Signs of spring, buttercups, are abundant here in Solomons Island. David and I decided to spend a full day and another night here. Well, we didn't exactly "decide", rather the reality sneaked up on us around 11:00 a.m. when we finished breakfast.
We slept in, had coffee, looked at the weather predictions, checked milage to various places, talked about doing the laundry, worried about Amelia 's throwing up so often this past week or so, wondered about dropping the dinghy in the water and going across the "Back Creek" to the marine museum just over there. And then the morning, which we'd need to get to Annapolis today, was gone. Poof! Just like magic in the Wizard of Id cartoon. Poof!
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| Boat garage...immediately out our port windows. Neighbors |
Then the officer from the NOAA boat behind us came to work and David got a tour of the boat and then it was afternoon. And we hadn't done the laundry. Why move? David declared we were lazy. You know, I was offended. I've not noticed that either of us is lazy. We've been pushing north for looong days "at sea" for a week. Even the wonderful visit in NC did NOT have a lazy day in it.
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| Snowy Egrets in pond next to the marina. Big ones. |
While David toured the NOAA boat I had a meltdown, crying about Amelia's physical health - is there something acute wrong? is she seasick? (I'm pretty sick of the sea today, at this point in our journey) is she dehydrated? (probably) what is causing the throwing up? anything to be done? is she in pain? Are we forcing her to live beyond her desire? I want here to come home to Maine with us but I doubt she cares. I was a sobbing mess for awhile.
Then I called Amelia's vet. Carolyn is the best. I left a message with my concerns and told her that sailing was definitely in her (Carolyn's) future. She's answered my phone concerns a couple times on this trip. We owe her big time.
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| Unique window placement |
Then I went to put the laundry and cut David's hair. Tasks are wonderful, as is the emotional discharge of sobbing.
Our boating friends from two years ago called from across the Chesapeake to say they were across the Chesapeake and had a car. Cars, if you're cruising, are a valuable asset. A tool for all sorts of negotiations. We spoke of where to get together to visit - there, here or Annapolis. I told Alice of our distress about Amelia and she offered a veterinarian in her town. Hmmm.
Carolyn returned my call, suggested dramamine for possible motion sickness and take her to a vet if possible just to check on infection etc. Alice, we'll come to you if there is a vet nearby. Yes. Amelia has an appointment tomorrow.
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| Metal barns on our right side |
Phew! Some successes and some relief. Clean laundry, a planned visit with friends, some thoughts on where to hold up during the lousy wind at the end of this week and into next, and a vet appointment.
Back with clean laundry I did some computer work and talked with yesterday's Sea Turtle friends who had noticed that we'd not left as planned. Nope slept in. David thought about making an engine repair, enough to open the engine compartment and call our "on call" mechanic at American Diesel. But that's as far as he went. No repair. Don't fix it if it isn't broken! I had a great chat with Diana in NYC.
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| old, wooden training ships near the fuel dock |
David and I played leap frog in our efforts to go for a walk. Finally got in sync and walked about a mile all around this point of land that is a marina and a boat works, the site of a WWII amphibious landing craft training. Lots of foundations and walkways still exist.
Back at the boat beer on the aft deck then David cooked while I scrubbed to get some motor oil off the aft deck. Spillage during rough seas.
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| tree with wooly sweater of ivy |
We'll be off early tomorrow to get to Cambridge, across the Bay, in time for Amelia's appointment. Carolyn (Freeport vet) will send some parts of Amelia's records so the vet isn't starting from zero. Our Sea Turtle friends gave me a dramamine for Amelia. Their dog gets seasick so they have a stock of the drug. I asked Carolyn if catnip had the same effect on cats as medical marijuana. She said she didn't know of any research in that area.
My life is good - lots of love coming in and going out, challenges, new friends and experiences. Diana said this is such a social group. Agreed. I suggested that we all spent so much with our boat mates or partners in such a small space that we were hungry for other conversations and people with whom to interact and tell stories. We'll share woes and adventure stores with Alice and John tomorrow.
Following are some photos taken between Norfolk and here the past week that I've just uploaded.
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| Mars Invasion - these cranes are huge. I love their "feet" |
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| "Locked in" with the tug and barge at Great Bridge Lock, VA |
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| Osprey on top of the light tower on the training ships |
Grace at rest this evening at the dock at Calvert Marina. Behind her is the NOAA boat. Across from the NOAA boat is Moondancer with Susi and Mike with whom we've been hopscotching the past week. At another dock about 30' to the left is Sea Turtle and her folks Caroline, Michell, and Sam the dog.
Grace at rest...and so are we. Surrounded by light and love.
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