Universal Fun

Harbor Cruise & Mike's Crab House North

August 18th, 2012

My best friend from Iceland was in town for just 2 nights and Friday was the BMC Customer Appreciation Event and so we just had Saturday to get her and her son out on the bay.  (They don't do a lot of recreational boating in Iceland!)  Plus, she spent some time in the Maryland area in the 90s and LOVES crabs, so that was also a must do event.  As it happened, other great friends of ours were returning from a week at the beach Saturday morning, and so we set out for a harbor cruise with our crew of the day -the  Eberhart's with adorable sons Jack & Tommy in tow, Bev & Chase Anton from Iceland, Cap't Buddy, me and Lexi-dog.

Bev & Chase Anton

   

New attraction at the harbor

The harbor was active with boats on this gorgeous, sunny Saturday afternoon, as we slowly cruised through Fells Point, around the new Harbor East area (a lot has changed since the 90;s), over to the Inner Harbor where the promenade was lively with tourists and pedestrians.  The new "Ripleys Believe It or Not" attraction is open now and seemed very popular.  We tucked inside the Science Center alcove and checked out Watermark's newest fleet addition - the Raven, and over around the Tiki Barge.  It was just at that point the little ones began to get restless and so we headed back to BMC to let the family disembark at the fuel dock and then us four (& our 4-footed friend) set off in search of CRABS!

Tiki Bar at Mike's North

We decided we'd give Mike's North in Rock Creek a go since we hadn't tried it and have heard good things about it.  The cruise was easy, no wind and small seas.  An easy 1/2 hour ride and we were pulling in past the white rocks and up to the docks.  There are plenty of slips available,  but it was easier for us to go on the T-head. 

The new deck is beautiful with a huge tiki bar and colorful umbrellas, and it sits high so you can look out over the bay.  The crabs were mediums and tasty; the clams casino delicious and the beer cold!

After a slice of key lime pie, we were off to do some swimming.  The water is the perfect temperature this time of year, and fortunately we didn't see any jellies!  Chase Anton had a blast jumping off the front of the boat and lucky for me I still have some upper body strength since we couldn't put the swim ladder down with the dinghy on the back! (A challenge, for sure.)  

Fun on the bow!

We wrapped things up before sunset and headed on back towards our slip, the three of us taking time to nap on the back in the bright summer sun.  Waking in time to do a little bow riding and a great Titanic impression before sliding back in to the slip and talking about the fun of the day.  We weren't even packed up and off the boat before Chase Anton uttered the words so typical of teens the world over:  "Can we go to Game Stop now?"  I guess some things are truly universal!


I didn't take any pics on this trip.  The pics came from the Facebook pages of those mentioned!

Spontaneity!

Curtis Creek, August 5th, 2012

Buddy was out of town last weekend so I was on my own.  Sunday morning after waking up, I rode my bicycle to the Farmer's Market for the fresh peaches I had been craving and then was heading to the pool to work on my tan when I ran in to some locals at the Tiki Bar.  As I approached I was asked "Hey, you going on the boat with us?"  My immediate response?  "YES!".  I'm pretty much always up for a boat ride.  I didn't know who was going or where we were going, but it was a beautiful summer day, so why not?  

  

Flag at Ft. McHenry standing out & Captain Clark at the helm

Our crew for the day consisted of Captain Clark, Steve & Angie, Billy the Pirate, Scotty, his parents, Danielle, John & Laura on Samantha's Dancer.  The original destination was Hard Rock Cafe, but somehow we wound up heading towards Reckless Rick's.  It's an easy ride out of the Harbor, Ft. McHenry on your starboard, over to Curtis Creek.  This is Baltimore at its most industrial, but once you pass the Coast Guard Station and the army reserve base (where my dad retired as Tug Boat Captain), it becomes more residential and scenic. 



 



Turn right at the American Legion Post 277, where I'm an Auxiliary member and grew up going to Christmas parties and Easter eggs hunts.  My parents still go to Friday night fish frys (when they're open).  It's on a gorgeous plot of waterfront property with its own Tiki Bar and is on the edge of going out of business - such a shame. 

Okay, back to Sunday afternoon...  as we approach Rick's, the dockhand had us dock on the neighbor's pier (!), and was there to help us tie up and off we went for lunch.  It was SO windy and hot outside, that we opted for inside dining, althought that's a hard call because the outside is all tropical and beachy, while the inside is pretty much a bar.  We ordered lots of apps to share - wings & nachos, pitchers of beer, all brought to us quickly by a smiling waitress (if you go, ask about why the waitresses stay so long - it's a good story).  The nachos were the best I've had in a long time (that's all I tried). 

   

Beach at Reckless Rick's

My brother lives in the neighborhood so I gave him a call, and just for me, he pulled himself out of the pool and rode over in his jeep.  Great to see you Sean! 

My Bro

After playing some pool and a taking a photo shoot outside, we were ready to head home, just as a storm approached.  As we were debating whether or not to leave, the storm went by and the sun came out, lucky for us!  So we enjoyed a nice - crazy (in a good way) may be the better word ride home with lots of laughs along the way.  There's a lot to be said for spontaneity.  I didn't see the pool that day, but I did get another blog! 

Feinstein's Annual Dinghy Poker Run Weekend

Feinstein's Annual Dinghy Poker Run Weekend

Middle River, July 27-29, 2012

Doovie Del-Mar Marina

So it's called an annual event, although this is the first time in 4 years that they've had the party.  And we were so happy to return!  You can't beat a party thrown by Dave & MA.  You just KNOW it's going to be an event to remember.  They live in a gorgeous home on the water, make everyone feel welcome, and think of every last detail for their parties - The Ultimate Party Hosts (UPHs)!  It used to be that we all came in to the Doovie Del-Mar Marina & Resort for the weekend, took part in the Dinghy Poker Run and then held a large tent party in the evening.  Then we got older and realized the dinghy poker run took a lot of effort and so the UPHs decided to forego the party for a few years.  Now it's back in the form of a weekend getaway (lucky for us!) and we watch from the docks as the dinghies go by!

Dinghies going by...

We headed over on a beautiful Friday evening, Lexi dog and Missy as guests aboard the Harbor Shark.  We had a nice chat and less than an hour later, were pulling in to our slip. It's amazing how many boats the UPHs can fit on their pier - hence the name Doovie Del Mar Marina & Resort!  This year they borrowed three of the neighbors piers and according to Dockmaster Doovie, had 26 boats (21 guest boats, with another 5 stopping by).  They started arriving around noon on Friday and the last boat didn't leave until noon on Monday!

Sunset on Middle River

We enjoyed a gorgeous sunset while catching up with friends before heading over on dinghies to meet some others at River Watch for perfectly cooked crabs (thanks for hooking us up Mark!).  We came back and all appreciated a nice quiet night at the end of the dock enjoying the balmy summer air and some laughs before turning in.  (Translate: saving ourselves for the Big Event on Saturday.)

And what a day was Saturday!  The theme of this year's event was a Greek Toga Party (openly admitted to be snatched from BMC's Customer Appreciation Party!) and of course, the UPHs had pre-planned lots of activities.  Olympic Games were played where we competed for medals in everything from Hula Hooping and Corn Hole to Who Can Drink Beer Out of a Baby Bottle the Fastest & Tug of War!  It's funny to witness the competitive nature of the men (boys) among us.  While the women's tug-of-war game was taken seriously and we definitely gave our all, it was comical to watch the men go about it in a completely different manner.  They insisted on choosing a captain, picking teams and strategizing before we could begin.  And once they started, you should have heard the grunts & groans!  Several of them still have bruises and rope burn to show for their efforts.  Enjoy that homemade chocolate medal guys!

   

  

After a hard day's work, we had some downtime to prepare for the next round:  TOGA PARTY!  We had all brought/made/bought greek-themed dishes and had a humungous smorgasbord!  SOO much delicious food to choose from!   Most everyone dressed in costume, some very elaborate.  Kudos to those that handmade their costumes - we have some extremely talented friends.  It was a difficult decision to decide BEST TOGA, thank goodness for the talents of Lana who took charge as our host and ran the contest.  Judging was by audience applause.  The Olympic Medal Ceremonies were next.  Congrats to the winners - well deserved!  Dancing & debauchery followed until deep in the night (or morning as may be the case) , and as Davey put it - if you didn't have a good time, that's on YOU!

UPHs - Dave & MA

Female Finalists

Sunday was clean up and relax day.  After the group photo & ironing of the decal, many of us stayed around through most of the afternoon.  We were happy to see Joyce when she stopped by since she was unable to make the party.  We ate leftovers and got in the "cool" hot tub.  And then one by one we were on our way from another fabulous weekend on the Bay.  We pulled out around 3:00, the water flat, the weather perfect.  Did I mention I LOVE summertime?

Great Friends!

 Thanks for a Great Time Dave & MA!