The other week I got the Sex and the City video and watched it while drinking champagne. The show was about the power of friendship so when it was over I was VERY homesick...missing my sisters and girlfriends in Dayton. I went to bed and tried not to cry, but couldn't hold back. Bill, being the sweetheart that he is, got up out of bed and looked up airline tickets. He found a great price for an airline ticket to Dayton and suggested that a trip home would do me good. (I've been battling homesickness for some time now).
As it turns out, his brother and son had called that same day to say they were driving over for a visit. So it all turned out great. I got to go home and see my family and friends. And Bill and the boys had the boat to themselves for a week of male bonding.
I only have two photos, so I'll start with my story.
Boop Goes Home
Fri. 9/26, 6:30 am: it was still dark when we set out in the dink to go into town. It was high tide so the water was over the breakwall on Ego Alley near the Marriott. Bill was going to go with me to wait for the shuttle bus, but in our hurry to leave the boat, he'd forgotten his shoes. I kissed him good-bye and told him to stay out of trouble. I walked to the Marriott and got the shuttle van to the airport. Got into Dayton early afternoon and was met by my sister Sue (the only person I had told of my trip.)
She took me into town and I had a ball surprising people. You should have seen the faces of the WOT team when I walked into the office! What a hoot. And the big grin that came across my Dad's face when I walked into his house was priceless. We had a dinner Saturday night at Sue's farm with my Dad, Patty, Jessica and my grandson's Mark and Sam. Sue's grandson JD was also there. The boys had so much fun that they asked to spend the night at the farm. They got to put the chickens to bed in the evening, then were up early in the morning to let the chickens back out. On Sunday I went to mass with Dad and Patty. It was so special to say the Our Father while holding Dad's hand. He always gives your hand a little squeeze at the end to say "I love you." Needless to say, my eyes were filled with tears of gratitude. After mass, we went to lunch along with my sister Marianne. Donna (who lives in NC) called while we were eating. Seems it's tough to keep a secret in this family!
During the week's visit I worked every day at the office since this is the busiest time of year. In fact, it was so busy we didn't have time to do our managers meeting like we'd hoped. But it did feel good to be at work again to help out with the workload. I finished up the week with another family dinner at my Dad's on Friday and a WOT night at Jennifer's on Saturday. It was a wonderful week at home. Thanks a million to Sue and Patty for their hospitality during the week. I'm now back at the boat and feeling recharged and ready to go south after the boat show.
Sue, me and Patty with mother's champagne bucket...toasting to the power of sisters.
JD, Mark and Sam having breakfast at the farm.
Bill and the boys...a week of Chesapeake sailing and Annapolis beverages
Greg and Chris arrived on Fri. 9/26 around 4 pm. Bill said it was great to see them again. They parked the car and went by dinghy to their floating accommodations. What a way to travel! To throw your stuff in a dinghy and ride to a boat. The first night, they hung out and caught up on stories. Saturday it rained all day, so again, they were boat-bound. Sunday they went into Annapolis and walked around a bit to see the sights then went to the Federal House to have some beers and watch football. Monday, the skies cleared up so they took the boat into town to top off the water tanks, wash the boat, then go sailing. They left the city docks at 9:30 am and got back in time to catch the 4pm opening of the Spa Creek bridge to return to our mooring ball. A funfilled day of sailing on the high seas...well, at least the Chesapeake.
Chris at the dock, filling water tanks. Our friend, Stan from Harbor North, is on the dock.
Chris, ready to trim, upon Captain's orders.
Greg, taking his turn at the helm.
On Tuesday, they toured the U.S. Naval Academy. It's full of interesting history and artifacts.
Midshipmen line up for inspection before lunch.
Impressive Bancroft Hall where the midshipmen live. The painting on the wall depicts a naval battle.
On Wednesday, Bill had a dental appointment in the morning, so Chris and Greg tooled around in the dink to see the sites.
Chris, having a good time in Spa Creek.
After Bill's appointment, the guys went over to BackCreek to visit Stan Mathey from Harbor North. He was having problems with his exhaust elbow. The guys pitched in to help him install a new one. PainKiller's were involved in the afternoon's festivities. Chris went over to pick up Stan's boating neighbor, Tokki, a long time sailing woman from South Africa. She had a couple drinks with the guys then Chris took her back to her boat. Soon after, they heard Tokki yelling, "Hey, what's that floating by?" Turns out Chris did not tie up the dink securely. Stan took him on his dink to retrieve the vessel. Needless to say, Chris got a lot of ribbing as well as intense instructions in Knot Tying 101.
Chris and Stan going to retrieve our poor dink, alone in the grass.
Bringing the wayward dink back. Stan sure is a lot cheaper than TowBoat US!!!
Chris and Bill after a funfilled week in the sun.
The guys took Bill to the grocery to restock the boat before leaving on Thursday to drive back to Dayton. Bill had Friday and Saturday to himself before I returned Sunday afternoon.
We both loved being with our families. Our sailing adventure has been great, but it's always good to reconnect with the folks back home. We are looking forward to returning in November for Thanksgiving to see everyone again.
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