Solomon Island

On Thursday we arrived in Solomon Island ahead of a Canadian cold front that moved down from the north. With a small craft advisory and cold nights in the forecast, Cece and I used Zanhiser's Yachting Center as a port of refuge waiting for the weather to clear.  Zanhiser's has been a comfortable port of call for us for a number of years now.  Just 27 months ago we were here on the night that our granddaughter Olivia was born. It is a well run marina, with good staff and wonderful facilities.

Over four days we used our time to walk, ride bikes, visit with family, enjoy sculpture gardens, and attend the National Oyster Shucking Championships held in St Mary's County, Maryland.  Shifting from moorings to the docks, we were able to access electricity that keeps our small space heater pumping out heat to combat the cold nights.  We were also able to attend to some of the small boat chores that serve as the backdrop to this lifestyle.  Time was spent making the obligatory trip to West Marine for more boat parts.

We joined my niece Lauren, nephew Brandon, his wife Hermaine, and two year old daughter Ellen for a day trip to the National Oyster Shucking Championships at the St. Mary's fairground.  The weekend event was a cross between a county fair and oyster roast.  Thousands of Southern Marylanders turn out for the event that includes seafood, crafts, and Oyster Shucking competition.  The highlight of our visit was watching the women's national finals with five women competing for a chance to represent the U.S. In the world championship's in Gallway Ireland (who knew).  Watching these women tear through 24 oysters for the best time was memorable.  There final score is based on a combination of time and quality, with penalties for cut oysters, chipped shells, improperly cut muscles.  

Another highlight of the visit was a bike ride to AnnMarie Sculpture Garden.  An extraordinary landscape filled with outdoor sculpture, many on loan from the National Gallery of Art or the Smithsonian Hirshhorn.  A beautiful forested walk highlights the amazing art.

Cece and I are beginning to settle into a different rhythm of life.  Traffic, stop lights, television are not a part of our daily lives.  Replaced, instead by boat chores, pumping out, filling water tanks, and spending hours over charts and weather maps.  It's looking good so far.

We depart again tomorrow, working our way towards warmer weather.  We hope anyway.