Almost Ready to GO

The Looper's creed is simple and is broken down to basically four things;
1. Always cruise in calm seas.
2. Enjoy what each port has to offer.
3. Never pass up an opportunity to experience a local restaurant.
4. Always have boat cards handy when meeting other Loopers.

Well, at this point all of our preparations for our journey are complete and Zoey's Adventure is "Ship Shape".  The week of May 22 - 24, we returned home to drop off our car and return to Kent Narrows with a rental car. Weather permitting we planned to leave for our first leg, May 27 or 28 - Kent Narrows to Delaware City DE, about 60 miles and a 5 hour run.

While we have been here for nearly a month, we have been enjoying the area including dinner with James Taylor, but more about that later .

On Sunday morning we drove to nearby Annapolis and attended Mass in the Chapel at the United States Naval Academy. They refer to it as a Chapel but its more like a Cathedral. Wow, this Sunday was a special Mass for the Graduating Class of 2018.  Can not ever remember a Mass with not one priest but Four priest. Later it was breakfast at the Iron Roster, a hot breakfast spot in the Annapolis Harbor Front.  I am hooked on Chicken and Waffles thanks to Amanda.  Oh well, what can I say.

Chapel at Naval Academy

Sunday Pentecostal Mass at Chapel

Officer's Quarters at the Academy

I forgot to say that our third week in Kent Narrows was a very wet one with rain most every day. Basically, the first time we have been on-board Zoey's Adventure in the rain and boy did our bimini (canvas top) leak. Think we will be replacing our bimini sooner than we thought.

Oh, almost forgot about dinner with James Taylor. Fact is, we had LouAnn's high school friend, Pam and her husband Jim Taylor on-board for drinks and out to dinner at Annie's. It was a wonderful night and they may try to meet us along the Loop in their motor-home.

High School friend Pam and Jim (James) Taylor

Getting ready

Rene & LouAnn getting ready for the Loop!

On April 29,2018 we departed Connecticut with our SUV packed to the rafters headed to Chesapeake City, MD and the Bohemia River to move aboard Zoey's Adventure in preparation for our year long cruise adventure around the Great Loop.

The next day we moved Zoey's Adventure about 60 miles south on the Chesapeake Bay to Mears Point Marina in Grasonville, MD/Kent Narrows. This location is also only 25 minutes drive by car to our grandson which is an added attraction. Our plan is to stay at Mears for a month to prepare the boat for the 6000 plus mile trip. Some of the work scheduled to be done is to have the Cummins engines thoroughly serviced, install new electronics including autopilot, replace the carpet and of course have our new name "Zoey's Adventure" put on the stern.

 During our month long stay it's not been all work. One beautiful sunny day we decided to take a drive to Chestertown, MD, located on the Chester River, once was a thriving port. We all know of the Boston Tea Party, well shortly after the Boston Tea Party, Chestertown had their own Tea Party. We enjoyed lunch on the Chester River at the "Fish Whistle" dinning on the deck with good food and  a spectacular view.  The little town is also quite charming.

Another day found us in the town of Easton, MD about 30 miles from the marina, to begin our morning at the cutest little breakfast spot called "Breakfast in Easton" with only 6 tables inside we chose to dine outside in the morning sunshine. Then off to the annual Talbot County House and Garden Tour of six beautiful private homes all located on the water. One of these magnificent homes is situated on 232 acres of land with one mile of water front. Wow!  Of course we have no pictures of the water views, but you'll have to take our word for it that they were spectacular.

Saturday morning Breakfast in Easton, MD before the House and Garden Tour

One of six spectacular private homes.

Railroad style architecture 18' X100'

View from our aft deck at Mears Point Marina