Boat Show Bonanza

While we were preparing for the sailboat show in Annapolis, we spent a day at the power boat show with good friends Del and Becky Gladrow.  The weather was beautiful, and we had a great time at the show and then dining at the Rams Head Tavern.  

 

Just before the show Randy and Ede Bartell called to say they were passing through.  We enjoyed lunch with them at the Annapolis Yacht Club, and visited for a while before they headed for their home in Florida.

After three weeks of beautiful weather in Annapolis, the boat show arrived at the same time as the remnants of tropical storm Karen, which decided to stall over us for the first four days of the show.  Strong southerly winds and high tide flooded part of the show the day before it opened.

 

 

Rainy days didn't deter the sailors, who showed up in droves.  We worked for friends Bradd and Maeve Wilson at their Cruising Solutions booth.

Maeve, Lori Fields, Jeff Fields and Bradd joined me for this shot inside the booth.

 

 

Sue became very proficient at demonstrating the docking stick, one of the many cruiser friendly products on sale at the Cruising Solutions booth.

 



 



We had a great time working at the show, even if the cold and rain did force me to wear my foul weather jacket for most of the first four days.

Of course, the boat show week wasn't all work.  After the first night the crew attended a reception Lowes Hotel.  Free drinks and good food was a welcome reward after the set up and first day of manning the booth.  Our hosts Maeve and Bradd certainly enjoyed themselves.

We even enjoyed a short presentation by Australian Jimmy Spithill, who skippered Oracle Team USA in the America's Cup.  The US boat successfully defended the cup 9 races to 8.  Jimmy talked mostly about encouraging young people to take up sailing.

Bradd and Maeve also hosted a dinner on Sunday night of the show at Buddy's Crab and Ribs.  We had a great dinner and enjoyed the camaraderie of the entire Cruising Solutions crew. I know that Phil, John and Craig had a fun time.

So did Bradd, Jeff and Lori.

Bradd also turned the occasion into a celebration of Sue's 72nd birthday. 

Once the show ended, we spent two days preparing to depart Annapolis.  Clean clothes, full refrigerator and a refilled propane tank topped the list.  Thanks so much to Susan Nahmias, who worked with us at the show, for providing transportation and fellowship during the completion of these tasks.  Check back soon for details of our voyage south.