Solomons is a very walkable town. Which is a good thing for sailors like us, who pretty much walk everywhere once on land. From the various landing places, most stores are within a mile or two.
There are no less than a dozen marinas to choose from. A lot of marinas offer free book swaps. I really enjoy this. We always anchor, but visited one to get a repair made on the swim ladder.
With Solomons having a large sailing community, there is a West Marine store. Brian ordered a cover for the new compass on Wednesday and was told it would arrive on Friday. It arrived the next day. Great service.
Thursday, July 9
Brian and the boys went on a trash run and donated some books. Then Brian and I went to town and had lunch at Roy Rogers after he had picked up his compass cover.
Later that afternoon the boys went to the library.
Friday, July 10
Back to West Marine for tape to rewrap the dinghy handles. We walked all over town looking for a church we had read about online. We could not find it, which was very weird.
We did find a fun photo op.
We happened by the visitors center for the biological research lab located on the island. Back at the boat we had lunch and then went swimming at the Comfort Inn pool. Brain asked permission first, and we were thrilled when they said yes.
Back to the boat for dinner and a movie. We watched the classic Where the Red Fern Grows.
Saturday, July 11
Reading the news, Brian discovered it was 7-11 Day. So we loaded up to hang out at the library and later stopped by 7-11 for our free slushies.
Sunday, July 12
We walked on the board walk. The boys got ice cream cones at the local stand. Brian got popcorn. We were debating about leaving the next day to move on when we came across a banner promoting VBS that week. Nathan said he would like to go, so the decision was made to stay another week.
We also met a fellow liveaboard who was anchored out. He has been here several months and gave us the lowdown on the town. His boat is a bright yellow trimaran with hand painted pictures. It reminded me of a 60's VW bus. Sorry I didn't get a picture to post.
Later, walking again, Brian the the older boys came across a tire in a dumpster. Brian has been wanting to make sandals from an old tire, something he read about online. Tire sandals are supposed to be indestructible, and with as much walking as we now do, we need indestructible; some of us more than others. So they went back later with some tools and brought back the usable parts.
Monday, July 13
We dropped Nathan off at VBS and then went to the library. Back to the boat for lunch after picking Nathan up. After lunch it was time to make a template for the sandals.
Cutting the tire proved to be harder than antisipated. We just didn't have the proper tool. So now we are on the lookout for a motorcycle tire or a little spare tire doughnut. Thinner rubber, but still strong. Templates are filed away for now.
Tuesday, July 14
Nathan to VBS. Us to the library. Pick up Nathan, back to the boat for lunch. That afternoon we worked on cleaning the outside of the boat and dinghy.
Wednesday, July 15
Again, Nathan to VBS, then Caleb and Jacob went to hang out at the library while Luke, Brian and I caught the bus to cross the river to California, MD, to the closest Wal-Mart for groceries. Shopping went fine. But we missed our bus to come back to Solomons and had to wait two hours for the next one. It was very exciting. We watched people and traffic go by, Luke and I played squares on notebook paper. We watched ants carrying a dead catipillar away from their hill.
No trouble getting back on the next bus. Called Jacob to pick us up and back to the boat to put everything away.
Thursday, July 16
Nathan to VBS. Brian had a conference call on the boat. The older three boys and I did laundry on the public dock. We set up our little Wonder Washer and the boys took turns carrying a bucket up to the restrooms for HOT water. After a load was done, we rung out the clothes and then divided them up to go rinse in the restroom sink, then back to the bench to semi dry until we could go back to the boat and hang on the lifelines.
Friday, July 17
Nathan to VBS. The rest of us walked to the library. I had gotten the hours mixed up so it wasn't open, but we sat outside and read and did tablets anyway. Brian and I walked to a nearby yard and looked at boats. Then we hurried back to the church for the end of week program.
On Monday all of the kids had made tie dye shirts and were supposed to wear them on Friday.
The kids sang all of the songs they had learned during the week.
Went through each days Bible point.
They finished with prayer and a group photo.
We dropped the boys back at the boat and Brian and I went on a lunch date. Then we picked up a Redbox movie to watch later with the family. We chose Mall Cop 2 with Kevin James. Funny movie!
Back from our errand and lunch, Brian did some work on the engine and painted it to help prevent corrosion.
At 4:00 the boys went to an open field and played ultimate frisbe with another cruising family that has a 16 year old son. They had a great time. Back at the boat we had a light dinner, popped popcorn and enjoyed our movie.
Saturday, July 18
We are back at the library for this blog update. Later we will return our movie and get the boat ready to head out tomorrow if the weather is good. Plans are to go to Deale, MD and then on to Annapolis.
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