Annapolis, MD Position 38:57.973N 76:28.847W
SeaTrek
Bill and Judy Stellin
Wed 28 May 2008 00:32
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This season of sailing, actually the last 9 months, are
fast coming to an end. On June 5, we fly home from Richmond VA and will
leave Jaywalker on the hard until next spring when we will resume our
adventure.
We have now finished eight years on the boat and
experienced the most fantastic adventure any two people are privileged to live.
Two ocean crossings, innumerable long passages including this past one from
Tortola to Cape Fear NC and never a problem with the boat or ourselves.Unless of
course you don't count Judy's broken arm in the first three days of our first
Atlantic crossing. What a trooper and she like me, still loves every
minute we spend on the boat no matter the conditions. We will miss the
boat but at the same time will be glad to have some extended time home to attend
to things that have been neglected (like our family) and to do some other things
that haven't been possible over these long years.
It boggles the mind to remember the things we've done and
seen. But most of all, it is the people from everywhere that are
special. We now count as friends countless people that we've spent the
winter with, or just sharing a glass of wine in the cockpit.
Well, it isn't over yet, the "fat lady has not yet sung"
so after a short hiatus, there will be more.
We slowly made our way up the Chesapeake to Annapolis
where we are at a most peaceful anchorage in Back Creek.
 Our first night here was moored next to our good
friends Dorcas and Paris Genalis boat. They live on a creek that for
all the life looks like the Thornapple. ( I think I've said that about a
lot of creeks here. They do look just like home. ) Paris has an
identical J/42 and spent a lot of time talking with us before he bought his
boat to find out if he was doing the right thing. He is a MIT
graduate in Naval Architecture, worked as a civilian for the Navy as
something like Deputy Director of Purchasing for just about
everything except fast aircraft. I asked him if he was involved with the
new aircraft carrier named after Pres. Gerald Ford. He replied "I approved
it" nuff said. I've been flattered he seeks out a shmuck like me for
expert information on boats.
On Memorial Day, Annapolis had the obligatory parade which
also involved laying two wreaths in the water in memory of fallen sailors. (
Naval Academy is next door).
 Pure unadulterated Americana
After the shore based ceremony, the officials asked if
anyone would like to go out on the Navy patrol boat and participate in the
wreath ceremony. Judy and I jumped at the chance and the pictures speak
for themselves. We had the complete run of the ship including the engine
room, although we were admonished "don't touch anything"
 I was tempted.
 That is the look of intensity only a person in command can
give. Judy has just successfully gotten us away from the
dock.
 Pat Sajak host of a TV game show (I can't remember which
one but you buy a vowel from him) was the mater of ceremonies and gave a
marvelous speech remembering the military.
While we were here, we saw Ron and Pat Hoekman who are
leaving Gypsy for the last time, as it will be sold here. What a bitter
sweet time it must be for Ron, Pat, well, maybe not quite so.
So..... as the sun sets in the west, we say goodbye, but
as General MacArthur said when we left the Philippines, "I shall
return".
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