The time has come to depart these waters as it is getting quite nippy. Windspell is looking great and her crew are eagerly anticipating casting off the lines as are many other cruisers also pointing their bows south for warmer climates.

   We have enjoyed visits over the past week from our good friends, Laura and Barb and then Dexter. The weather was perfect for our cruise to a quiet anchorage on the Magothy River followed the next day by a wonderful sail to Annapolis where we toured the Naval Academy, shopped the quaint stores and had a great seafood feast at a local restaurant. 

We have done "The big shopping", acquiring enough food/provisions for the next month or so as we make our way towards Florida and ultimately the Bahamas. We will restock again in Florida. All systems are at a high level of maintenance and many spare parts have been placed aboard. We have moved into the modern era by acquiring the latest IPad which will allow us to keep connected even without WIFI.      

Spring Cove has been a perfect location for us over the past 5 months and we have made some great new friends, some of which we will be playing leap frog with as we head south.

We'll keep you posted,

Donna and Walter

Windspell ready and waiting for the southern departure

The three sopranos

Laura learning to use the  helm as we sail to Annapolis

Barb-another natural at the helm

A historic whaling schooner from Mystic Seaport, Connecticut, anchoring beside us in Sillary Bay,  Magothy  River

We had to use an electric drill to remove a wine cork as we are used to twist tops  or cartons. Just another example of the resourcefulness required for the cruising life...  

Barb getting into it!

Laura under the Bay bridge

Annapolis Naval Academy chin-up bar  with  an unrealistic wannabe candidate

Bronze bust of Tecumseh  mascot of the Naval Academy, depicting  the virtues aspired to by the students. Ironically, he helped the Canadians/British defeat the American invasion at the Battle of Queenston Heights. 

Naval Academy midshipmen mustering before lunch

Madelyn Reni, our host and friend at Spring Cove Marina with her grandson and Donna

Our car ready for a long winter's nap at Spring Cove