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Tuesday, October 3

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When I told Marlin and Nancy (my sister) about Schaefer’s Restaurant, Marlin said he would enjoy that for one of our day trip excursions, so we made it happen with Roy and Deb – before it gets cold. It was our 2023 birthday treat for Deb and an excursion day for Marlin and Nancy.

We were hoping to see boats and other vessels – for Marlin and Nancy’s enjoyment -and had just been taken to our table when a barge went by – being pulled by a tug.

Soon another one came by – also being pulled.

Next was a catamaran.

It didn’t take long before we saw various kinds of boats and ships. We no longer had to be concerned that there wouldn’t be enough vessels for Marlin and Nancy’s enjoyment.

It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day next to the C & D Canal.

From the Internet: The Chesapeake & Delaware Canal (C&D) is a 14-mile-long ship canal that connects the Delaware River with the Chesapeake Bay in the states of Delaware and Maryland. The canal is 450 feet wide and 35 feet deep. It was established in 1829 and is owned and operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District. The canal saves approximately 300 miles on the route between Wilmington or Philadelphia on the Delaware River and Baltimore on the Chesapeake Bay, avoiding a course around the Delmarva Peninsula.

Roy and Deb, Marlin and Nancy and Cerwin.

Cerwin got a cheese steak and Deb got crab, vegetables and rice. I didn’t take pictures of the other meals.

Another barge. This one was being pushed as a smaller boat went the opposite direction.

Watching a barge being pulled.

During dessert Marlin and Nancy assured us that they thoroughly enjoyed their time next to the canal.

Key lime and a Smith Island cake were two other choices for dessert. Roy had the same dessert as Marlin and Nancy – Brownie, hot fudge and ice cream.

By the time we were ready to leave, the sun was below the bridge.

We stayed long enough to watch another barge and tug.

A closeup of the tug with the evening sun creating water highlights.

We went downstairs to see where the boats and ships dock when they come here for a meal. I didn’t think to take a picture, but there was a beautiful yacht parked at the far end of the restaurant. We enjoyed watching the family onboard who had a tiny baby with them. It appeared to be a yacht that could be rented by the week and came with its own crew members. The cost per week was more than $100,000.00.

I took this pretty sunset photo as we drove home – about 7 pm.

Oh, what a delightful day. Nancy stopped at our house the next day and said she was still living in the “glow” of the day before.