Mike and Brenda on "Velsignet"

At 8:25 am we were at Chick & Ruth’s Delly on Main Street Annapolis for breakfast, expecting Loopers Dale and Mary (Minnesotans; MV “Yes, Dear…”) to join us.  Mike and Brenda had already had breakfast, so why were we meeting here?  Every morning at 8:30 am at this very local diner-type cafe, staff and patrons are invited to stand, put our hand over our hearts, and corporately say the pledge of allegiance to the huge United States flag that is centrally hung over the kitchen area.  Now how cool is that?  When was the last time you had such an opportunity? Yesterday after Chick & Ruth’s, we made the short walk to Gate 1 of the United States Naval Academy where we spent our entire morning.  The mission of the USNA is to develop midshipmen morally, mentally and physically and imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty in order to graduate leaders.  Many alumni of the Naval Academy have gone on to become astronauts.  Others...

     “How much do you think our marriage is worth?” Brenda asks Mike as she is shopping online for communication headsets (We can purchase them at a discounted price through the AGLCA; Several other Loopers have them and recommend them; they’re called “Marriage Savers.” Really.  That’s the name of the model).  “Is it worth $200?  $800?” She asks.      “$200 for sure,” Mike responds, “Probably not $800.”        Brenda responds, “How much do you think your life is worth?” …and then she orders a pair. After a couple of evenings anchored out on Mill Creek in Solomons Island (because of wind and thunderstorm warnings, we stayed an extra night), we started cruising at 7 am on a placid Chesapeake Bay northward, arriving in Annapolis by 2 pm.    We moored in Annapolis Harbor and took the ferry taxi to the city docks.   Our mission:   To explore this colonial town, the capital of Maryl...

We are awakened out of our REM.  Did the boat hit something?  In unison, we are out of bed and in the salon.  It’s 1:30 am and we hear thunder.  The wind has picked up considerably and a squall is moving through this protected Mill Creek area off the Chesapeake Bay.  We’re still at anchor, although we notice flashlights moving about on sailboats also “on the hook.”  Within seconds, our anchor alarm sounds.  Our depth finder and observation by flashlight indicate we’ve slowly drifted towards shore.  Brenda starts the engine.  Mike gets his life jacket on.  It won’t be easy to reset the anchor in the darkness. Sleep was not plentiful last night.   Regardless, we pulled anchor and took off this morning at 7:02 to continue our way north up the Chesapeake.   Our destination is Solomons Island, on the west side of the Bay and just north of the Potomac River.   Although the wind is light today (under 10 mph), the waves ...

"Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God. I know not what course others may take,  but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"      By Patrick Henry “ Duty, honor, country.   Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you out to be,  what you can be, what you will be. ”   By Douglas MacArthur. Having left Portsmouth a couple of days ago and historic Yorktown this morning, Velsignet continues northward up the Chesapeake Bay.  As we cruise through this part of the United States which has played and continues to play an important role in defending our democracy, we remember and "raise a glass" to freedom fighters.   Here's to the Rebel Patriots and Continental Army for our independence!    Here’s to the men and women who serve(d) in the United States  Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force and Coast Guard! ...