Washinggton, DC-Alexandria-Indianapolis-Joint Base Anacostia Bolling Marina, DC 5/31-6/23/2014

5/31:  Left CYC at 1130 on a beautiful warm, sunny day with Rosemary & Dick Schwartzbard (friends we met through the Potomac Valley Skiers.  Took a leisurely cruise up the Potomac to a (relatively) quiet spot upstream of Georgetown where we dropped the hook and had a delightful lunch.  On the way Dick talked about his youth in the area and about how much the sights have changed over the years.  Arrived back at CYC at 1415.  Left CYC at again at 1430 on a beautiful warm, sunny day with Melissa & Tim plus three of their friends.  Again it was back to Georgetown, this time with snacks, cocktails & wine.  We arrived back at the Yacht Club dock at 1730.  All in all, a delightful day.  Bonnie: Rosemary provided a wonderful meal of the most delicious Lox I’ve had, bagels and all the “trappings. I had a shrimp salad-couldn’t pass that up with the fish market next door. While at the market I bought 2 soft shelled crabs for Tim. With the help from Jim, one of their friends along for the cruise, we sautéed them in lots of butter. Do believe Tim was rather pleased. It was a beautiful day for 2 cruises to Georgetown and all the DC monuments in-between. Upon our return, Melissa, Tim, Bill and I took a cab to a wonderful Thai restaurant. I know we’ll eat well once we visit them in Bangkok.

Georgetown

Dick hosing the anchor

Skiing Buds on a Boat..Rosemary and Dick

Jim the master seafood chef

Tim's soft schelled crabTim enjoying HIS SSC!!

Melissa and Tim

A beautiful sloop with a so peaceful name...Peace in Swahili and Thai and To Your Health in French!

6/01:  Said farewell to new friends and staff at the Capitol Yacht Club and moved boat some 9 miles downstream to the Alexandria VA City Marina where we planned to stay for a week before putting the boat up and driving back for a 10 stay in Indy.  I’ll let Bonnie explain why we chose Alexandria (a great place on the water in Old Towne Alexandria) Bonnie: Why we chose Alexandria? Elizabeth’s new job at Ft Hood, TX is Deputy Inspector General for 3^rd Corps. The job required her to attend a 3 week course at Ft Belvoir VA. The 3 weeks coincided with Mike assuming Command of a Battalion and going to the field with his troops for the same 3 weeks. Hmmm, what does one do with a 5 y/o, 9 m/o twins and an Au Pair who has just arrived from Turkey? Well, you just bring them along! She rented a Townehome in Alexandria=we were conveniently in the Municipal Marina. ..a nice walk away. Meridian joined us on the Elissa II and we enjoyed a couple days playing in the area.

Greeting Meridian, Iris and Semra

Pancakes on the Elissa II

Smithsonian Insect Zoo 

African Hissing Cockroach

Ember

Iris--love those Sweeney Parsons Blue Eyes!

6/04:  We have had a VERY special new crewmember added to the boat on June 2^nd.  Lovely granddaughter Meridian joined us and will be part of the Elissa’s crew and with us on the road trip home to Indiana.  When we return to the boat on June 20^th she will rejoin her Mom & sisters for their return flight to Fort Hood, TX Today was Meridian’s “shake down” cruoise and she did very well, driving the boat and avoiding river debris.  We left Alex at 1200 with guests Bill & Ellen Price (parents of one of Elizabeth’s very best High School friends).  Again it was a lovely day.  We did a cruise under the Memorial Bridge, then returned to the Washington Channel where we anchored for lunch and for Ellen & Meridian, Jelly Bean UNO.  Back in slip at 1530.  Bonnie: One of the pleasures of visiting DC is being able to connect with all our friends. One was Brenda Caricofe who was Elizabeth and Melissa’s 1^st and 2^nd grade teacher in Dale City. It was fun having her visit aboard the Elissa II and seeing Elizabeth in one of her “all grown up” roles as a Mom to 3!!

Dinner at Mt Vernon

Jelly Bean Uno Granma Ellen Price and Meridian

Brenda Caricoff and her 1st grade student

Semra playing with Ember and Iris in the cabin

Momie Daughter time, finally!

New friend on neighboring sloop

Semra and Ember and Iris

Best friends

                                                                                       Bob and Barrie Bavis

6/07-23:  Enjoyed a cruise with Elizabeth, Melissa, Meridian and Semra up the river  and then to Joint Base Anacostia Bolling’s Marina. I got to enjoy caring for Ember and Iris and walking the Streets of Alexandria. We left that evening for Indiana via an overnight in West Virginia with Bob and Barrie Bavis. After 10 days at home, which included an all too quick visit from my sister Michele and her family, we returned to Alexandria on June 19. Enjoyed a family dinner June 20 and bid farewell to the Texas girls. Remained in the area for a couple days to enjoy visits with friends and a wonderful Sushi dinner at SEI with Melissa and Tim.