The Falkirk Wheel was completed in 2002 to connect the restored Union and Forth & Clyde Canals, replacing 11 locks that once covered the 115-ft difference in level. The wheel is a unique rotating boat lift that raises and lowers vessels between the two canals. Falkirk is essentially on the route between Edinburgh and Greenock,…
Castine, Maine
Our planned month long stay in our old hometown of Castine, Maine flew by. The crew apologizes for being remiss in their blog postings but it has been a busy time. Of course, there has been swimming.There was swimming at Indian Bar.And Fort Madis…
Edinburgh
Edinburgh came into being beneath Castle Rock, a rocky crag overlooking the coastal route to central Scotland from northeast England. A fortification existed there since at least the 7th century, and a royal castle since the reign of King David I in the 12th century. Today Edinburgh Castle is one of Scotland’s most popular tourist…
The Aftermath of Hurricane Harvey
Rockport Harbor
“Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it.” —Charles R. Swindoll
It’s been a long week and our family was lucky, truly blessed that we all survived and so did our homes and boat, but the devastation that has taken place in our special little town of Rockport and to the rest of Texas is heart wrenching. The total loss of so many homes and businesses is unbelievable and almost unimaginable. One day everything is just as it’s always has been…and the next day the world as you knew it has been turned upside down. Our mind knows how all these places should look, but your eyes are now seeing something totally different. We are Rockport strong…Texas strong and these places will come back.
In September 2015 I did a blog post called Going for a Walk: Rockport Harbor it showed our wonderful little neighborhood around the marina…here’s a look at it today after Hurricane Harvey. I have included before and after pictures.
Aquarium at Rockport Harbor
Marley was moved to the Texas State Aquarium on Thursday before the storm. I hope he’s doing well in his new home.
This giant hermit crab was always my favorite…he survived and was released a few days after the storm.
Rockport Art Center
The building was heavily damaged but the sculptures in the Sculpture Garden looked wonderful.
This sculpture is named “Into the Wind”. She faces the bay…she faced the eye of the storm and remained strong.
This crab stood at the entrance to Rockport Beach…hopefully it can be placed one day.
The Bay Education Center looks like it survived the storm…not sure of any damage inside.
The Texas Maritime Museum also looks like it fared well…just a little roof damage.
One of the things we really enjoy about keeping our boat in Rockport Harbor is being able to walk over to one of the bait shops for fresh shrimp…I know they’ll rebuild but we’ll miss them until they do. This is Flemings…our favorite place to get fresh shrimp.
Thanks for reading our blog and spending part of your day with us. The Pearl is also on Facebook – stop by and say hi or follow us on Instragramor Google+.
Time To Travel
From the glorious J-class sloops, we move on to the even more compelling fishing schooners, such as Columbia (above). This …Read More
The Bay
It’s another one of those peaceful Sunday mornings (My favorite way to start a day) quiet, overcast, the view from the salon window is like an old photograph, and so far, other than a few geese, there’s not a soul stirring around the harbor.
We’re now tied up at Solomons Island, MD – Spring Cove Marina where we’re spending a soggy Labor Day Weekend. Though the sun may make an appearance today, it’s probably too little too late; a disappointment for those deserving a sunny respite from work. Especially for the marina operators; all prepped to handle the large crowd of boaters who for the most part have canceled reservations.
So far, we’re enjoying the bay, we always do. I like motoring to all our favorite towns and marinas while mostly running in deep-ish water — comfortable cruising — unlike the attention demanding shallow windings of the ICW or the long runs offshore with only the occasional ship or pod of dolphin to break the monotony. Mel likes the local restaurants serving good Blue Crab and local fish… and the little shops. We both enjoy bumping into old acquaintances and making new ones, this seems to happen a lot on the Chesapeake.
Lady M, Marty and Amy, we’ve known them for years. Now 88, Marty and his girlfriend Amy have been running up and down the east coast longer than most of us have been able to spell BOAT. Marty is a wealth of knowledge and experience, he’s our personal cruising guide. If we have doubts about an inlet or a marina, we call Marty. Been there done that, many times. Yes, we can get that same info from a publication or online, but Marty usually shares an amusing anecdote to augment his bits of wisdom. We always enjoy their company and we did for the few days at Atlantic Yacht Basin while repairing our lightning damage. (Which, by the way, seems all good)
Leaving AYB and heading out into the Chesapeake, we found the Bay to be a bit sloppy, but soon the tide changed direction and all settled down.
Around Thimble Shoals Light, we made way toward the York River, Gloucester Point, VA and York River Yacht Haven. We’ve done this many times so with the comfort of following former track lines, we effortlessly skirted the shoal and eased into the marina.
We were surprised to see Southern Star on the same T-head. Istaboa was briefly tied next to N-47 Southern Star while at Old Port Cove. Later we got together with Ted and Jenny and we’ve enjoyed their company several times since.
Nice folks.
YRYH gave us a great tie, out on a T-head with a killer view from our stern. Waking early every morning and having my coffee with the sun rising above Sarah Creek was always a pleasure and certainly worth the effort of getting out of bed.
While at YRYH we endured a tropical disturbance that could have been much worse. With wind constantly blowing hard, gusts to 40mph, and hard rain all day, we discovered a couple of good leaks. Nothing that we couldn’t quickly stop, although they did require some creativity to overcome. Wind and rain found the tiny breaches, duct tape and a plastic bag stemmed the leaks. A proper fix was done the following dry day.
The next morning brought an end to bad weather and we started that day with sunny skies and pleasant temps. It’s been a long time since we’ve experienced mid 70º temps, we’re actually wearing pants. Nice.
So after a few days of weather, both good and bad, we untied and pulled out of York River.
We like YRYH; they’ve made many changes for the better and as we did a few years ago, we booked our slip there on a monthly. We’ll be returning from time to time, making this our base on the Bay. It’s a nicely tucked away marina that will make for a decent hiding hole in a blow. (we hope)
Our 90 mile run from YRYH to Solomons was nice and smooth. On the way up we passed through the fleet of commercial fishing boats from Reedville. We presume the Menhaden must be schooling.
Now and for good reason, everyone’s attention is on Hurricane Irma. Our intentions are to hang here for a few more days and take care of some biz. Then move on to Herrington Harbour and Annapolis, if we don’t have to head back to York River to hide out.
We’d like to visit old friends over at St Micheal’s and stop at a few more little port towns along the Eastern Shore before heading back — we’ll see.
Damn, it seems every hurricane update brings even worse news for everyone on the East Coast. It’s still early in development so no reason to start battening down the hatches yet – – time will tell.
Fake News? Don’t bet on that.
Just crossing fingers for now.
Adios,
Nordhavn 57-26 Istaboa
The Bay
It’s another one of those peaceful Sunday mornings… My favorite way to start a day — quiet, overcast, the view from the salon window is like an old photograph, and so far, other than a few gulls, there’s not a soul stirring around the harbor.
We’re now tied up in Solomons Island, MD at Spring Cove Marina where we’re spending a soggy Labor Day Weekend. Though the sun may make an appearance today, it’s probably too little too late and has been a disappointment for those deserving a sunny respite from work. Especially for the marina operators; all prepped to handle the large crowd of boaters, who for the most part have canceled reservations due to weather.
So far, we’re enjoying the bay, we always do. I like motoring to all our favorite towns and marinas while mostly running in deep-ish water — very comfortable cruising — unlike the attention demanding shallow windings of the ICW. Mel likes the local restaurants serving good Blue Crab and local fish… and the little shops. We both enjoy bumping into old acquaintances and making new ones, this seems to happen a lot on the Chesapeake.
Lady M, Marty and Amy, we’ve known them for years. Now 88, Marty and his girlfriend Amy — have been running up and down the east coast for so many years. Marty is a wealth of knowledge and experience, he’s our personal cruising guide. If we have doubts about an inlet or a marina, we call Marty. Been there done that, many times. We always enjoy their company and did for the few days while repairing our lightning damage at Atlantic Yacht Basin. (Which, by the way, seems all good)
Leaving AYB and heading out into the Chesapeake, we found the Bay to be a bit sloppy, but soon the tide changed direction and all settled down.
Around Thimble Shoals Light, we made way toward the York River, Gloucester Point, VA and York River Yacht Haven. We’ve done this many times so with the comfort of previous track lines on our charts, we easily skirted the shoal and eased into the marina.
We were surprised to see Southern Star on the same T-head. Istaboa was briefly tied next to N-47 Southern Star while at Old Port Cove. Later we got together with Ted and Jenny and we’ve enjoyed their company several times since.
Nice folks.
They gave us a great tie at YRYH, out on a T-head with a killer view from our stern. Waking early every morning and having my coffee with the sun rising above Sarah Creek was always a pleasure and certainly worth the effort of getting out of bed.
While at YRYH we endured a tropical disturbance that could have been much worse. With wind constantly blowing hard, gusts to 40mph, and hard rain all day, we discovered a couple of good leaks. Nothing that we couldn’t quickly stop, although they did require some creativity to overcome. Wind and rain found the weak spots, duct tape and a plastic bag stemmed the leaks until a proper fix was done the following dry day.
The next morning brought an end to bad weather and we started that day with sunny skies and pleasant temps. It’s been a long time since we’ve experienced mid 70º temps, we’re actually wearing pants. Nice.
So after a few days of weather, both good and bad, we untied and pulled out of York River.
We like YRYH and they’ve made many changes for the better. As we did a few years ago, we’ve decided to book our slip there on a monthly so we’ll return from time to time, making this our base on the Bay. It’s a nicely tucked away marina that will make for a decent hiding hole in a blow. (we hope)
Our 90 mile run from YRYH to Solomons was nice and smooth. On the way up we passed through the fleet of commercial fishing boats from Reedville. We assume the Menhaden must be schooling up.
Now, everyone’s attention is on Hurricane Irma. Our intentions are to hang here for a few more days and take care of some biz. Then move on to Herrington Harbour and Annapolis, if we don’t have to head back to York River to hide out.
We’d like to visit old friends over at St Micheal’s and stop at a few more little port towns along the Eastern Shore before heading back, but we’ll see.
Damn, it seems every hurricane update brings even worse news for everyone on the East Coast, time will tell.
Fake News? Don’t bet on that.
Fingers crossed for now.
Adios,
Nordhavn 57-26 Istaboa
Washington, DC. 1 September 2017
Nancy, a friend who lived in this area for years, suggested a trip to the historic Frederick Douglass home so that’s what we did. I made reservations, we rode our bikes down teeth-jarring streets and side walks but found a smoother and shorter route home via the Anacostia Trail.
Maybe years ago in school’s history classes, we were taught about Frederick Douglass, but if so, it’s long faded from my memory. This was a very sobering lesson in the tenacity and perseverence of this man who was born into slavery as Frederick Alugustus Washington Bailey.
His mother, a slave, was forced to leave him as an infant. He never knew the identity of his white father who was possibly his mother’s owner. He lived in poverty, crowded into two rooms with grandparents and cousins. He was a slave–listed on an inventory along with mules and bushels of wheat. All this adversity didn’t break his spirit for he had an intellectual curiosity underterred by his circumstances.
When he was 8, he was sent to Baltimore to be a house servant. His owner’s wife began teaching him to read but her husband walked in on a teaching session and became very angry warning that education means “there will be no keeping him”. That’s when Frederick realized that “knowledge is freedom” so he taught himself to read and write in secret knowing that education was the pathway from slavery to freedom. He would trace over words in discarded spelling books until his handwriting was smooth and graceful.
By age 13 he was reading articles about the abolition of slavery to other slaves and when he escaped to freedom, Frederick eagerly used his hard-earned wisdom to lecture against slavery and to fight for the emancipation-not only of blacks but also women and other oppressed people.
When he was 20, he dressed as a sailor, boarded a train and escaped to freedom in NYC. He married the woman who aided his escape, moved to MA and adopted Douglass as his surname from Sir Walter Scott’s poem, Lady of the Lake.
Over his lifetime, his triumphs were many: abolitionist, women’s rights activist, author, owner-editor of newspapers, fluent speaker of many languages, Minister to Haiti, and most respected African American orator of the 1800’s.
His home is on a high hill overlooking the city and was purchased by and is maintained by the National Park Service. While visiting we watched a video and it was so moving that I watched it again that evening at home. If you’re interested, the 33 minute video is very engaging.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxZClqEnRwQ
Thank you, Nancy, for steering us in this direction.
August 2017 Washington, DC and area – Upstate NY – Washington, DC
The first August morning and first day in Washington, DC, we got a late start on our morning walk meaning we finished when it was pretty dad gum hot. We walked from Gangplank over to Potomac Park, walked its perimeter, and back home totaling 6.6 miles. Pretty sweat-drenched when we got home but our walk felt good and we are so happy to be back in this city.
View of Washington Monument as we walked across the bridge to Haines Point.
Looking north up the Potomac
A northward view up the Potomac River from our fly bridge
Condos and apartments by the hundreds are being built on DC’s Waterfront
Washington’s well-known seafood market
Soon after arriving in Washington, we drove to upstate NY, Bill’s home, to celebrate, Doris, his sister’s, 88th birthday, and also the marriage of our great niece, Rachelle.
Along the way we relaxed along the Susquehanna River, PA, for a lunch stop.
The wedding venue was an elegant old home with perfectly landscaped and manicured grounds.
A lounging area shrouded by a misting rain.
The historic home where rehearsal party/dinner as well as part of the wedding reception was held.
A GREAT Aunt and Uncle at Rachelle and Rob’s fun fun fun wedding!
We’re having a most fun weekend of eating, drinking, dancing, and celebrating Rob and Rachelle’s marriage in Geneseo, NY.
It’s the “Greats” again!
A pastoral scene on my morning walk from Doris’s
Letchworth State Park, NY
Letchworth State Park, New York, is proported to be the Grand Canyon of the east. Doesn’t quite rival THE Grand Canyon but this is a deep canyon cut by the Genesee River.
In the mornings, my days began with coffee in Doris’s huge back yard, stretched out in her swing. Some mornings I was shivering in the 64 freezing degrees in Williamson, NY! Brrrrr! What a great way to start the day.
I am from a very small family—very few relatives on my father’s side and (what I considered) “a whole bunch” on my mother’s side—maximum of 10—no more—for family get-togethers. The numbers of Bill’s relatives are legion! Yesterday for the 88th birthday of his sister, Doris, there were upwards of 42 of her/our kin in her backyard. And that’s not all! Quite a few were unable to make it due to a honeymoon, working out of town, etc. I kidded her saying it’s all because of her that her progeny is so great. And at her party, a new pregnancy of 8 weeks was announced with an ultrasound photo in Doris’s birthday card. That caused much happiness and rejoicing.
Lunch with sister-in-law, Doris; adorable and brilliant niece, Teagan, from South Carolina; and long-suffering husband, Bill, at Genesee Brew House. We’re on the deck overlooking the Genesee River.
Isn’t Teagan adorable! Kodak building in background. If only I had some wire to put into her pigtails I could turn her into Pippi Long Stockings. Don’t think college freshmen looked that young and cute back in the day. And the brilliance and creativity inside that cute little head…!!!
Genesee River
Rochester, NY
Another view of Rochester
Lots of people out enjoying Canandaigua City Park and the 71 degree August weather.
Canandaigua Lake, NY
Too bad this little ice cream shop wasn’t open—sure is cute!
Some of the little houses along the docks. Wonder if they’re called “dock houses”?
Upstate NY is really beautiful with gorgeous farms and rolling hills. Our visit and celebrations were wonderful fun but t’was time to return home.
Years ago in DC, we met Charmaine, a cycling dynamo and also a member of the Bike Friday “cult”. We were looking forward to reuniting with her on this trip. The 3 of us met for dinner at Elephant and Castle on Pennsylvania Avenue. After dinner, she, Bill, and I are enjoying the Navy band at the US Navy Memorial, also on Pennsylvania Ave.
When the Army song was played, a woman next to us popped up and stood at attention not moving a muscle. That made me have wet eyes and gave me goose bumps. I’m so proud to be an American, exceedingly thankful for our freedom and appreciative of those who served and are currently defending our country.
I love this city!!! I LOVE the ethnic diversity; the various skin colors; myriad of facial features; the many languages and dialects. This is very refreshing because I weary of the homogeneity of many of our cities and towns. It’s so refreshing to see not just Caucasians and hear not only English. I’m loving every second of being here and everyone is so convivial. If I didn’t know better I’d think I was in the deep south. And I love how we can get anywhere in a heart beat on our bikes while cars sit in traffic polluting and tourists trudge through the heat looking exhausted. The educational opportunities here are endless as are the chances for fabulous workouts to say nothing of the inexhaustible bikeways and sidewalks for walking and running. Bill really enjoys running on the packed dirt on the Mall. And I love cycling regardless of the surface.
Bill’s the spreadsheet guru of our family and I (almost always) just fly by the seat of my pants. Life’s more fun that way. Just never know what’s going to happen next! BUT, I’ve developed a spread sheet of the whens, wheres, and whats of each day. Don’t want to miss a beat and no way to check everything off the list. We’ve been here a month at a time twice before and this time for 2 months and our dance card is already maxed out. Maybe next year we can be here for 3 months. The marina is primarily live aboards–transients are rare birds here– but they’ve embraced us with out stretched arms– into their community.
I may never come down from my endorphin high from a Saturday workout. Right here at our front door on Saturdays is a yoga class and a heart-racing, fast paced workout led by a guy who must be propelled by jet fuel. With great trepidation, I went to the 9 AM workout, got on back row certain I wouldn’t be able to keep up and would have to bail. What an incredible experience and tremendous endorphin high creating for me a euphoric state lasting for the rest of the day. Doing repetitive jumping jacks changing direction with every 2nd one, squats, etc., all to fast-paced music was something I haven’t done in years and frankly, never envisioned ever getting to do again. Have no idea where the pre-conditioning came from since, unfortunately, “exercise doesn’t keep”, but I zipped through that 50 minute workout like I’d been doing that several times a week forever. Had to pinch myself to see if it was really me! I was soaked to the bone and dripping with sweat. The 50 minute yoga afterward was just a cool-down and much needed. Should I attribute my success to my new pace maker or to his cuteness? Whatever!!! I’ve not done an aerobic workout like that in years–maybe even decades. Can’t wait for Saturday morns. Come along if you’re near.
Have I said yet that I’m loving it here? The opportunities? The people?? Fantastic! I’ll just be corny and say, “I HEART Washington, DC”
Lunch with boating friends from Severna Park, Tom, our cycling guru, and Elinor. We met half way and had a magnificent time catching up. Guess it’s because it’s “new” but really entertained by taking public transportation here. It’s fast, efficient, I can read en route—but the people-watching is supurb. We took the train and met them in New Carrollton.
We enjoy Friday Night Jazz in the Sculpture Garden and this scene is a great example of “human kindness” till the Anti-Dance Mafia came along and called a halt to this man’s fun. He was having the time of his life and good for that gal who stopped to dance with him.
“No fun allowed here!!!”
Never a lack of activity around here. This Dragon Boat race went on all day long one Saturday complete with a Man with a Mike who loved the sound of his voice!
One morning I left home at 0715 (to beat the heat) to ride the Anacostia Trail. Another one checked off my list. Very few bike commuters but the vehicular traffic—oh, my word!!! Inhaling exhaust fumes was awful. Have I said yet how much I love this place, the opportunities, the people, and the cultural diversity. We’re extending our stay past our intended 2 months which would’ve ended 30 September. But when the frost is on the pumpkin, we’ll be making southern tracks.
The Anacostia Riverwalk Trail is an important piece of the transportation network here and was a priority project under President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative. The planned 28-mile trail, spanning both sides of the Anacostia River, connects DC residents in 16 waterfront neighborhoods, to their workplaces, schools, shopping, recreational amenities and the outdoors. It provides access to Diamond Teague Park, the historic Navy Yard, RFK Stadium, and Anacostia Park. It runs through beautiful Kenilworth Aquatic Garden and connects to the Anacostia River Trail in Maryland. The trail provides access to a number of national treasures including the Tidal Basin (famous for its cherry blossoms in the spring), the National Arboretum, and the National Mall — US Capitol, Smithsonian museums, the Washington Monument and other iconic landmarks.
Cycling at night in DC is a unique way to see the city. The tourists are all exhausted and are back in their hotels so we had it to ourselves. Quiet! Beautiful! A gentle breeze. We could see so much more without droves of people everywhere. Loved it!
Great lunch at a fun Greek restaurant in Arlington, Kapnos Taverna, with boating friends—Elle, Dick, Ted, and Nancy–and eclipse watching. I had grilled octopus that was deliciously scrumptious. Then we went outside to enjoy the eclipse. Thoughtful Nancy had the proper eye wear for us else we’d have been peering through a cereal box or something less creative. A memorable day with long-time friends.
While Bill did his varnishing, I wanted a re-do of the Holocaust Museum. I’m glad I went and can check that one off the list. I learned things I don’t remember from my first visit and found the shoes, photos, and old movie clips as moving and poignant as ever. The museum was packed and despite the throngs, everyone treated it as a hallowed place. If there was any conversation at all, it was in low whispers. It isn’t a pleasurable visit but should be a must-see by every American. Its very effective aim is to educate the American public about the historical experience of an excruciatingly painful kind, so much so that it would be a calloused visitor who would emerge from there unmoved. The emotional, moral, and pedagogical impact the museum makes is powerful.
Sadly, this museum won’t protect Jews or other minorities from genocide in the future but it informs and bears witness to the Holocaust’s existence, providing a warning to whomever wishes to learn from it, that those who would dehumanize people in order to destroy them, also dehumanize themselves.
On a lighter note, we went to Strathmore College for the Arts for their annual on-the-lawn Uke Fest. It was fun and incredible to watch and hear the sounds that the skilled musicians can extract from that little 4 string instrument. It’s inspired me to dig mine out, dust it off, and begin from scratch — again— in learning to play. The evening air was so comfortable making for a delightful respite.
Bill’s using his Multi-Master to remove Thyocol on decks so I cycled to Arlington to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier—always a somber and moving experience—then to the Sculpture Garden for Friday Night Jazz — then to a SW venue for Jazz at Six. They wouldn’t let me in because I didn’t have $5!!! Stopped at Safeway and in the park area there, there were steel drums and reggae. Nobody asked me for $5. Really—does anybody ever carry money anymore? Got my phone and Apple Pay. What more do I need? $5, I guess.
I headed out on a solo ride to Silver Spring but needed a bagel and coffee stop in Bethesda to refuel. The Capital Crescent Trail is gooder’n great and was a wonderful day of going outside to play all by myself.
Chain Bridge
My little Bike Friday in foreground
Arlington National Cemetery encapsulates America’s history—a living tribute to our Nation’s past and how it continues to thrive through the service and sacrifice of those willing to dedicate their life to her ideals.
As far as the eye can see in every direction….
This national shrine is the final resting place for more than 400,000 active duty service members, veterans and their families. “Service to country” is the common thread that binds all who are honored and remembered here.
The cemetery is located on land that once belonged to George Washington Custis, grandson of Martha Washington and step-grandson of George. In 1857, Custis willed the 1100 acre property to his daughter who was married to Robert E. Lee. After the Lee family vacated the estate in 1861 at the beginning of the Civil War, federal troops occupied the acreage as a camp and headquarters.
The number of Civil War casualties was outpacing other local Washington, DC-based cemeteries, the property became a burial location. The War Department allocated 200 acres of the property to use as a cemetery and by the end of the war, thousands of service members and former slaves were buried there. Approximately 27-30 funeral services are conducted every single week. More than 3,000 ceremonies and memorial services also take place at the cemetery each year.
A walking tour was available for the MLK March so we jumped on that. The memorial is exquisite, preserving his memory. He was a visionary, minister, and an intellectual, unwavering advocate of social justice, and martyr to peace, equality, and justice. Although most widely known for his leading role in the African-American civil rights movement in the United States, Dr. King was also a tireless advocate for the nation’s working class and the oppressed around the world.
The monument reinforces the place of his courageous leadership in our nation’s march toward freedom, proudly standing in the vista between the Lincoln Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial.
It was on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial that Dr. King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech, reaffirming his belief in the ultimate redeemability of the words in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence as that “promissory note to which every American will fall heir.”
There is so much symbolism in the orientation of the monument, the color and quality of the granite from which it is carved, and its environs of stone, earth, and water. His speech the day before his death was sadly prophetic. “…I don’t know what will happen now…but it doesn’t really matter…because I’ve been to the mountaintop….Like anybody, I would like to live a long life…. I’m not concerned about that now, I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go to the mountain. And I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the Promised Land….” The next day he was assassinated in Memphis.This was particularly significant to us because we were recently in Memphis and visited the museum and motel where Dr. King’s life ended.
For a little over a week I kept an eye on the Corpse Flower that was on the verge of blooming in the U.S. Botanic Garden. T’was very enlightening to see this rare event in the life of this plant.
The corpse flower is huge—it has the largest unbranched inforescence (the complete flower head of a plant including stems, stalks, bracts, and flowers; a cluster of multiple flowers that sometimes looks like a single flower.) in the world. The flowers are located at the base of the spadix inside the spathe. There are 100’s of flowers in one inflorescence.
This flower stores energy in a huge underground stem called a “corm”. Each year, the corm will produce either a leaf to increase the energy stores through photosynthesis or an inflorescence to produce seeds for reproduction. Since such a large bloom requires lots of energy, it can take several years to several decades to store enough energy to bloom.
The dramatic blooming process begins with the unfurling of the spathe and revealing of the spadix. Once the bloom is fully open, it emits a rotting meat odor. The corpse flower gets its name from the putrid scent it emits while in bloom. Some describe it as a combo of garlic, fish, diapers, and rotting meat. The stench serves to attract pollinators, such a carrion beetles and flies.
It may remain in bloom for 24-48 hours, and then it will collapse quickly.
This plant is native to the tropical rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia, and was first known to science in 1878. In their natural habitat, corpse flower plants can grow up to 12’ tall. Guess I’m easily entertained but this was enthralling and I paid a daily visit for days.
Once upon a time, long long ago, Kindred Spirit III was in Ashley Marina, Charleston. Our home in Greenville, SC, sold in a heart beat so I moved on board. Bill was still working so he was commuting. No idea what came over me but I knocked on the hull of a sail boat one day and made the acquaintance of Curt and Judy. When Bill came home for the weekend, he met them and we’ve been fast friends since and have rendezvoused with them in various places along the waterways over the years. Our favorite, of course, is being at their dock and visiting in their home in Lusby, MD.
Said all that to say this—Curt used to live in Morocco and they’ve traveled extensively so today the 4 of us enjoyed a Moroccan meal in Arlington. It was a entertaining cultural and gastronomic escapade for us and chatting with them is always a treat. Curt’s never forgotten a thing he’s ever known and we love listening to him. Judy’s an artist making jewelry from genuine sea glass.
The Arena Stage acros the street from us had a huge sale—costumes, shoes, wigs, props, you name it. They also had entertainment on all 4…or 5 levels of the venue with music, aerial acrobatics, and acrobatics. Free! Entertainment in this city costs next to nothing. All that needed is to just show up!
Surely I’m omitting some of what we’ve seen and done but considering the length of this “month’s report”, one wouldn’t think so. Loving it! Loving it! Loving it! Will attempt conciseness next month—famous last words!
Bill and Laura
Aboard Kindred Spirit III
Gangplank Marina
Washington, DC
Georgian Bay & North Channel bread crumbs….
Bread crumbs, indeed. Our travels on this cruise, in fact, every time the boat moves, are guided by our chartplotting program. For non-boater readers, it can be likened to Google Maps. Our position is shown in real time overlaid on a chart of the area. If it shows waterways, it’s a chart, maps show roads. […]
