The wife and I, for two. I had a room reservation for over a month already. She is actually looking forward to it because she hasn't seen most of these (neither have I). I'll have all my photo gear ready to go. We will be coming down Friday night and staying in Baltimore, and starting from there. After seeing all the lights south and west of the Chesapeake Bay, we will stay in Easton and finish the run north on Sunday.

This will be a beagle-less challenge for us. Summer and Murphy (our beagles) are not allowed in certain lighthouses, Cove Point for one. That would mean, one of us would have to stay behind to watch them while the other takes the shuttle down, then switch. Too long, too much hassle. They will be doing the NJ LH Challenge though, their third year in a row.

So who else is going?

Unfortunately, we can't do it this year.

Our beagle (Shiloh) would go nuts if we brought her along.

Esther and I will be doing the MD Challenge.

We'll be staying outside of Elkton on Friday night and in Solomon's on Saturday night.

We are a dogless and catless family- and our kids don't live with us either.

We seldom see our son, Doug, who lives about 2 miles away- we never saw him much when he lived in our house either. :-)

We hanen't seen our daughter, Beth, since June in Hawaii. she's in Korea untol sometime in October, at least. (unless she signs up for another year)

Dennis

I will be there with my wife Susan. Kids will not be with us (a real vacation). Staying near Annapolis at a replica of a screwpile lighthouse.

Eric,

If near Annapolis, besides nearly the best crab cakes in the known world at Philips (down by the public marina) ... you MUST find time for breakfast at Chick and Ruth's deli ... lunch is fine, too, but breakfast is a winner ...

Not fine dining .. just good food ... great atmosphere ... IMHO.

Barry

Barry is Chick and Ruths Deli across the street from the Capital Building with the reserve booth for the Governor...or I am confused (we were there about 15 years ago).

Not doing the challenge, but have booked passage on "The Great Circle Route" (10 + lighthouses) on Monday, 9/19 aboard the M/V Sharps Island. Leaves Tilghman Island at 9 AM; returns around 5:30 PM. Hoping for clear, calm weather. Strapping on those seabands no matter what the weather is.

Eric,

While not across from the Capitol Building it is just down the street about halfway to the water.

But yes, it does have the reserve seat for the governor ...

Sandy,

Can you send more info about "The Great Circle Route" you are planning on taking? Sound as intriguing as the Challenge ... Thanks in advance.

Chesapeake Lights "Extraordinary Lighthouse Tours." Email mikerichards@verizon.net or info@chesapeakelights.com or phone 800-690-5080 or 410-886-2215. Departs dock at Tilghman Island at 9AM and travels northward on the Bay. Sharps Island, Bloody Point, Sandy Point, Thomas Light, Baltimore, Poole's Island, and 4 Craighill Channel Range Lights comprise The Great Circle Route. Stops at Tolchester Marina for an hour lunch break. Returns to Tilghman Island around 5:30PM. Per phone call with Captain Richard in July, he tries to have this particular cruise the day before and the day after the annual challenge.

Two other cruises:

"The Passage" shoves off from Tilghman Island at 12:30 and returns around 4:30. Five lighthouses are on that agenda.

"The Sunset Cruise "slips the moorings two hours before sunset and returns as the sun is setting." Two lighthouses and complimentary champagne.

Dennis Whelan asked for add'l. info yesterday and might be able to give an update based on his contact if he was successful with the info I gave him.

Richards and his wife have a B&B close by in case overnight accommodations are needed. Stan and I will be RVing in that area for 7 to 10 days and taking the cruise on Monday, 9/19.

Sandy,

Thanks a whole lot. Much appreciated.

Barry

My pleasure.

On another note--anybody taking the NJLHS New York Harbor Lighthouse Boat Cruise tomorrow?

Hoping to see Great Beds, West Bank, Fort Wadsworth and Statue of Liberty, Coney Island, Old Orchard, Romer Shoals, Robbins Reef, Sandy Hook, and a "mystery light".

Call Renard Petronzio, Program Assistant, 856-346-9030 to find out if seating is available. Leaves Liberty State Park dock in Jersey City at 9:30AM, returns about 4-1/2 hours later. Bring your lunch, beverages for sale on ship.

Sandy,

Esther and I will be there. I believe several others from here will be along as well.

I'm not sure I'll be able to add the Circle tour to my MD Challenge Trip. I have to discuss different scenarios with Esther still.

Dennis

Just a thought. Anyone interested in meeting Saturday night (Sept 17th) sometime after 6:00 PM.

Eric,

It would of course depend on where we all are. I plan on being in solomons at that time.

Dennis

Also time. Susan and I fly up Friday afternoon. I will have my WACKO badges on, so if you see say HI.

Eric,

Have a good time. I hope the weather cooperates but it's looking like there may be a threepeat of rain for part of the Challenge- and it would be a threepeat coming from a hurricane as well.

I think they need to look into changing their dates.

Sorry we won't be making it. We've cleared the decks of trips for the near future- rather cancel in time to not lose any money.

Dennis

Hey, I ordered good weather for the whole trip, but only time will tell.

I recently went out on the Great Circle route. It was really a good ride. Bring a Wind breaker(I got wet on front of boat). We left at 9:00 and got back at 6:30 It was a long day but he did not cancel the last light because it was late. I was happy to see all that was promissed. Some boats cancel a light when it is late, which I understand. He also charged an extra $4.00 for gas which I had no problem with. He also had water for anyone who needed. You can bring food or drink and put it in his cooler. By the way we all got soaked up front. Oh well the sun was out and we dried off. Lost my hat overboard. It was a little ruff out there. Again I had a great time.
Fran

According to Accuweather.com:
Fri. Variable cloudiness; humid with a shower here and there. High: 84° F
Sat. Chance of a morning shower; otherwise, times of clouds and sun. High: 79° F
Sun. Partly sunny. High: 77° F

It looks like it will be a nice weekend for the MD LH Challenge.

I'm glad Ophelia decided to cooperate and leave the area before the weekend.

I hope everybody enjoys their time in MD and both the Lighshouse challenge and the Great circle Trip if you're going on that.

It looks like the MD Challenge will finally get two good weather days for their challenge- sorry I'll be missing it. It now looks like I could have done it but that's OK- I'll survive.

The doctors have not been at all cooperative or forthcoming with information on my mother's operation. I'll just ahve to play it close to the vest for a bit longer than I thought. All trips are off for the forseeable future.


Dennis