If you're looking for a quiet, peaceful anchorage, Annapolis harbor isn't it. But there's always something interesting going by to look at. And on the long July 4th weekend, there were more interesting things than usual. (Above photos: serious patriotic display, Half-Shell, an old oyster buy-boat converted to charter use, and sunset over the harbor.)
When we left our slip at Petrini's for the last time Friday morning, the harbor was already filling up. We snagged the last available mooring, put up our awnings, and then watched from the shade as more and more boats went out to anchor in front of the Naval Academy.
The 4th of July was hot and muggy. We'd invited some friends to join us to watch the fireworks; they called us from City Dock and we dinghied down "Ego Alley", the channel that leads to the small turning basin in the middle of downtown, to pick them up. We had snacks on Windom, then dinghied over to the rock wall by the Academy to watch the Independence Day parade.
We took a turn around the anchorage, astonished at the huge number of boats anchored out in the not-very-protected Severn. Big ones, small ones, multi-million-dollar motoryachts and teeny sailboats. Right in the middle was the fireworks barge, surrounded by a zone marked with "KEEP OUT" buoys.
Back at the boat, as we ate our grilled burgers and drank beer (traditionalists that we are!) we watched a parade of a different sort, as a steady procession of boats headed out to the Severn to get in position for the fireworks. Most flew American flags, and many were decorated in other ways, flying decorative streamers and banners. It seemed like the whole town was out in the water...until we looked back at the city and saw the streets lined with people, too.
It was no doubt a lot nicer out on the relatively cool water than on the hot city streets, but it was still pretty darn hot. We'd been avoiding swimming -- there are jellyfish, and the harbor water isn't exactly pristine -- but gave in to the urge as the mercury climbed and the beer was consumed. Mmmmm.
The fireworks display was spectactular. Our cockpit had a great view; we could see the trails of the rockets as they were launched from the barge, and then exploded and lit the sky. Every boat by law must carry a horn, and we heard lots of horn blasts as people on the boats around us expressed their appreciation for the show.
Even after the last bomb burst in mid-air, the action continued. All the boats that had streamed by us in the afternoon headed back to their slips; this time, since it was dark, they all sported their navigation lights. It was like hundreds of green, red, and white fireflies. What a parade!