May 13-14                         Baltimore, Maryland

We reluctantly bade farewell to Joe and Stephanie.  They are always wonderful guests who adapt well to the boating lifestyle.  Although our only trip on the water was in the dinghy, they loved the marina, the Fells Point neighborhood, and our long evenings on the aft deck observing the activity around us.  They are always fun and ready to go and do anything we choose. Never content to be idle, they stay busy helping us.  Since the weather was cold, very windy, and damp, we postponed going ashore.  It was a good day to stay on the boat and work or read. 

The workmen came on Tuesday to finalize needed repairs and adjustments.  A diver installed new zincs on the engine shafts and cleaned the bottom of the boat.  As lake boaters, we were not aware of the importance of zincs until we bought the Hatteras.  Zincs “neutralize” the electrolysis that occurs when metals are exposed to salty waters and protects the boat’s electronic equipment.  It is a necessary procedure and can cause expensive problems if neglected.

By noon, the wind had lessened, the sun was shining, and David was ready to take the dinghy for a trip to the Inner Harbor.  Harkening to the admonitions of our children, we wore life jackets.  The harbor was active with people and boats but lacked the usual crowds that are there in the summer months.  The dinghy motor, damaged by residual fuel when stored in Mystic last year, still had some issues but it ran well enough we can use it without problems.

After docking the dinghy, we were ready for a walk and a late lunch.  Stopping at Broadway Market, we perused the counters of the Polish Deli and discussed the varieties of pierogi with the staff.  We finally decided on potato and cheese pierogi and were told to cook them with sliced onions and chopped bacon for a real Polish treat.  We would store them for a special dinner later in the week.

 

The outside tables at Adela’s viewed Fells Point Square and were perfect for a late lunch-early dinner.  Adela’s serves tapas and Spanish wines.  We selected Nora, a great white wine similar to a Sauvignon Blanc.  My first tapa was a skewer of broiled shrimp, artichokes, and onions in a caper and red pepper coulis with a sofrito cream sauce. David had a red and yellow tomato gazpacho with a lump crab garnish. This was followed by delicious fried artichokes drizzled in sweet aged balsamic vinegar.  The next course was a six-cheese ravioli dish topped with lump crab. Ignoring my protestations, David ordered a rice pudding with candied orange garnish.  It was heavenly. Everything was wonderful and we regretted we had not tried Adela’s when Joe and Stephanie were with us.

Returning to the boat, we were ready to relax.  Since we seldom go to the movies, we can usually find one on Direct TV that we want to see.  The Guilt Trip with Barbara Streisand, as a bossy, overbearing mother, was not great, but fun and entertaining.  However, I kept having a feeling that Dave might say her character was modeled in some ways after me!