So Happy to Be at the Annapolis Boat Show

It's an October sight to behold!

The week-end proceeding Columbus Day is always special for us. It is the Annapolis Sail Boat Show from Thursday through Sunday and it usually coincides closely with our wedding anniversary. We are celebrating 19 years! Where did the time go? It has been a great ride with more to come!

This year we were checking out equipment to prepare for our circumnavigation. This means alternative energy sources, better communication systems (or at least figuring out how to maximize what we have), finding resources and talent to boost our learning curve. Yes, we have been at it for several years now, but there is so much to learn. That should help keep our brain cells functioning!

We are trying not to load the stern like this one!

We priced out new sails, solar panels, water generators, wind generators, pressure cookers, and a whole lot more. We really don't want to "junk up" the boat. The only thing we bought was some polishing agents, anti-mildew products and a winter cover for S/V Trillium. She is going to be sitting on land in the sun, snow and rain for a year, so we thought it best to protect the teak deck and our hatches and portholes. Hopefully we are not inviting a mold and mildew issue, too.



We had lunch with Tom (above) and Stuart,
crew from Atlantic Cup & Caribbean 1500

The best part of the boat show is seeing friends from various sailing groups. Some were getting ready to head to the islands; others are doing what we are: spending the next year getting the boat ready for the "big adventure!" We reunited with several of our former crew members and talked about which legs of the circumnavigation they may want to sail. We had lunches with Stuart from our first Caribbean 1500 Rally and Tom from our 2012 Atlantic Cup Rally. And we saw a lot of friends at the World Cruising Club Ocean Sailing Seminar.

Once again we said our "good-byes" to friends and S/V Trillium. (I always feel like I am leaving a family member behind when we drive away from the marina.) We are going to miss being with everyone in the Caribbean this winter, but we have bigger things to handle here at home.