After buying our boat that was docked at Cutter Marina (Essex, MD), we departed Baltimore, Maryland on May 15, 2019.
We headed out about 12:15 (noonish) on our way to Chesapeake City, MD and made it there in 3 hours.
We tied up at the free Chesapeake City dock because Sam is a pilot. Now, it’s time for my favorite joke.
Do you know how copper wire was invented?
Two pilots fighting over a penny.
Our Journey
We left and some of our neighbors helped us shove off and wished us well.
Cousin Rus from Pennsylvania is with us for moral support.
The weather was perfect.
It was a three hour tour but we made out much better than Gilligan and the Skipper.
New Friends Already
When we pulled into the Chesapeake City dock, Sam acted like he had been docking all his life.
He had only done it twice before. With help. A lot of help.
But when it was time, he was the professional captain that I was hoping he would be. So smooth.
Me, on the other hand, I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off.
My job is working the lines (making sure the ropes are tied to the dock and the fenders are up in the right place.)
Even with calm, cool and collected Cousin Rus here, I was nervous.
Fortunately, the couple that was already docked in front of us, came out and helped us with the lines. God bless Dennis and Julie. 🙂
They were headed back to their home in New Hampshire after boating for months all over.
We are finding out that boating people are kind and helpful as if they remember what it’s like being out in a big boat on their first day.
I like that.
New Great Loop Friends
Right after we docked, another boat came in with the America’s Great Loop Cruiser’s Association (AGLCA) flag flying. They were on their first day of the loop also.
What are the chances of that?
So we met Michael and Kathleen McGill on Apres Sail. They are from Annapolis, MD and were at the AGLCA’s Spring Rendezvous that we attended last week.
We didn’t meet them there but we have already learned a lot from them during that short meeting.
We Need Power
Next step, now that we are docked for free, we need power.
And not the cut throat, egotistical kind.
We need electricity to make our floating home livable.
We tried to hook up power on the free city doc pedestals but it did not work. At all.
So, we had to run our Inverter, whatever that is, and occasionally the generator to survive.
Apparently, we have a generator so we can power up everything while we anchor out. However, Sam doesn’t like to use the generator and leave an engine running when we are sleeping.
This would have been really good information to know before we even bought this thing.
He first turned on the generator and I put the AC in our bedroom on 65 to really get some chill going.
Then, he had the nerve to turn it off.
Menopause and no AC do not even work. Can I get an AMEN, sisters?
I don’t care if we are this far north. I NEED AC!
I did have a small fan all night blowing on my face which was powered by the Inverter. So that was little consolation.
Sam was up every hour watching the Inverter so I would say he did not get a good night’s sleep.
I took a Tylenol PM so I slept great. Kinda great. I mean, I didn’t have an air conditioner so there’s that. Did you know we are from Texas? The land of sweet refrigeration.
Anyway, we made it through our first night on our first day of traveling around America’s Great Loop.
Our Thoughts
Pictures of Our Stay in Chesapeake City, Maryland
Love it! Yes understand the AC situation, lol
Right, Maggie? I mean come on!
Love this! Keep us informed please 🙂
You got it, Rick! Glad you are coming along with us!
Congratulations on day one. May you enjoy many many more like 10 or 12 months at the very least.
Thank you so much, Lauren. We are moving forward!
Great account of your first day!! The best is yet to come!! Relax and enjoy!!
Theresa and Tim Gaffney
M/V The Home Office
Gold Loopers April 2018
Relax? Enjoy? I kept forgetting to do that. I was a nervous wreck!
AH the woes of the first days of challenges of docking when there is no AC to be had! Yes running the generator is a pain to listen to the hummm of the motor running. Compromise to have power to do the necessary is vital. Thanks for having a generator!
Have you planned your next stop?
You will soon get to be a pro at tying up when docking. That’s Boating! Tony B.
Hi Tony! And thanks for being so encouraging. But seriously, why even have a generator if we can’t use it for emergencies like needing air conditioning??? LOL
Really enjoyed reading your first day. Hope to talk my wife into doing the loop with me someday. Looking forward to the rest of your journey. Thanks for sharing !
Tell your wife that I started out living my husband’s dream but now I am surprised how much I like living on a boat. I’m too new at being a deck hand to give her encouragement about that but check back later. I may learn to enjoy doing that too!
For times like that without electricity, get yourself a battery operated fan ( Walmart, might be cheaper than West Marine) and a spray bottle of water, spray yourself down with water then get in front of the fan , your clothes might get wet but you will dry off and cool down.
Oh, Dixie, I love you!!! What a great idea and I will definitely be on the lookout for a fan like that! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Boy does that sound familiar. It does get easier, you will become familiar with the boat’s capabilities and you already found your captain to be very competent. A small fan is all we ever have when not plugged in, also. You will meet so many wonderful people, it is just unbelievable . Have fun!
Thanks, Debbie! If we could open our windows, to get a breeze going, it would be different. I think I’ll buy a few more fans. LOL
You did it!! A great first day and terrific docking. Sorry about the A/C. Chesapeake City pictures are beautiful. Hope your second day went as well and your night at Cape May, NJ too. Looking forward to your pictures and videos!!
Thanks, Mom!!! Well, I have learned a lot about adapting to new situations. But it hasn’t really stopped me from complaining! LOL
Great adventure, Only the first of many I would surmise. We have just purchased our boat the “Sassafras” she is a 36 Albin Express. Cant wate to join you on the water. Love the joke by the way. You guys have fun. Win you get To Beaufort SC, Look us up maybe we Debby and I could invite you for a meal on the Sassafras. We are at the Port Royal landing marina. Till then
Chow.
Congrats on your boat purchase! I love the name. We look forward to meeting you and Debby once we get to Beaufort. That seems like such a long time away but we’ll get there!
This is so awesome and I am soooooo jealous!!! I love reading your posts.
Thanks cuz! If only the great loop went over to OK, you could jump on!
Hello! Very good looking blog design! I’d love to know the software tools you used to design it. thanks.
Hey, thanks, Rick! I use WordPress.com and then a free theme called Travel Diaries By Rara. I downloaded the demo and then made changes to fit our site. Good luck.
Generators are a most wonderful thing…for cooking, making coffee, and cooling down the boat. HOWEVER, you do NOT want to run it at night. We had a couple in our marina die from carbon monoxide that collected in their boat from their generator. They were running it to power their AC. CO is odorless and extremely deadly. When we are anchored or at free docks with no power, we open the boat up at night and use battery operated fans (the camping section of Walmart, Target or order on Amazon). It’s tough when it’s hot and humid, but when you get north into Canada this summer, it won’t be hot at night. Basically you will be following comfortable weather around the USA and CA on the Loop. Good luck and enjoy the adventure!
Paula Sue Russell
Ocean Breeze
Bayliner Pilothouse 4788
http://oceanbreeze-lake-erie.blogspot.com
Platinum Loopers (2010-2011 & 2014-2015)
Well, I certainly didn’t come on this trip to get dead so thank you for that. Battery operated fans it is!
True the same thing happened to a couple on Long Island were I’m from last year. I never run Benny at night
Genny ! Spell check lol
Don’t they have carbon monoxide alarms that you could put in the boat to alert you if there is a problem? We have a 36’ Grand Banks trawler and are planning on beginning the Great Loop from Florida March 2022. I can’t wait. But, in the meantime, I will just tag along with you guys on your adventure!
We have those alarms in both staterooms. Congrats on your trawler. We have been planning this for the past couple of years. I can’t believe it’s here and we are finally doing it. I am so excited you will be coming along with us!
We have watched all your you tube videos. However, since we are departing Jacksonville FL March 2022, I have decided to go back and read your blogs for possible items of interest that you share
Fantastic! Really excited for you that you have selected your departure date. 🙂