2014

May 24-June 5                                    Baltimore, Maryland

We were excited to return to Baltimore and The Bottom Line.  We had made many phone calls to the marina in the weeks before our arrival. We were trying to finish any necessary repairs or work before our departure.     We had planned an ambitious, lengthy trip northward to New York, up the Hudson, through the Erie Canal, through the Oswego Canal, across Lake Ontario, and through the St. Lawrence Seaway to Montreal.  After a few days in that lovely city, we would leave the boat while David returned to Texas for a few days and I left for Belgium to join the Kimbell Museum group on a river cruise.  We would reunite in Quebec and continue our nautical journey through the Gaspe Peninsula area to Nova Scotia, and then across to Maine before cruising the New England coast back to New York and Baltimore.  We wanted the boat to be in the best condition possible for our journey.

Although not necessary to the boat’s performance, I decided to have the worn, faded carpet on the aft deck replaced.  I located Bonita Riley from a West Marine employee’s referral.  She seemed to be knowledgeable, experienced, and assured me she could complete the job in the week remaining before our arrival.  From pictures on the computer, I chose the carpet, we agreed on a price (always more than anticipated), and the work began.

To my great relief, The Bottom Line was very much as we had left her in August.  Workmen had been careful to keep the interior neat and there was little dust.  We spent time unpacking and settling in.  Suzanne and her friend, Eileen would arrive the next day but we delayed food shopping to relax and enjoy our return.

Sunday was a busy day as we cleaned and made ready for guests.  

It was a joy to welcome Suzanne and Eileen.  We enjoyed a leisurely dinner on the aft deck and made plans for the week. Timberly Wuester Smith, daughter of our neighbors in Fort Worth, her husband, Craig, and their pixie-like daughter, Jocelyn came on Monday afternoon.  We have always been very fond of Timberly and she and Suzanne have a special bond formed from many happy times together growing up.  It was fun to see them re-unite with such affection.  Timberly remarked that Suzanne was like a sister.  They joined us for a delicious lunch at Canton Crossing, a local seafood restaurant. 

Our friends, Phil and Linda Hardberger arrived in their beautiful Fleming 56’.  Sleek in design, the Fleming is renowned for its performance and quality of craftsmanship.  Heads turned admiringly as it came into the marina.  Unfortunately, that night they experienced electrical problems due to inadequate power for their sophisticated system.  They moved the next day to another marina about a mile away.  We hated to see them go because it limited our opportunities for visiting.

 On Tuesday, we hosted our guests at Germano’s in Little Italy.  As the Memorial Day weekend had ended and the weather was rainy, the restaurant was uncrowded.  Our dishes were all superb but we especially enjoyed the artichokes in balsamic vinegar and the Pasta Alfredo with clams.  Conversation with the Hardbergers is always interesting and fun.  We had a delightful evening.

On Wednesday, we drove to the Baltimore Museum of Art to see the Cone Collection.  Phil and Linda accompanied us.  The museum is still remodeling.  It was difficult to see any changes from my visit a year ago and access to the galleries was very limited.  Afterwards, we went to Greenwood to see that lovely old mansion with its pale yellow walls and Art Nouveau entrance canopy.  Owned by the Garrett family for several generations, it houses a wonderful collection of art, books, Tiffany glassware, furniture, and period items.  More than a museum, it is a tribute to an accomplished family of wealth and taste.  Now owned by Johns Hopkins Foundation, it is a rare treasure in the city of Baltimore.

Thursday was the day to take out the boat for a harbor cruise but we were thwarted by rain and wind.  This was especially disappointing since Eileen had never been on a boat cruise.  The girls donned rain gear and explored Fells Point.  They returned with a beautiful red, white, and blue afghan for me and a puzzle for David.  We opted to remain onboard for dinner due to the rain and cold.  Suzanne compared the weather to that in San Francisco in the summer.

The girls had to leave on Friday so we planned an early visit to the Blue Moon Café for breakfast.  One of our favorite places, this funky, crowded place with mismatched chairs, tables, and tattooed waitstaff serves fabulous breakfasts (and only breakfast).  The plates are always beautifully presented and the food is outstanding.  Thousands of calories later, we left for the airport and a teary goodbye.  They were immediately missed.

Friday night we hosted Phil and Linda for dinner on The Bottom Line.  They would leave Baltimore the next day and it was unlikely we would see them again for a long while.  We had brought from home prime tenderloin steaks from Costco and David grilled them to perfection.  Our menu included kale salad, Hasselbeck potatoes, green beans, and hot rolls.  Linda provided a delicious pear tart.  We lingered long after dinner was completed enjoying the company of long-time friends.

The next six days involved a lot of office work for David, completing small repairs, and making ready for our departure on Friday, June 6.  First, we had to make a trip to Costco and the grocery store to stock food for our journey.  Having a small freezer on the aft deck and a large refrigerator-freezer in the galley made it convenient to purchase large quantities.  Supplies are not always readily available as one travels from port to port.  After spending more than $1,000, we felt we were adequately stocked for our guests to come in New York and most of our journey northward.

Our final evening at Henderson’s Wharf was delightful.  The weather was cool and pleasant with a lovely sunset as we walked to the end of the dock and joined other slip holders and marina staff for a Happy Hour celebration.  We met several live-aboards and enjoyed hearing their stories of being year-round residents.  Most agreed it was a convenient and desirable lifestyle.  One couple owned a magnificent houseboat with a luxurious interior.  They had all the perks of a wonderful home plus a great view of the harbor and no yard work!