Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Annapolis the Sailing Capitol of the World

Freighters Anchored Out in Bay

Coming into Annapolis 



Friday July 12, we traveled to Annapolis, the sailing capital of the world. On the way in we passed Thomas Point Lighthouse. It is the only screw-pile lighthouse in the bay that stands at its original site. Today it serves as a shoal marker. There were a few huge commercial freighters that were anchored in the bay, perhaps waiting entry into port in Baltimore.


Thomas Point Lighthouse 

Strange to see an Anchored Freighter

We arrived in Annapolis to a small private marina with 12 slips very appropriately called "Stella's Stern & Keel". What a delightful spot tucked away in a quiet corner behind a few private homes. There was power, water and one shower, which was primarily used by us since most of the boats their were seasonal stays and no one was on them. There was one young couple (in their thirties) that had arrived earlier that day on a sail boat. They had both taken 6 months off from work and traveled to the Abacos Islands in the Bahamas, with their cat "Leo". What a delightful couple!  Now they were returning back to reality to their home in DC.



Stella's Stern & Keel

Nice Place to Relax

Captain Ron "Chillin"

Back Yard at Stella's

The Official Greeter

The Friendly People of Annapolis

Quiet Restful Marina

Saturday morning Ron and I dropped by the most interesting place for breakfast! "Chick & Ruths Delly" is one of those neighborhood eateries where the locals gather and guests are always welcome. The owners Ted & Beth are there every day and every morning they ask all the patrons to stand up and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. It was an awesome moving experience!!!  Besides that the food was incredible and the service was over the top. Ted greets everyone at the door... and I mean everyone - kids, teenagers, parents, grandparents. You feel right at home as soon as you meet Ted.

After breakfast we took a tour of the city and the surrounding areas. Georgian architecture is the predominant style of homes in Annapolis, admired for its symmetrical design, classic proportions and decorative elements. But you do see quite a few Victorian and Gothic styles as well. After the tour Ron went to visit the United States Naval Academy and I went to a few art galleries.  




Sub Memorial at USNA


Ron got onto the grounds of the Naval Academy and was in awe of the history there. Begun in 1845 on about 10 acres with 50 midshipmen, it is now a 338 acre complex that trains over 4400 midshipmen each year. So may great men have trained in and walked this 'yard' as it is called.
Beneath the chapel where many special weddings take place, lies the crypt of the Navy's father, John Paul Jones. The Museum in Preble Hall is laid out as a walk through the history of the US Navy. Wonderful Stuff Captain Ron says! Ron of course visited the Submarine memorial in front of Bancroft Hall. Good night shipmates!!! 

Monday morning we left for Rock Hall and arrived at Rock Hall Landing Marina at 10:00 am. We plan to stay here till the weekend. One of my sisters (Chris) is coming to join us for a few days on Thursday. We are looking forward to fun times!


Oldest Continuously Used State Capital

Firehouse & Church Converted to Condos - $1.5M rent

Old Firehouse Now High Priced Condo

WWII Memorial with Annapolis in Backgroud

Sailing Capitol of the World



Thursday, July 10, 2014

Oxford & St. Michael's, Maryland

Ron wearing his favorite shoes
Ron's favorite shoes



No it's not Bonnie & Clyde

Figurehead from Freedom Schooner


Monday July 7th we left Dun Cove Anchorage and headed for Oxford. We arrived at Hinkley Yacht Services late morning, located on Town Creek off of the Tred Avon River. Oxford is one of the oldest towns in Maryland dating back to 1683 and served as one of the two ports of entry for the entire Maryland province. Oxford is a town of many small quaint homes, with lots of flowers and white picket fences. In it's earlier years it enjoyed the prominence of an international shipping port surrounded by tobacco plantations. Years later canning & shipping of oysters became the predominant business. Today it is still a waterman's town enjoying the resurgence of tourism.

Yesterday we took the marina loaner bikes, road on the ferry from Oxford to Bellevue, and then rode the bikes into St. Michael's. (16 mile round trip) St. Michael's is a charming seaside resort town reflecting its colonial past with many homes from the 1700 to late 1800's. You can find one or two Bed & Breakfast's on each block.

A bit of interesting history - During the War of 1812, St. Michaels gained its name as "the town that fooled the British". The residents of St. Michaels, having been forewarned that British barges were positioned on the waters to attack with cannon fire, hoisted lanterns into the trees above the city. This first successful "blackout" fooled the British into overshooting the town's houses and shipyards. Only one house, forever since known as Cannonball House, was struck. 

You can't be in Maryland and not eat crab - blue crab, crab cakes, crab dip, soft shell crab...
The Crab Claw Restaurant in St. Michael's has the best crab sandwiches!   

Before leaving Oxford we visited the Cutts & Case Shipyard, designers and builders of some of the most spectacular modern wooden yachts.

Robert Morris Inn 1710



History & Charm









           Inside the Morris Inn


Craftsmanship at it's finest! 
How about a classic sailing canoe Keith?

Blackthorn Pub  
Ron with a full sack of fresh corn
















Ahhh... crab cakes & a cold beer











Monday, July 7, 2014

Dun Cove Anchorage

Saturday morning after our wonderful Pot Luck dinner with everybody on the 4th we departed Solomon's Island. The water hadn't completely calmed down from the passing hurricane "Arthur", so the bay was a bit rough at the start of the trip, till early afternoon when things subsided. We decided after a full week at a marina to take advantage of the cooler weather and anchor out for a couple of days.
So we dropped the hook at Dun Cove on Harris Creek off of Choptank River. We discovered that it is a popular anchor spot, at least 25 boats were there when we arrived. But we managed to find a quiet corner and relax for the evening.
Sunday we woke up to find that most of the boats had left and by noon we were the only ones there. We dropped our kayaks in the water and went exploring. The water was pretty, but with the wind the small waves made for a challenging ride. That evening, alone in the cove we cooked our first country boil on the boat. (unfortunately we did not have crab on board but we had the shrimp, kielbasa, corn and potatoes)
We caught up on a lot of reading and took in the beauty of the area.


Country Boil

A View of Companion from the kayak

Man and Nature

            
      Sunset 1






Sunset 2





                       
Sunset 3





















A Smooth Landing


Ah, you're home safe!







Ron setting up new phone booster 

I love this!

Get that camera away


A beautiful wooden Gaff sail



       










Sunset 4




Parting Shots from Solomon's Island, MD


They Allow Everyone to Drive in Maryland :-)




We Caught Our First Crab

Had Dinner Again with Rob & Barb

Barb & Kathrin
This is a Fun Trip!

At Zahniser's Marina, Solomon's Island
Adi on "Inch-n-Along"
Chef Mike Cooked up Some Yummy Pork
Lois & Adi


Adi Hamming it Up

                                 
                                        Fourth of July Pot Luck Dinner



It was great meeting up with everybody in Solomon's Island. Hope we see you again along our travels!