Had a rather short stay in Baltimore but got a lot more information that I've been looking for.... the reason for the War of 1812. All up the Chesapeake,I've been hearing about the War of 1812. I can't say I remember having any history in school explaining what or why it was or happened. Of course maybe that was because I wasn't paying attention, which was quite often.
Day before yesterday May 17, I met several Loopers, who were docked in Annapolis.... 4 or 5 of them. There were even more that others had seen, which I didn't meet.... 3/4. While we were sitting on one of their boats having "docktails" (the terminology used for a get together to exchange BS and tell lies and drink a cool one). The subject of returning from Canada after we come back to the US, came up. I found out there is a government form one can get from Homeland Security that lets you return, on a boat from a foreign country, without having to go to a border station to check back in.
Some of these Loopers had filled out their paperwork, submitted it, and had an appointment yesterday morning for their personal interview (a requirement to get the approval). I called and asked if I got my paperwork submitted online could I join them for the personnel interview. Very nice lady said of course and to make this long story short.... I got it done! This means people with me, on my boat, don't have to personally appear at an immigration office when they return from outside the country. That includes the Bahamas, the islands, and Cuba if I go. Really a good deal!
Now FORT McHENRY..... a very important part of the history of the Chesapeake. All through my trip up this Bay, I've heard about battles between the Patriots and British. Many of the towns were named after British cities.... Oxford, Cambridge, St Micheal, etc. All towns had strong loyalties to the Crown for quite some time even after the revolution was over.
At the Fort, there was a Park Ranger, who had quite a knowledge of the history and he talked for an hour in the sun and gave an excellent lesson on this part of the War. In a nutshell the War of 1812 was fought between England and America to stop us from trading with the French!
The French and English have always fought about something and during this period Napoleon was running around and he needed our food to feed his troops. The English could never raise enough to feed their people so..... they need the food too. They thought if we were helping the French we should stop and we decided it was to our advantage to have "fair trade", something our country was founded on.
The British sent 50 war ships to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay to blockade ships carrying goods out. Much of the trading and commerce of the time was coming from this region. They were determined to cut off this supply for France.
To challenge this largest show of navel force ever assembled, America being a very young country and not wealthy enough to have raised a large naval force, could count a total of only 14 vessels among their fleet! They immediately enlisted private people with boats to raid any British ship carrying or carrying goods destined for England.
There were 1,500 British troops on these ships to be used to assault and take Baltimore. To do so they would need the help of a naval bombardment from their ships. These troops were landed on the banks of the Northern banks of the Patapsco River. They were carrying 3 days rations to sustain themselves.
The British ships maneuvered into position to bombard Fort McHenry but the amount of fire they took. They soon retreated to a safe distance out of range of the forts 1 and a half mile range guns but within range of their 2 mile bigger guns. For the next 25 hours they pounded the Fort with all they had!
Thinking was eventually the Fort would have to surrender after such an attack but as dawn arose, slowly an American flag rose too, only this time it was THREE TIMES the size of the one from the previous day! Then as was done everyday on military installations, a single cannon fired their gun to signify the beginning of the day and to show they were not giving up! Once Francis Scott Key saw this, he jotted down some verses and began to write, what has become our National Anthem.
Initially the British ground troops encountered heavy resistance from the local militia and, without support from the guns on the ships, they could not advance as predicted and made camp and ate their 1st days rations, with little to show for their efforts.
The second day they made some advances but just outside the city they met fierce resistance from a well dug in militia who had fortified their position and had to make camp and eat their 2nd days rations. Still no help from the ships who could not get close enough to damage Fort McHenry.
The third night the British loaded 500 marine reserves into small boats and, under cover of darkness, sent them around the other side of the Fort in what was to be a surprise attack. American batteries ashore heard them and began shelling them and caused them to eventually retreat without landing.
The regular army made no progress during the 3rd day and because they had run out of rations, had to begin their retreat. Soon all were back on boats headed down the Chesapeake and this was the beginning of the end of the war of 1812. All made possible by the successful defense of Baltimore. Even though it would take a 2 more years for the Treaty of Paris to be signed, for all intent and purpose, it was successful defense of Baltimore, which made that treaty possible.
For me, it was a successful day. I had learned about what the war of 1812 was all about and how the victory was eventually won by the defenders of Baltimore. After spending considerable time walking along the top of the forts ramparts and envisioning the battle taking place, it was even more rewarding next day to sail (under power of course) out the same channel where the British fleet had been anchored and maneuver my boat into the same position and see how the forts guns could have rained shell after shell on them from above.
Very late in the day we returned to the inner harbor in order to see the USS Constitution, old Ironsides, which was anchored there for visitors to tour. By the time we got to the ticket window it was 4:30 and they were closing at 5. Price for two attractions (they had 5 other historical exhibits to see) was $16 and I knew I wouldn't get to experience the full advantage of being there so I opted out until next time I return.
Tomorrow, May 19 is the final day on the Chesapeake as I go all the way up to the Chesapeake & Delaware (D&C) Canal and head East into the mouth of the Delaware River, which flows South into the Delaware Bay. 75 miles later, at the end of the Bay, we round Cape May and enter that portion of my trip which heads out into the Atlantic Ocean. Up to Atlantic City for one overnight, then on to New York, New York and by the Stature of Liberty for what will prove to be one of the highlights of my trip!
Friday, May 19, 2017
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
CHILLIN IN ANNAPOLIS.....
Actually burning up in Annapolis is more like it.
OK, we were at White Point Marina after the "DO OVER" return trip there on our aborted 1st attempt to reach Solomon Island. If you've looked at the track we laid down, no one can figure it out. I haven't really seen it because I might get dizzy. When we left WPM on Friday to get over to Solomon it was really iffy. Once I reached the point where the Potomac entered the Chesapeake it was too much for me to handle.
That taught me a lot but I was not prepared to handle that kind of turbulence. The boat was doing things I could anticipate or control so I told Celia, we have to go back. Rob was very nice and told us we made the right choice. We laid low on Sunday as the weather continued to be nasty. Winds all up the Chesapeake were 25/30 mph and tho the water was relative calm, that's no day to have fun in the sun on the water.
We saw that Monday was going to be beautiful so we opted out for leaving that day. It was, flat water clear skies, no traffic. Once we arrived there we took a drive around the boardwalk, only this was really a sidewalk like any other near a beach road. Not much to it but Celia went walking and I stopped by yet another museum!
There was one interesting thing I didn't know and hadn't seen before'. They had on display a mockup of the largest shark that has ever been on Earth, bigger than a dinosaur. It was called a MEGALOON. They went extinct about 2.5 million years ago and even though the Science Channel says they could still be alive, people who know say by 99.9% they are not.
So Tuesday we left for Annapolis in glass seas with no wind. It was a straight run up the Bay and surprisingly we saw hundreds of boaters out on the water fishing. Some were dragging lines, some crabbing, some with nets trapping fish. Ever way you can think of they were working it. Once we got closer to Annapolis there were 4 large Tankers anchored in the entrance to the harbor. Celia sat up front and took pictures of them as we passed by.
We pull into the dock and once secured, we walked up through the town. Interesting middle of the city with very small shops (not too many T-shirts tho) selling pretty expensive clothing, mostly for women. Next week is going to be their busy week here as the Naval Academy has their graduation next week. This place will be a mad house.
The bars along the waterfront have been here for awhile. We were in Middleton's yesterday that has been there since 1740 and owned b.y the same man now for 49 years. Had some of the best steamed mussels yesterday I've had in quite awhile..... and a Stella!
Going to tour the Academy today and take it easy walking around another part of town. There are 5 other Loopers that I've seen here at different docks. Lots more behind us starting to take advantage of some well deserved nice weather. I'm trying to get rid of the remnants of a nasty cold I caught last week (first one in 5 years and I hate them).
Tomorrow we leave for Baltimore and the inner harbor. A new to them boat owner who arrived yesterday said he just came from there and it was very expensive to dock there. Whatever, gotta say I was there. He said the harbor was very dirty and industrial. Maybe only stay one night and move on. Next stop afterwards will be overnight at the entrance to the C & D Canal, which will take me to the Delaware Bay. Then down that to Cape May, which we round out into the Atlantic Ocean for our trip up to Atlantic City. All this, with good weather, will take 5/6 days. We'll see!
OK, we were at White Point Marina after the "DO OVER" return trip there on our aborted 1st attempt to reach Solomon Island. If you've looked at the track we laid down, no one can figure it out. I haven't really seen it because I might get dizzy. When we left WPM on Friday to get over to Solomon it was really iffy. Once I reached the point where the Potomac entered the Chesapeake it was too much for me to handle.
That taught me a lot but I was not prepared to handle that kind of turbulence. The boat was doing things I could anticipate or control so I told Celia, we have to go back. Rob was very nice and told us we made the right choice. We laid low on Sunday as the weather continued to be nasty. Winds all up the Chesapeake were 25/30 mph and tho the water was relative calm, that's no day to have fun in the sun on the water.
We saw that Monday was going to be beautiful so we opted out for leaving that day. It was, flat water clear skies, no traffic. Once we arrived there we took a drive around the boardwalk, only this was really a sidewalk like any other near a beach road. Not much to it but Celia went walking and I stopped by yet another museum!
There was one interesting thing I didn't know and hadn't seen before'. They had on display a mockup of the largest shark that has ever been on Earth, bigger than a dinosaur. It was called a MEGALOON. They went extinct about 2.5 million years ago and even though the Science Channel says they could still be alive, people who know say by 99.9% they are not.
So Tuesday we left for Annapolis in glass seas with no wind. It was a straight run up the Bay and surprisingly we saw hundreds of boaters out on the water fishing. Some were dragging lines, some crabbing, some with nets trapping fish. Ever way you can think of they were working it. Once we got closer to Annapolis there were 4 large Tankers anchored in the entrance to the harbor. Celia sat up front and took pictures of them as we passed by.
We pull into the dock and once secured, we walked up through the town. Interesting middle of the city with very small shops (not too many T-shirts tho) selling pretty expensive clothing, mostly for women. Next week is going to be their busy week here as the Naval Academy has their graduation next week. This place will be a mad house.
The bars along the waterfront have been here for awhile. We were in Middleton's yesterday that has been there since 1740 and owned b.y the same man now for 49 years. Had some of the best steamed mussels yesterday I've had in quite awhile..... and a Stella!
Going to tour the Academy today and take it easy walking around another part of town. There are 5 other Loopers that I've seen here at different docks. Lots more behind us starting to take advantage of some well deserved nice weather. I'm trying to get rid of the remnants of a nasty cold I caught last week (first one in 5 years and I hate them).
Tomorrow we leave for Baltimore and the inner harbor. A new to them boat owner who arrived yesterday said he just came from there and it was very expensive to dock there. Whatever, gotta say I was there. He said the harbor was very dirty and industrial. Maybe only stay one night and move on. Next stop afterwards will be overnight at the entrance to the C & D Canal, which will take me to the Delaware Bay. Then down that to Cape May, which we round out into the Atlantic Ocean for our trip up to Atlantic City. All this, with good weather, will take 5/6 days. We'll see!
Sunday, May 14, 2017
AFTER THE OIL CHANGE…..
I wanted to get up to the Soloman Islands as soon I could so after Tom finished changing the oil, checking the engines, I decided to cast off for a short 3+ hours ride down the Potomac around the Point then up the Chesapeake. The 1.5 hour ride across the Potomac was testy but easily done but once I rounded the Point, King Neptune had a surprise in store for me!
I was hit with Wind, Current,
Waves, Tides, Convenulence of different bodies of water, Crap Traps, etc. All
these things together made for an impossible condition. After fighting them for
30 minutes…. I gave up and decided it was better to “live to fight another
day”.
There wasn’t really any
alternative port available to get outa my perdictment but finally I got PHANTOM
turned and headed back to the marina I had left from. You may ask “why if it
was so rough”? My answer is I could surf her back on the waves and use the push
from them as a boost. Took less time to get back and Rob was waiting at the
dock.
After tying up, getting a
warm shower, off we went to BACK DRAFT for their Friday night special of Steak
& Lobster as a reward for making the right choice to return to a safe port.
BACK DRAFT…. THE RESTAURANT!
I have to write about our experience(s) at Back Draft. Our first experience with food in this area was at Tim’s up at Cole Point. You have to remember that nothing is really open around here until Memorial Day and of course Monday’s were never a big restaurant day anywhere. That was where Rob recommended us go on our initial visit to his marina. Now we have a choice since it was Thursday…. and that’s Back Draft’s big special day!
Back Draft is owned by a
retire Fireman of course. Very sparse building with a restaurant on one side
and a Smoking Bar on the other! Plenty of patches from fire departments around
the walls and fire extinguishers & hydrants too.
The Thursday special is All
U-Can-Eat for $23.95! But wait, expensive you say, but I haven’t told you what
you get to eat…..
How about Shrimp fixed 3
different ways…. scampi (that means broiled with garlic & butter , fried,
or broiled OR Fish (cod, grouper, and 2 or 3 other choices) OR BBQ (ribs,
pulled pork/beef).
Good enough for me, I’ll have
scampi shrimp, Celia fried shrimp. Oh I forgot, hush puppies, & FF
included. It came and was delicious. We ate our portions and they were large
and ordered more fixed differently. After the 2nd portion I changed
to ribs and Celia quit. After ribs I went back to more shrimp fried. Not a bad
night for good food. Only problem was they had store bought pies. Seems like
the local lady who used to make their desserts, especially apple pudding, quit.
Sucks!!!
Well since the weather sent
us back here Back Draft has another special for Friday night. Steak &
Lobster. Back in the truck, back to Back Draft. Lobster looked huge but meat
was meager. Steak was filet m. and very good.
EAT'IN IN RUAL VA AT TIM'S
Anyway, I talked to Rob the owner about having a
new wireless autopilot controller installed and hopefully on my return trip
back down the Potomac there will be an electronics installer ready to do just
that.... install it. One issue I've been trying to get taken care of is
windshield wipers. I have none, can't find anyone with them in stock, and most
don't want to fool with them. Rob had his people come out to the boat and
measure my windows and he's going to try to have them by the time I get back.
Lastly, by the time I'm there again I'll have my 200 hours on the oil and
they'll do the oil change for me and send off the oil analysis to CAT for me.
You normally don't get things scheduled this quick
but one thing I learned while there was that their tourist season doesn't start
until Labor Day or about 3 weeks from now. PHANTOM was the only boat in the
water in the marina! Looked lonely sitting there by herself but I'm really glad
I was cold and wanted to stop. If any other Loopers happen to read this blog,
you will not find a better HOST that Rob and White Point Marina (804-472-2977).
Oh and I forgot to say, I asked about eating. Rob
said most places were closed on Monday but he'd check. Later he came by and
said try this place..... Tim's Riverfront Restaurant at Coles Marina.
"Here" he said "are the keys to my truck. Take it and I've drawn
you a detailed map on how to get there, but you have to go down some little
country roads" like it was a big deal. It wasn't because I was raised on
more country roads that they were BUT this marina is out in the sticks.... with
no Verizon signal. It's like being somewhere in space with no lifeline. Serious
panic for some on PHANTOM, huh C?
We pulled up to Tim's Riverfront and there was an
old rustic log home boarded up that overlooked the most beautiful view of
anywhere I've ever seem. Fantastic views of the Potomac for at lease 20 miles
up and down the river.
Well it didn't look crowded.... actually there was
a car there when we drove up but as we were taking photos, they came out and
drove off. When we went inside there was one guy sitting at the bar. I asked
the tattooed, with tongue, ear, lip, and who knows where else, rings piecing
all kinds of body parts..... how long is the wait? Anyway, I talked to Rob the
owner about having a new wireless autopilot controller installed and hopefully
on my return trip back down the Potomac there will be an electronics installer
ready to do just that.... install it. One issue I've been trying to get taken
care of is windshield wipers. I have none, can't find anyone with them in
stock, and most don't want to fool with them. Rob had his people come out to
the boat and measure my windows and he's going to try to have them by the time
I get back. Lastly, by the time I'm there again I'll have my 200 hours on the
oil and they'll do the oil change for me and send off the oil analysis to CAT
for me.
You normally don't get things scheduled this quick
but one thing I learned while there was that their tourist season doesn't start
until Labor Day or about 3 weeks from now. PHANTOM was the only boat in the
water in the marina! Looked lonely sitting there by herself but I'm really glad
I was cold and wanted to stop. If any other Loopers happen to read this blog,
you will not find a better HOST that Rob and White Point Marina (804-472-2977).
Oh and I forgot to say, I asked about eating. Rob
said most places were closed on Monday but he'd check. Later he came by and
said try this place..... Tim's Riverfront Restaurant at Coles Marina.
"Here" he said "are the keys to my truck. Take it and I've drawn
you a detailed map on how to get there, but you have to go down some little
country roads" like it was a big deal. It wasn't because I was raised on
more country roads that they were BUT this marina is out in the sticks.... with
no Verizon signal. It's like being somewhere in space with no lifeline. Serious
panic for some on PHANTOM, including me, huh C?
We pulled up to Tim's Riverfront and there was an
old rustic log home boarded up that overlooked the most beautiful view of
anywhere I've ever seem. Fantastic views of the Potomac for at lease 20 miles
up and down the river.
Well it didn't look crowded.... actually there was a car there when we
drove up but as we were taking photos, they came out and drove off. When we
went inside there was one guy sitting at the bar. I asked the tattooed, with
tongue, ear, lip, and who knows where else, rings piecing all kinds of body
parts..... how long is the wait?
SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE....
I know everyone thinks I've disappeared but I've just been without WiFi for a couple of days and could not publish anything. Now you have something to do with your idle time while I freeze. Actually this is one day we awoke to sunshine so we're moving to Solomons to take advantage. With all the cold and rainy weather I've finally caught a cold (ugh) after 5 years at least not having one. Whatever, onward I charge!
GEORGE's FARM back to WHITE PT MARINA
WHAT A FUN RIDE BACK DOWN THE POTOMAC….. I sent a video clip to several people and they could just look at it and say “WoW”! To give you some perspective of what it was like…. if you added the effects of a rolla coaster, to rides at water world, to the roughest carnival ride you’ve ever experienced, and add in some sound effects plus what it would be like sitting in the motor compartment of a double motor 18 wheeler….. you’d pretty much have what it was like….. and it wasn’t even THAT ROUGH !!!
After an absolutely perfect day visiting Mount Vernon (Home of George Washington for those who didn’t know, but were afraid to ask because they’d be ridiculed). Once in the DC area, I contacted Rich and Barb Courtney, who now live in Fairfax VA. They were friends from Germany and I’ve had in mind visiting them if I took this trip. Both have had some health issues recently but now are doing much better and we all spent the day visiting the beautiful gardens of Washington’s home. Afterwards, we stopped for some food and drink and talked of earlier times. Seeing them again after 20 years has been one of the highlights of my trip so far.
The grounds of MV are beautiful, well maintained, and it left me with a feeling of being on hallowed ground. Think about walking where Washington walked and seeing what he accomplished. He was a master politician but not in the same sense as the ones we have today. He knew when it was time for him to quit….. and he did! Today, 535 should all quit after 2 terms! Enough opinion on this for today.
Several things puzzled me about this experience. The grounds were filled with school kids on field trips, their teachers, and chaperons. Most were very well behaved, having fun, giggling and talking as they strolled throughout. I wondered if any of them realized the historical meaning of this man since nothing much is taught in school these days about our history. A few might know he cut down a cherry tree at and early age but how many would know he fought for the British before taking command of the Continental Army?
Our heritage is being changed, not by history, but rather by street gangs and people with little respect for what this country has achieved in a very short period of time. Minority groups are destroying the heritage, which some of the bravest men to live fought and died for because they believed it was right, not because they would gain something for doing so.
Mount Vernon is NOT owned by the people of the United States but rather by a “Women’s Group”. Not because it is a woman’s but just the fact that it is a Private Group, and not the people, I offended! Because there were so many people there, we were RUSHED through the grounds, house, and descriptions of Washington’s life like cattle. The narrators were courteous but short and clearly wanted us to move on quickly. $20 for a quickie with the “Father of Our Country” I call it.
But wait, the best is yet to come. Also on the grounds are a Museum and Historical sections. Glancing quickly through the museum you could see a pattern staring to develop...... one of the abused slave! But the next exhibit came at you full force. All the things that were done to blacks, especially those who worked for Washington. So our hero took advantage of slaves! Many people did but this was THE MAN. He did give them their freedom when he died. Martha lived an additional 3 years before she died and her own slaves were property given to others.
This means pretty soon that George and Martha will be disgraced, pictures and statues will be destroyed, and memories of them will be replaced. It makes me sad that names like Trevon Martin, Harvey Milk, and whoever the most popular is Rapper will be known and discussed more in school.
Pardon my soap box but I’m just offended that the biggest landowner in the US doesn’t own Mt Vernon, that it’s been turned into a propaganda tool, and that our History and Heritage is quickly being lost!
Have a good day!
After an absolutely perfect day visiting Mount Vernon (Home of George Washington for those who didn’t know, but were afraid to ask because they’d be ridiculed). Once in the DC area, I contacted Rich and Barb Courtney, who now live in Fairfax VA. They were friends from Germany and I’ve had in mind visiting them if I took this trip. Both have had some health issues recently but now are doing much better and we all spent the day visiting the beautiful gardens of Washington’s home. Afterwards, we stopped for some food and drink and talked of earlier times. Seeing them again after 20 years has been one of the highlights of my trip so far.
The grounds of MV are beautiful, well maintained, and it left me with a feeling of being on hallowed ground. Think about walking where Washington walked and seeing what he accomplished. He was a master politician but not in the same sense as the ones we have today. He knew when it was time for him to quit….. and he did! Today, 535 should all quit after 2 terms! Enough opinion on this for today.
Several things puzzled me about this experience. The grounds were filled with school kids on field trips, their teachers, and chaperons. Most were very well behaved, having fun, giggling and talking as they strolled throughout. I wondered if any of them realized the historical meaning of this man since nothing much is taught in school these days about our history. A few might know he cut down a cherry tree at and early age but how many would know he fought for the British before taking command of the Continental Army?
Our heritage is being changed, not by history, but rather by street gangs and people with little respect for what this country has achieved in a very short period of time. Minority groups are destroying the heritage, which some of the bravest men to live fought and died for because they believed it was right, not because they would gain something for doing so.
Mount Vernon is NOT owned by the people of the United States but rather by a “Women’s Group”. Not because it is a woman’s but just the fact that it is a Private Group, and not the people, I offended! Because there were so many people there, we were RUSHED through the grounds, house, and descriptions of Washington’s life like cattle. The narrators were courteous but short and clearly wanted us to move on quickly. $20 for a quickie with the “Father of Our Country” I call it.
But wait, the best is yet to come. Also on the grounds are a Museum and Historical sections. Glancing quickly through the museum you could see a pattern staring to develop...... one of the abused slave! But the next exhibit came at you full force. All the things that were done to blacks, especially those who worked for Washington. So our hero took advantage of slaves! Many people did but this was THE MAN. He did give them their freedom when he died. Martha lived an additional 3 years before she died and her own slaves were property given to others.
This means pretty soon that George and Martha will be disgraced, pictures and statues will be destroyed, and memories of them will be replaced. It makes me sad that names like Trevon Martin, Harvey Milk, and whoever the most popular is Rapper will be known and discussed more in school.
Pardon my soap box but I’m just offended that the biggest landowner in the US doesn’t own Mt Vernon, that it’s been turned into a propaganda tool, and that our History and Heritage is quickly being lost!
Have a good day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)