Second Wind on the Great Loop and Beyond

Sunday, May 27. After seeing the Hicks off Saturday morning, we spent the rest of the day doing unsavory chores like laundry and boat clean-up. It was great fun to have Bill and Vickie share our cruise up the Chesapeake; not only are they old friends, but Bill’s grilling and Vickie’s ideas for recipes were very, very welcome.

Today we had another pleasant adventure. Paul and Jane Cowhig picked us up in their rental car. After lunch at Amicci’s Restaurant in Little Italy and a walk to see the Tall Ships in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, we drove to the smallish city of Havre de Grace, which is about 40 miles north of Baltimore. Because it is Sunday, most of the shops were closed (much to the delight of the Bob and Paul), BUT delicious treats at sister shops Bomboys Ice Cream and Bomboys Confectionary Shop made up for the lack of shopping. We drove by various parks, looked at pretty houses, and stopped at the restored lock tender’s house along the old Susquenna and Tidewater Canal. We actually opened, then closed the swing bridge across the lock manually. We also learned that Havre de Grace (named by General Lafayette, meaning “Harbor of Mercy”) missed becoming the capital of our country by one vote! Riding through the Maryland countryside was pleasant as we headed toward the Susquehanna River. Rolling hills and woods with wild roses and honeysuckle were a nice change of scenery for us. The Susquehanna River looked lazy and pretty, and we thoroughly enjoyed seeing an old grist mill in a park area beside the river. After a stop for a few groceries at Whole Foods, we said goodbye again to the Cowhigs, who will be going home to Indianapolis for a few weeks. This was a pleasant Sunday with good friends, away from the crowds of Baltimore.

P.S. Internet connectivity keeps dropping out, so it may be a while before more photos are uploaded.