Spunky Update

Life has settled in pretty much to a summer pattern. After surviving the storm of June 29, we had a great time in DC for the 4th of July. Kids arrived from Goodland Ks. and came out to Spunky to watch the fireworks which were spectacular from our vantage point but seemed to be a shorter event than we recall from the past. Probably due to cost. It was Hot!! The entire 2 weeks we were here in DC have been record breaking. We went over to the Smithsonian one afternoon to escape the heat. Took our books and read in the cafe under the National Gallery of Art. Stopped in to see the George Bellows exhibit which was wonderful. He is famous for his paintings of boxing events but his works depicting New York City and the working class are really worth seeing. John went to a Nationals game with sons John and Mike and granddaughter Savannah and they won. He was thrilled but I had mixed feelings as they beat my San Francisco Giants.

We bid farewell to DC and motored in heat and humidity down the Potomac "racing" for cover late in the day to avoid another huge (on radar) lightening storm right on our stern. It was traveling right down the river toward us as we motored against the current going about 3 knts. We put on life jackets and I put our computer and handheld gps in the oven where I have read they would be protected in a direct hit (who knows). It was very tense as we slowly made our way up into Breton Bay to our anchorage past Protestant Point. The lightening was sky to water all around us with loud thunder following. What a relief to finally drop anchor in the rain.

The following day the heat broke with the cold front coming through and we had a wonderful sail up to Solomon's Island and again the next day to the Rhode River. Finally got to enjoy our SAILBOAT. We had forgotten that is what she is with all the motoring we have done on these windless days. There is usually either no wind or it is right on our nose.

Now we are back in Annapolis awaiting our haul out date to get work done on Spunky at which time we will empty our frig/freezer, pack our backpacks and get ourselves out to Reston, VA-a long way without a car-where we will stay in our friends house for the work week.

We are still trying to arrange a road trip in Sept. to FL and New Orleans but it is proving to be complicated trying to find a place to park Spunky, arrange a car rental and be back only a few days before we start work at the boat show.

I know everyone is having a hot summer but hope you are enjoying the long lazy days as we are.

Elyse and John