17 Jun 14

It was hot again early, but we got up and got going in time to catch the 09:00 Spa Creek Bridge opening. We then did the 27 mile run up to Baltimore, where it was even hotter. We came in past the Francis Scott Key Memorial Buoy (presumably where the British ship was anchored while he was drafting the “Start Spangled Banner”) and Ft. McHenry, plus a load of cargo ship loading terminals. After we checked into the marina, and got the A/C turned on, Terri found a salon where she could get her hair done and I found a sports bar where I could stay out of the heat and watch the Brazil v Mexico match. Another good match. After docktails, Terri found a neighborhood bistro, somewhat forgettable, where we had a decent light meal.  

18 Jun 14

The heat wave shows no sign of abating, but we dutifully got on the tourist trail and rode the bus into town to see the USS Constellation, the last US naval ship built strictly for sail. Good tour, and Hal got to help run out the 9-pounder cannon for the noon firing; good fun. We got back to the boat for a late lunch, spent an hour cleaning house, took showers and then walked over to Bo Brooks to watch Spain v Chile (Chile won, thus eliminating defending champions Spain - what a shock) before we met Terri’s sister’s sister-in-law, Alice and her husband Woody, both of whom work at Johns Hopkins here in Baltimore, for dinner at Bo Brooks, world-famous crab house. We had a very nice meal and a great chat with Woody and Alice. They now have a country house near Havre de Grace, so we may stop up there for a visit in a couple of days.

19 Jun 14

Unbelievable thunderstorms last night; for 3 hours, we had cloud-to-cloud lightning that ripped continuously from one side of the horizon to the other - one could practically read by the light. But very few strikes hit the ground near us; other than the lost sleep, in was uneventful. The rain cooled things off a bit and it was pleasant in the morning. We went shopping for groceries, adult beverages and marine supplies and got back around noon. Then, Terri did a couple of loads of laundry while I did some routine maintenance on a winch and cleaned off black spots from the cockpit coaming. Later, I watched England lose to Uruguay 2 - 1; that’s it for England, I’m afraid. We ate dinner at some sports bar at O’Donnell Square; nothing to write home to mom about.