Annapolis Boat Show Trip

We got back from our long weekend trip to the Annapolis boat show with Sharon and Buddy. It was a beautiful weekend - unlike the last two years for this event. Both times we went before were absolute wash-outs - which is OK for sailboat people, but beautiful weather is always welcome!

We picked them up at the Greenville airport Friday morning. They stopped and picked up coffee and Dunkin' Doughnuts so we'd have some "inflight service". It was yummy!

We have not flown much in the Northeast US since 9/11. There are special rules about the large airspace around the DC area and heavy penalties for screwing up!

So, this flight was an interesting change for us. Here is the Maryland Eastern Shore area. It's really quite lovely and rural looking from the air.

This shot of the Annapolis area is a bit hazy, but you get the idea that there are LOTS of boats around the city.

Coming into the little Annapolis airport was a little tricky. Because of the airspace restrictions, pilots are required to stay in constant radio contact with the approach controllers. The controller was getting a little irritated at us because we had not verified that we "had the airport in sight" to land. The GPS said we were very close, but we still couldn't see it. The controller threatened to take us back around for an instrument approach (this is a pretty big insult, because it was crystal clear and should be unnecessary). At the last moment, Sharon saved the day by saying "it's right over there". The rest of the the approach was uneventful. You can make out the little 2500 ft long strip an inch or so down from the top left hand corner of the photo.

Here's the shot on final approach. The little strip is right in the middle of town - the other end of the runway is just a few hundred feet from a busy 4 lane street.
All was well - we tied the airplane down and came up to the old-fashioned office area to call a taxi to take us to the hotel.

So, we dropped off our bags at the hotel and hopped a shuttle bus over to the boat show...I should have snapped a photo of the shuttle bus driver - it was a hoot - he was NOT from Annapolis, had NEVER driven in Annapolis, and our busload was the FIRST time he was going down to the incredibly crowed boat show area. It was amazing - he actually asked all the passengers if we knew the way - and no-one did, of course. DUH, we were all at a hotel, so obviously not locals!! Well, at every stop, he consulted a booklet that the bus company apparently provided - and all worked out well. He got us to the drop off point, so all's-well-that-end's-well!!

By this point, our Dunkin Doughnuts had worn out - we headed straight to the area we remembered for the outdoor grill and the much-awaited crab-cakes. YUM, they were just as good as I remember. Sharon and I both had one. I could have eaten another, but I managed to control myself!



After much wandering around boats, we wandered up the old, old section of Annapolis in search of supper. We found a great little bar/grill that we will remember and visit again.




Yes, we really did look at boats. We were just so busy wandering thru about a 100 different boats (really more like 50....) I forgot to snap too many photos. Here's the lovely couple.

After we made it thru all the boats we cared to see, we went on thru some of the booths and pavillions. There was a sunglass display - I noticed some guady "big" sunglasses - decided they just weren't my style....

The City Dock area of Annapolis is a neat walking area. Notice the beautiful blue sky!!

Here's the Acme Pub where we had lunch - Buddy showing his political pride.....(notice: the views expressed by Buddy do not necessarily represent the views of management!!!)
Back at the boat show, one of the booths always has the "winch contest". We don't have one of these style winches - they are mainly for the crazy sailboat racing people because they make sail changes in a hurry. We however, make sail changes at our convenience....

Anyhoo, here I am trying my "muscles" at the contest....I didn't even make it into the top 5 ladies for that hour. Last year, I think, Sharon won a calendar at this event.


Mid-afternoon, after lunch - I found a boat up on a trailer and took a little rest under it....

So that was about it for the boat show - we wandered out up the street past the Naval Academy. There was a Navy football game this weekend - we saw many of the Midshipmen in their nice uniforms out on the town with dates both days.

Pretty mural on the fence at the Navel Academy.

Back to the airport - heres a shot looking down a row of hangars. You felt like you'd ventured back into the 50's at this airport (except for the cars wizzing by about 200 feet away.)

After a very quick load and take-off we were on our way (the controller only gave us 5 minutes to get in the plane and airborne....but we made it just in the nick of time).

One of the controllers out of the Patuxent Naval Station came on and asked me "You're not from New York, are you?" with a little laugh. I can't imagine why he asked that! I don't have an accent!


We had a smooth flight back to Greenville and all is well.