OCD & the Orioles

One of our favorite stops while in Baltimore is the American Visionary Art Museum.  After our first visit, we renamed it the OCD Museum (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).  One of the exhibits inside (no photos allowed) is a 12 -15 foot model of the Lusitania built out of 183,000 toothpicks and 5 gallons of glue.

Around every corner, you find something a little "different."

It is also a great place to have lunch.

The other must-do while in Baltimore is taking in an Orioles game.  The city marina in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is a short walk to Camden Yards.

We caught game 2 in a three game series against the Boston Red Socks that would be the last for the Orioles in 2011.  There was a lot of hitting in the game.

And, the game stayed exciting right up to the end.

Unfortunately, the last out was a ground ball to the shortstop leaving a runner on first.

A Visit From the Newly Weds

Robin and Heitham Ghariani were MOTIVATOR’s first guest to spend the night.  Here is Robin’s photo album of the visit:

Meet Motivator. Docked in the Inner Harbor Baltimore, right by the Science Center

5 mins after being on the boat - Mojitos with mint from Pollie's herb garden

First stop is the engine room, which is bigger than the bedrooms in my condo! Mo is in heaven

One of the "twins"

Guest bunks where Heitham and I spent the night

Pollie in her new boat kitchen

Captain's quarters. Queen bed, full bathroom, and a closet with a washer and dryer inside. 1 desk and 3 closets.

the "wine cellar"

Herb garden, outfitted with caterpillars in cacoons!

Mo showing H the electronics at the steering station

Now on to chilling with the mojitos

Make that two chillers

Asian tourists from NYC want a shot in front of Mo's boat! You wouldn't believe how many people wanted to take pictures of it. One Romanian couple even jumped on the back!

That's a big dinghy!

Heitham riding in the dinghy

Motivator from the dinghy...on our way to Fells Point across the harbor

This dinghy is a "motorcycle in the water"....aka it was FAST. But we could only go 6 knots in the harbor. But you bet we "tested" the full speed just to see ;-)

Dinner cruise boats going by

Mo tying off the dinghy in Fells Point

And onto the Wharf Rat for some beers

Wedding on the pier

7am Sunday morning

Woken up by a full out reggae band playing on the shore (to welcome 5k runners meeting in the park)

Took a walking tour of Federal Hill. Saw some cool furniture shops

$1300 and it's yours!

You know I'd buy that couch!

And another kitty at the Ace Hardware counter

Inner Harbor from the Federal Hill park. Can you spot Motivator?

Mo and Po

R and H (holding our cool new "air plants")

Air plants - Just spritz them with water 2x a week and they grow. No soil necessary.

Awww man - do we have to leave!?!

Thanks Robin and Heitham,

we had a great time!

Annapolis

As the days become shorter and the 2011 boating season winds down for the Northeast U.S., anticipation grows for several events in the Maryland area.  First was the Seven Seas Cruising Association Annapolis Gam, September 23-25.  

gam  n. 1. A social visit or friendly interchange, especially between whalers or seafarers.

Following the SSCA Gam is the United States Yacht Shows, with the sailboat show October 6 – 10, and the powerboat show October 13 – 16.  Annapolis was gearing up for this year’s show.

We always enjoy Annapolis, and this visit was no exception.

We managed to take in a concert, had dinner with Mark and Kathy, friends that we met in the Bahamas, and made new friends.

Dale & Bijou

MOTIVATOR seemed comfortable at anchor while we ventured into Reston, VA to see the youngest son and get new drivers licenses.

Patiently waiting

Later, Pollie managed to find a pirate with a peg leg cat.

After a week in Annapolis, it was time to head up to Baltimore where we hope to catch Trawler Fest.

Dodging a cantainer ship

Bay Bridge (Hwy 50)

Francis Scott Key Bridge