted up, tying their boat to
ours, and had a proper dinner party, with lots of visiting and fun.
There
was swimming, paddle boarding, dinghy-ing, and playing on a sand bar lots of
food and Beverages were consumed, and we all slept well "on the hook"
in a calm anchorage under a beautiful moon. The kids were beside themselves
with excitement at all there was to do, and all the catching up from so many
months apart.
The next
day, Steve and Beth headed off on Endeavor, and we eventually brought up the
anchor, heading back closer to our dock. Though we anchored another night, just
outside marina, enjoying the gentle rocking you get while on the hook, in a
protected bay, in calm. Though we wanted to be close, so we wouldn't be rushed
the next morning to get back in time for the Allen's to make their drive
home. There was time for more swimming,
paddle boarding, dinghy rides, and checking out the local beach. Then we had to
pack it all up, and raise the anchor once again, this time heading toward
another goodbye.
It was a
wonderful time, and we all appreciate them making the trip (I do not envy the
holiday traffic), and it was hard to say goodbye. I know we will be back soon
enough, and see them, and so many others we have missed over this last year,
but sometimes it is hard to bridge the gap. I guess until then, perusing photos
will have to suffice.
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