We're baaaccckkkk!!

Downtown Fort Worth TX-Graduation destination

Yes, the blog has been “dark” for a week – and the boat has been empty!!  Last week we spent Friday with our friends Ric and Prudi from Rascal’s Retreat hanging out in DC.  Saturday morning Charlie and I headed to Washington National Airport and flew to Dallas/Ft. Worth for the not-to-be-missed high school graduation of grandson Josh “Mr. Magna Cum Laude”!!  We spent Sunday and Monday enjoying the kids, grands and extended family gathered together to celebrate!!  Tuesday came too soon; we boarded our return flight and landed in DC around 10:00 PM.

Birdville HS Class of 2017

 Wednesday morning brought us clear skies, cool temps and calm water…yep, by noon we were cruising south on the Potomac!!  After two weeks in DC, it is time to play catch up and find our Looper family – we are New York bound!!!

Looking back at DC shoreline - GREAT MEMORIES!

Determined to take full advantage of the current & tide pushing us at 9 to 10 mph we didn’t anchor until 6:30…just in time to weather a severe, yet brief thunderstorm.  It was over quicker than expected…and that’s ok with us!  We are safe & sound at Faulkner MD and looking forward to a restful evening.  And yes, tomorrow will be an early departure and long distance kind of day (weather permitting)…we’re coming looper family, I promise!

The storm finally caught us at anchor - all over in 20 minutes!

Welcome to summer – make it special for someone!

God Bless!!

Washington DC...still touring!

WW II Memorial

We have had a FANTASTIC week of sight-seeing, Capitol tours and walking, walking, walking!

Home state representation

It has been said that it would take 2 years (or longer) to see every monument, memorial, museum and sacred ground site in DC…I believe it!  And since we’ve experienced a weather shift (it’s cold and rainy) our sight-seeing has taken us indoors a little more. And also makes our outdoor photos look like black and white-crazy, huh?

The Wall of Stars just moved me to tears

I’ll just let the pictures do the talking...but have you made your plans to visit our nation’s capitol yet??  Book a 10 day to 2 week window – there’s A LOT to see and do, don’t let it slip away!

Lincoln Memorial

Jefferson Memorial

Iwo Jima Statue

Reading Room at the Library of Congress

JFK (& family) Gravesite

One of the many amazing & sobering sites at Arlington Cemetery

Steve (Sanctuary) & Charlie trying to behave at an art gallery...we didn't stay long.

Steve & Teresa (Sanctuary) w/us on Capitol Hill-great touring partners!

I must say that after 7 months and 1 day into our Great Loop journey – DC is our favorite stop so far!

God Bless!

Washington DC....

Our National Capitol

There are no words for the past couple days…Washington DC has been more interesting and fun than I could have imagined!  I have so many pictures it’s hard to pick just a few to post – but I will try.

Aviation Museum

Segway tour at the Lincoln Memorial

Presidential Motorcade

Yep, we were here & 2 more blocks we saw...

The White House! (Uncle Donald wasn't home this afternoon)

The Washington Monument (1 of the MANY pics)

In addition to National Police Officer Memorial Week – apparently it is also National-8^thGrade-Field-Trip-Week…WOW!!  Kids and chaperones are everywhere – God Bless them!!!

We will be here for another week – I just don’t know how much more patriotic pride and citizen humility I can take!  What in the world have I done to improve this country? I realize – not much and that I’m entitled to nothing.  

Arlington Cemetery

 

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Be thankful not only for your family but for those who have sacrificed everything so that we may live freely!  And never forget that our freedom is continually under attack – the battle is never over. 

Hug someone today & God Bless!

Mt. Vernon to Washington DC

Sunrise 5/16/17 Mt. Vernon VA

Tuesday morning we woke with the sun looking forward to a calm, smooth travel day – all of 12 miles to the center of DC!

But first a little side trip of dinghy exploration…

We saw this bridge hidden around a bend...

Beautiful homes...

Once we arrived in the Washington Channel (take a right off the Potomac River at National Defense University) we dropped the anchor in the southwest waterfront area.  The captain wasn’t super comfortable with the location since we were in 22’ of water with no room to swing if the current/tide/boat traffic became an issue.  We called Gangplank Marina – just north of the anchorage – and they had a mooring ball available until the 25^th.  YAY!! So we pulled up anchor, motored north and grabbed a mooring ball line for the next 8 days.

We are in the thick of DC – the Washington Monument is just north of us, the East Potomac Golf course to the west, TONS of high rise condos under construction to the east…and LOTS of planning for sight-seeing, walking, touring – oh my!!!

Stay tuned…I’ve already booked a Segway Tour for Thursday for BOTH of us!! FUN, FUN, FUN!!!

God Bless!

Rock & Roll with Jesus!

Sunset at Fairview Beach 5/14/17 - flat water, no wind, some clouds

WOW! WOW! WOW!  We can say without hesitation that Sunday night’s anchorage at Fairview Beach was THE MOST uncomfortable we’ve experienced so far! After sunset “normally” the wind dies down & the water becomes smooth…but “normal” wasn’t on the agenda!

Same night - 1 hour later...pre-high winds

The clouds rolled in, the wind increased & by dark:30 The Lower Place looked like a bucking bronco – YIKES!!  We were anchored in 12' of water with 50' of chain and 100' of line (rode) all tied to a 66 pound Claw anchor. So I did what any seasoned boater would do – I took a bath, put on fresh PJ’s…and went to bed!  Ta-Daaa!!! Soon I was counting the seconds between the waves bucking the bow and the slam of the swim platform…it was F A S T!  The wave segments came in 3 or 5 slams with almost 5 seconds between sessions – whew!  So I started counting my blessings with each slam, then I started singing “Count Your Blessings” quietly of course then I just had an audible conversation with the Lord about all my blessings…then I woke up, it was 7:00 Monday morning & the sun was shining! 

Charlie? Oh, he was in bed, out of bed, checking the anchor line, reviewing the chart plotter to make sure the anchor was holding, reading a book in his chair, reading a book in bed and finally fell asleep around 1:30 or so.  He seemed a bit more attentive to the situation - he's a phenomenal captain!!  I guess that's why I didn't worry...Jesus on the main line and Charlie on the anchor line - what could possibly go wrong?!

Mt. Vernon view from The Lower Place on the Potomac River

We have had wind & waves – LOTS of sunshine - today and after 30 miles we arrived at Mt. Vernon!! George Washington’s estate – an experience of a lifetime!! A MUST-SEE for anyone who can appreciate the necessity of invention.  I never knew our first president was credited with such a long list of modern day farming implements…you have to see this place!! Make your plans now, buy discounted tickets online, load up the car, boat, bike and come on!  It was a fantastic way to spend the day.

Quantico VA viewed from the Potomac River

We didn’t stop at Quantico – they are “closed” on Monday. I don’t understand how you “close” a military base, but OK.  And the boat slips were full as we passed by – we can put it on our return-from-Washington trip list, fingers crossed.

This little guy welcomed us at the anchor-perched on the trash can on our aft deck

The Lower Place as seen from the bluff at Mt. Vernon

One of the many gardens at Mt. Vernon - buy your tickets today!!

Tuesday is supposed to be “the best weather day of the week” and I’m not sure what we will do.  I’d like to stay at anchored at Mt. Vernon and explore some of the area by dinghy but I’m not sure that would require the whole day.  Of course we are making our way to DC with a 4-5 day sight-seeing agenda so stay tuned – who know where we will drop the hook!

Enjoy your journey – wherever it may lead…

God Bless!