Last week in Newport, Now in Baltimore

Our last week in Newport was a whirlwind of sight seeing with Frances' parents and getting ready to travel south. Fran's parents are experienced travelers so we were ready with plans and information. We did touring around Newport and saw the Breaker's mansion, Trinity church, the Seaman's institute, Fort Adams, Doris Duke's museum and the wharfs on the waterfront. We checked out the surrounding towns of Bristol, Jamestown, New Bedford, Fall River and Tiverton. We went to the Heresoff museum the Whaling museum and on a Lighthouse cruise. And of course, we stuffed ourselves with good food everywhere. It was so fun to show them the places we have been enjoying the past three months. Hopefully we will all be back next year to do it again.

Beavertail Point is one place we visited. It looks out over the Atlantic. This scene is typical of New England around Newport. The rocky coast with men fishing in the surf, a lobster boat in the middle ground and an international sailboat race going on in the background. A helicopter is flying above the race taking photos.

A fashion tip for men in Newport. For years Frances made fun of these red pants Al has. However, you see them them every day in Newport, pants and shorts. They are Breton Reds, mostly worn by sailors. They fade from red to pink but that does not stop any guy from wearing them.

Frances has had a promotion lately. But she thinks it is one of those jobs with a fancy title and no change in duties!

Carrying with us lot of good memories we left Newport Wednesday, September 21st. One of the best things about our summer was meeting Mike and Terry on This Side Up. They are going to catch up with us soon! Also Al will miss getting to see his family.

We sailed straight to the Delaware Bay in just over 48 hours. Two days later we sailed to Baltimore.

Always looking for history, we sailed past this marker of the spot where Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner in the Baltimore Harbor.

So we have started the next phase of our trip. We are getting ready to travel south to the Caribbean. In November we will head straight south from Virgina to the BVI's with a group of sailboats. It is a transition to spend the winter season in the tropics.

We still feel very fortunate to be on this trip. The experiences we are having make it completely worth the effort. We are so appreciative of our family and friends that are cheering us on. The trip is turning out to be a very enriching experience.

Frances and Al