Antoher day in Oriental

Day 14 Saturday, April 29, 2017

You can monitor my trip at the link: Little Star's Progress Live

I mentioned the Silos yesterday but didn't show any pictures

day began as before with a trip to The Bean and a scone.  They were out of cinnamon so I had to settle for a blueberry which was just as good. We had the pleasure of sitting with an older gentleman who has lived here for something like 19 years.  He has a sailboat and a cruiser and of course we had a great conversation about boating subjects.  He also talked at length about the personalities and the goings on in the Oriental area.  He said that there were three different crowds that come to the Bean.  The place opens at 7:00 but the w0rking folks stop by at 6:30 to get their coffee and breakfast snack.  Then at 7:00 the “liberal” crowd comes in and sits around expressing their views.  Finally at 9:00 the conservative group comes on the scene. He seemed to be amazed in the difference in the

The bar on the second floor of the Silo

three crowds.  He also told us that The Bean is closed on Sunday, but then opens as Saint Bean.

After breakfast, Janine and I walked down to the area where the cyclists were gathering for an 8:00 start.  Several of the West Virginia group left early in anticipation of taking what they call a Century Ride, 100 miles.  When the clock stuck 8, a throng of hundreds of riders rolled through an inflatable arch which had a bubble machine throwing a fog of bubbles into the air. 

The start of the ride

Back at the boat, we mostly hung around doing little odds and ends to pass the time.  I got down in the dinghy to scrub off some black marks on the side of the boat that we had picked up at a dock.  I was unable to get the dinghy back to the dock because of pilings so I had to climb back over the side of the boat to get back aboard.  It was really tough and if that had been in open water, I wouldn’t have been able to do it.

After the riders returned, we joined them at the Otown Restaurant where they had lunch. The most significant thing that we did during the afternoon was to cross the street to The Bean for a scoop of peaches and cream ice cream.

The cycle group received a free dinner as part of their package so Janine and I hiked M&M Restaurant where we both had a wonderful chicken pot pie.  They turned out to be huge and neither of us could finish them and still have room to share a piece of bread pudding.  The waitress warned us that the pudding was huge and we were amazed at how big it turned out to be.  We ate half of it, put the remainder in a take home box and promptly left it on the table when we departed.  When I got out to the street, I realized that I had left it so I went back to the table to get it.  In that short bit of time, the table had been cleaned and another couple were checking out their menus.

The Marina manager

The evening entertainment was a three piece band who performed on the porch of the marina office.  They had a loud electric base, a semi loud guitar and a fiddler who was really not very good.  However, they played tunes familiar to the crowd who seemed not to notice their lack of skill.

The band continued and we headed back to the boat.  We were tired enough that we slept in spite of the melodic sounds coming the marina porch.

 

A day in Oriental

Day 13 Friday, April 28, 2017

You can monitor my trip at the link: Little Star's Progress Live

We began our day with a short walk across the street where we each enjoyed a cinnamon scone and a cup of coffee at The Bean.  It is the big first day of the cycle trips and there was quite a line of folks trying to get their morning nourishment. 

 

Tent City

The riders all left at round 9:00 and headed out on either 15, 25, or 45 mile trips around the flat countryside surrounding Oriental. It is amazing to see all of the different brightly colored outfits that these folks all wear.  In talking to several of them about their clothes, the all agree that the main reason for the outlandish bright colors is so that they can be seen while traveling the roads.  All of these routes follow highways so you can imagine the congestion

The newly installed Windlass

when 1,600 bikers head out down these roads. 

In conversations with members of the group, for the most part, the cyclists try to not to impede traffic but there are always a few inconsiderate riders who cause some of the locals to be upset.  We overheard several comments regarding the riders as we enjoyed our breakfast.

After the riders took off, I undertook to install the new windlass on Little Star.  It wasn’t a difficult job but the majority of it needed to be done inside of the chain locker located at the very front of the boat.  I could just barely get my upper body through the little door so that I could attach the wiring and secure the bolts.  It was a wonderful feeling to hit the switch and see the

The really neat art gallery

anchor chain roar into the locker.

Later in the day, Janine and I went back to The Bean for a scoop of peaches and cream ice cream.  The Bean has a nice front porch that overlooks the harbor so it was fun watching the throngs of riders pass as they returned from their trips.  From there we went next door to Creative Gallery which turned out to be a very interesting art gallery filled with many wonderful paintings and junk sculptures created by local artists. 

Late in the afternoon, we were invited to join the Blennerhassett group for snacks and adult beverages.  Once there, we all called in orders for dinner

One of the many junk sculptures

at the Silo Restaurant.  We had heard that there was to be a band in the field out behind the Silo so we all hiked the mile or so carrying our chairs in preparation for the concert. I had spaghetti and meatballs and Janine had lasagna.  The Silo was so pressed with the throng of bike people that they ran out of forks.  However, the band, Saltwater Gold was truly outstanding.  They played rock songs from earlier eras to which people kicked off their shoes and danced

A great time was had by all

with great exuberance.  It was a really fun evening.  However, at about 8:30, reality raised its ugly head that we had a mile plus walk back before bedtime so with Ann and Steve of the cycle group we headed back to the boat.

Broad Creek Anchorge to Oriental Marina

Day 12 Thursday, April 27, 2017

You can monitor my trip at the link: Little Star's Progress Live

We awoke this morning to a beautiful sunrise and glassy waters.  The reflection of the trees across the bay was an inspiring sight.  We prepared sausage, eggs, and toast for our last anchorage before Oriental.

From the forecast, we assumed that we would be able to sail the last few

Early morning in Broad Creek

miles of our journey; however, there was little wind.  As usual, we met a number of boats heading north.  It’s the time of year when the “snowbirds” are heading back north.  As we were moving along, Jim commented that the steering was feeling a bit stiff.  He checked the speed and it had dropped down to 4.5 knots.  We stopped, put the boat in reverse and out popped a crab pot float.  These things are the scourge of

Nice home in Broad Creek

the Waterway.  Luckily we had not rapped the line in the prop.  That sometimes requires a trip under water with the mask and snorkel. 

We pulled into Oriental at around 10:00.  As usual, Jim backed Little Star into a finger dock in the back corner of the marina.  He is a master at backing this boat.  I have a lot to learn in this department.  These boats have a phenomenon known as “prop walk in which the stern of the boat moves towards the port when the boat is in reverse making them very difficult to put into tight places.  Jim is really good at it, however.

Once we had the boat secure, we set out on a walk looking for the biking group that Jim will be riding with.  I was amazed by the number of small tents that people packed together in parks, lawns and fields. Jim’s group,

Beautiful fisherman leaving Oriental

Blennerhassett Cycle Club, is an interesting group of folks that include riders of all skill levels who enjoy riding and social fellowship.  It is my understanding that the club was established sometime back in the late 1800’s and continues to this date, with weekly rides and monthly meetings.  According to Jim, most rides end with some sort of social gathering. 

While Jim joined his biking friends for a short ride around town, Janine and

I went to the “The Bean” Ice Cream Shop for a Norma Backwards which is a

The Bean

slushy with ice cream, coffee and ice.  After that, we walked about a mile or so to the West Marine to check on the windless that was to be delivered to their store.  It turned out to be there so I paid for it and then tried to figure out how I would get it back to the boat.  My first option, Uber, was not an option nor was a cab; so I decided to start walking with it.  It weighs 30 pounds and the long walk would probably present a problem.  The store manager said that if I we could wait for a half hour, he

Blennerhassett Cycle Club Enclave

would be heading that way as he traveled home.  I, of course, jumped on that offer. 

Duane (standing) and Jay

Later in the evening, all of the members present at this gathering crowded into the cockpit to be treated to Jim’s favorite cocktail, the Dark and Stormy; a rum drink made with Goslings Black Seal Bermuda Black Rum that is floated atop of ginger beer on ice with a wedge of lime.  The group included Steve, Ann, Kathy, Jay, Candace, Carol, Duane, Vickie, Mack, Janine, Jim and me.  We all laughed at jokes, told truths and lies for probably 2 hours before we headed for dinner at the Toucan Grill and Fresh Bar which is a part of the Oriental Marina.  This highly compatible group was most enjoyable and

l-r Ann, Kathy, Carol, Vicki, and Mack - Jim's arm

accepting of us not bikers.  I had been eating frequent large meals (as I was reminded by my Kentucky cousin) so I limited my dinner to a burger and chips.  It was a great time.

I received significant kidding when I informed the group it

l-r Steve, Janine and Candice

was 3 minutes past 9:00 and into my sleep time.