Vacation at Home - or - The Blue Angels Come to Baltimore

Baltimore has been in full celebration mode since last Wednesday when the Star Spangled Sailabration started. For me, this has been one of the coolest weekends since moving to the city. As I went for a run Wednesday morning, I caught a glimpse of huge naval ships like this one coming into the city:

People had brought their lawn chairs to the Korean War Memorial to watch all of the ships arrive.

On Thursday, I was trying to do work when I heard these guys flying over my house:

I was surprised by their arrival since I thought they weren't coming until their first show on Saturday (of course, they always practice before the Naval Academy graduation in Annapolis, so why would this be any different). Who can work when the Blue Angels are flying directly over their house? I couldn't contain my excitement and rushed down to the marina to see the view from there. It was like time stood still. Everyone in Canton stopped what they were doing and stood outside to see these magnificent airplanes. We've seen the Blue Angels in Annapolis before, but there is just something about seeing them in your hometown. I called my husband, I called my mom, I got very little work done.

The Blue Angels with Natty Boh.

Doug worked from home on Friday and had a conference call from 2-3:30. The Angels practiced again from 2-4 that day. He had to apologize for the noise because Blue Angels were flying over his house. I wonder what the people on the other end of the call thought of that. I was prepared for their Friday arrival and got all my work done early in the day. This time I was able to get a photo of this flying beast.

Our unexpected vacation began after Doug's phone call. Yes, we were already planning to take part in the Sailabration, but we weren't expecting to have as much fun as we did. There were people everywhere as we walked to the marina. The sun was shining, there was music blaring from bars, I felt like I was exploring somewhere new. Who knew Baltimore could feel so special after living here for almost six years?

In an effort to avoid the crowds, we took the dinghy into the Inner Harbor to see the tall ships. I have never seen so much boat traffic or boats anchored in Baltimore before. Just to be clear - Baltimore really isn't an anchorage spot. Unlike many cities, there isn't a real dinghy dock. However, the marinas had been booked for weeks so this was the only way some people were going to experience the Sailabration.

Welcome to Baltimore circa...umm...I don't know, lots and lots of years ago (with the exception of the skyscrapers).

While it may look a little funny on a Maritimo, I want a window like this on my boat one day:

Saturday was time for...yup, you guessed it...more Blue Angels. My parents came to Baltimore and we hosted about 14 people onboard for the show. The whole marina was packed with boaters, friends, and family. Being at the marina gave the show a whole new look:

I wish I had taken a picture of the spread of food that showed up after the show. We brought pulled pork, pasta salad, and jello shooters to share. There was also fried chicken, grilled filet, cole slaw, hoagie dip, brownies, etc., etc., etc. Boaters know how to party (and eat).

At about 9 pm the fireworks started. While we got a couple good photos, this was the only disappointment for the weekend. The show lasted only ten minutes and wasn't very impressive.

We rarely stay on board when we are docked in Baltimore but the party went well into the evening.

Sunday morning we cleaned up and went home to one last Blue Angels show. I'm not sure how I've made it through today without hearing those planes fly by. Here is a parting shot to remind us all why we were celebrating in the first place.

Many thanks to Doug for taking this picture.

Tune in again later this week. I'm hoping to get pictures of the tall ships leaving Baltimore tomorrow.