The Doldrums in Annapolis

Most sailors know the meaning of “the doldrums” which is defined as an equatorial region of the Atlantic Ocean with calms, sudden storms, and light unpredictable winds. It is also defined as a state or period of inactivity, stagnation, or depression.

Our view from the service dock at Jabin’s.

Obviously since we are docked in Annapolis, the first definition does not apply to us. And though we are not inactive or depressed, we have been in a period of stagnation as we begin our 8th week at Jabin’s Yacht Yard.

Jabin’s has been a very good place to hang out, meet a few boaters and get to know a bit about Annapolis while we research some unexpected repairs LIB needs due to a lightning event.

During our first six months of cruising, we spent the majority of our time on the hook and very few days in a dock, so being tied to a dock has been a new experience for us. Our preference is to be at anchor and explore our surroundings from the water, but we are game for a bit of variety. We are making the best of this time while LIB is inert.

Summer in Annapolis can be warmish, maybe not Texas warm, but pretty hot.  The water in the docks is not inviting so a cooling swim is out of the question.  But we have managed to enjoy an impromptu beach party or two with our neighbors.  Mindy and Ron on Follow Me shared their bow for these gatherings.

There are not too many things more rewarding than a little shade, a sprinkler and a refreshing beverage during the heat of the day.

Mindy, Frank and Ron have a head start on me.

Many of our dock neighbors come and go more quickly than we have, so we are meeting many boaters with a variety of experiences.  It’s been fun to talk with them and swap experiences.  Seeing others leave is sometimes sad, but one nice aspect is that we already have friends in future destinations.  We look forward to meeting up with some of these new friends later in the year when we travel down the ICW.

After packing up and selling our land home and leaving friends we have known for years, it is especially nice to know we have friends in places we will visit soon.

Folks from Follow Me, The Abby, SeaQuest, Phantom and Let It Be enjoying spirited conversation and an excellent dinner at Jack’s Fortune, a nearby Chinese Restaurant.

While in the U.S., access to food, electronics, services and toys is amazingly easy.  So we are taking advantage of the availability since we have it.  While LIB was in charter, we had two stand up paddle boards used by our charterers.  Those boards saw a LOT of action and bear quite a few dings and bruises.  Also, based on how heavy they are now, they have absorbed a bunch of water. In fact, they are so heavy I can no longer launch them or stow them and Frank has to do it.

While we have access to a plethora of choices, we decided to order some new SUPs and are waiting to pick them up.  Our new boards, by Bote, are a bit shorter than the last ones and much lighter.

These SUPs have full track pads so Captain will have good footing on the new boards without our adding outdoor carpeting like we did on our original boards.  I’m looking forward to being able to use the SUP without bothering Frank every time.

One fun options for these boards is a “tackle rack” which will hold fishing poles and allows you to secure an ice chest.  I think it would be pretty fun to paddle down some tiny creeks and fish from the SUP…. we might have a new activity on LIB.

Frank and I have a trip planned to CA to visit our son, Clayton.  I am super excited to see him and get the tour of where he is living and working.  As a family we have always enjoyed spending time together and seeing my sons less often has been quite an adjustment.

Still, we raised them to be independent, productive young men so I can’t complain now that they have successfully achieved that goal.  Instead I will relish the time we do have together and pester them via phone and text between visits.

Thanks for stopping by, readers. We’ll let you know as things progress on LIB.