Log of the ELISSA II: July 6-7 Herrington Harbor South to Annapolis

07/06: Away at 1000 under sunny skies and trailing south winds at 15+, waves 2-3’, a sleigh ride! Heavy pleasure craft (PC) traffic all the way. Detoured up the West R. to Galesville to re-visit site where we began a charter many years ago. Approaching Thomas Point Light the PC traffic began to resemble a traffic jam and from then on until we reached a slip in the Annapolis City Marina 30 miles and 4 hours after we began it Thank you Steve and Carolyn for a wonderful weekend. Was like playing Dodgem. Late afternoon Stu Harshbarger and his daughter Sarah for a recreational beverage and conversation about boats joined us. Specifically about one boat, the Seaward 26RK that we knew as the Elissa Anne and that the Harshargers know as Danse Lune (Dancing Moon and forgive me Stuart if I have butchered the spelling). They are the current owners and, though we spoke numerous times after they purchased her we hadn’t met in person. Was nice to know that she has brought them the same great pleasure as she did for the Sweeneys. Topped off the day with a delicious meal and spectacular sunset at Carrolls Creek Cafe, restaurant about a 9 iron shot from our slip and overlooking Annapolis Harbor. Bonnie: In the winter of 1978 I read an article in the Washington Post re: chartering sailing vessels on the Chesapeake Bay. I was intrigued. So April 1978 Heather and Dave Dauer (with whom we shared a day sailor on the Potomac), Elizabeth (5 y/o), Melissa (3 y/o), Bill and I chartered a Watkins 27 from a marina in Galesville. While the sloop had a few structural and functional challenges, in addition to size (small) we 6 realized how “close” friends we were AND were hooked!!! From then on (1978-84, 1987-88) we chartered sloops of various sizes once or twice a year for Chesapeake Bay sails. This continued in 1989 following our move to Indiana and we’d charter on Lake Michigan. The rest is history. As Bill said approaching Annapolis was busy. someone on the radio compared it to DC traffic!!! We hadn’t necessarily planned to eat out BUT after looking at the menu, we couldn’t resist the Southwestern scallops. Sautéed perfectly and served in a cilantro cream sauce, with a black bean and corn medley topped with guacamole!!

Thomas Point Light

Annapolis Marina--only 1 of them

Southwestern Scallops

Carrols Creek Cafe--too close not to go!!!

07/07: A lay day in Annapolis featuring…I was looking forward to a day of visiting the US Naval Academy and wandering the streets of Annapolis. And I was not disappointed. I’ll let the photos tell the story!