07/01/2010, Annapolis, MD

June 14th, 2010 St Michael's to Annapolis, MD

It was cloudy in the morning but we had decided to make the run up to Annapolis so around 9 we weighed anchor and worked our way out of San Domingo Creek. There was a little north wind so we sailed down Broad Creek and out the Choptank, but when we turned north in the Bay it pooped out and we motored most of the day.

We made the 3:30 bridge opening and slowly motored up Spa Creek where we took a mooring for the night. Stan, who we met last Fall, stopped by to say that he was leaving tomorrow and that we should move up the Creek a little and take his anchorage. It is better holding and a little more protected.

June 15th and beyond

We've been here in Annapolis for a week now and have been remiss in not keeping up with our blog for those of you who keep track of us.

We were hopeful initially that we could get a slip for a day or so at Shearwater, and took a mooring all the way down Spa Creek in case that panned out. It didn't so we went on up stream a 100 yards or so and anchored. Stan (one of the harbormaster's) was anchored down there and came by to say that he was leaving and that we should take his spot.

Scott (Steve's son) met us Monday with some packages that we had had delivered to has place which is only about ½ mile up the road from us. He was heading out of town on a fishing trip and made arrangements to see us next week.

David and Peg of "Journey" were back at his parents slip for the summer and we had a nice chat with them.

Besides hauling water, our week has been spent on projects. First I hauled out our old outboard and manhandled it up on the rail to remove the old carburetor and intake manifold. Then I scraped the old gaskets off and cleaned things up before putting everything back together.

We had a new fuel hose made up in town and then dropped it down to the dinghy for a test run. It worked perfectly and we left it on the dinghy in case someone wanted to buy the thing. With it running well we put a listing out on Craig's List along with some chain rode and a 35# anchor that we've been carrying around for three years.

We've been on the phone quite a bit making arrangements for haul out, a driver to take us the Richmond Airport from Deltaville, dentist appointments, doctors appointments, etc.

Usually we make a trip into to town in the afternoon for a walk and been checking out all the happy hour specials for cheap food. One evening we met Bill and Christy from "Veranda" and Lynn and Peter form "First Edition" for a meal at Davis' Pub which is a local hang out in Eastport across Spa Creek from Annapolis.

One morning we hiked to the Safeway (grocery store) which is about 2.5 miles away and purchased what would fit in two back packs before making the trek back to the boat in 90+ temps.

I spent an hour or so one morning moving the fins from our old outboard to the new one and one whole morning scrubbing the yellow crud off our hull which shows up after a trip through the sounds to the Chesapeake.

We had a seam to repair on our dodger and so one morning was spent tearing things down, getting the sewing machine out and set up, sewing, and then putting everything back where it was in the first place.


Yesterday we went into town and hiked our dirty laundry up to the Laundromat that is about a block from the State House. There is a Irish Pub across the street that we had noticed in the past but never checked out so once the washers started, we walked over for a pint. It ended up being a great place. Kathy ran back over 20 minutes later to move cloths to the dryers and then returned. We stayed while clothes were drying and had another pint. When out time was up we thanked the girl at the bar and returned to fold clothes. On our way back the dinghy I was a little dizzy. It was either the heat or they could have put something in the beer.

Most evenings we take a dingy ride exploring some of the coves and creeks in the area...and just putt along checking out the houses and boats.

Our plans are to stick around for a few more days before heading out for a while.

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06/29/2010, St. Michael's, MD

June 13, 2010 St. Michael's, MD

Catching crabs made of us think of our friends, Jack and Debbie, who live in Maryland, so we gave them a call. They were quite excited to find we were nearby (1 1/2 hour drive) and we made plans for them to come visit us.

We picked them up at the dinghy dock this morning and brought them to the boat for a tour and a snack, which included Mike's conch salad and we all found it delicious. We then took a jaunt in to town walking around, having more food at restaurants and enjoying ourselves.

We had the best time. Jack and Debbie are the best kind of friends. It is always as if we had just seen them yesterday, when it may have been months, or even years. We had great conversations and much fun. It was great to see them.

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06/22/2010, St. Michael's, MD

June 9th, 2010 St. Michael's MD.

The forecast called for grey skies, gusty winds and spitting rain and it was right on. I took rain gear to town in the morning and hiked to the grocery for bait... chicken necks. Beef roasts and bags of spinach were both "buy one get one free" so I returned with more than chicken necks.

Back at the boat I got right on fishing and before I had my lines all out had two nice crabs. It didn't take too long and I had a dozen number 2's "for those of you who know" in the pot steaming.

I picked that batch and another before lunch and called it quits. I still have enough necks for tomorrow.

We cooked the beef all afternoon and with some vegetables the last hour, had a great meal.

June 10th, 2010 St. Michael's, MD

I had another dozen crabs in the steaming pot before our coffee was gone. Again, most were number '2's with three or four number '1's thrown in. In a half hour or so they were cool enough to pick which takes me a couple minutes per crab.

After getting the meat in the refrigerator I got myself cleaned up for a trip to town. We had never been to the Maritime Museum here so that was our entertainment for the afternoon. It is really quite a place. There are quite a few working exhibits. In one case three men were squaring up a yellow pine log for use on a skip jack that they were refurbishing. In another a volunteer was varnishing on of the skiffs built there and then sold to defray expenses. There was a lapstrike Melonseed for sale that had been recently finished that was beautiful.

We took a break for a late lunch at the Crab Claw next door and then resumed our tour of more of the Museum, spending most of the afternoon.

On our way back to the boat, we stopped for a few groceries. Once on board with provisions stowed it was such a nice afternoon that we decided to go exploring before dinner and had a slow tour of some nooks and crannies in San Domingo Creek.

Before we had left for our dinghy ride, I had made crab cakes and put them in the refrigerator to cool and firm up a little, so they were ready to fry up when re got back. They were excellent and I can't wait to have them again.

June 11th, 2010 St. Michael's MD

I hadn't planned on it, but decided at around 8 to steam another batch of crabs for the freezer. It took a little longer today due to my late start but before long I had a dozen nice ones in the pot steaming. While I was fishing, Kathy was re-stitching a seam on our bimini that had given way at Deep Creek. She had a good day with the sewing machine and was finished about the same time as the crabs.

After getting them picked, and put away it was time for cockpit cleaning. I took up the floor grates, scrubbed them and then swept up the junk that had filtered through before scrubbing the floor. Then I washed and waxed all the flat surfaces while Kathy worked on polishing stainless.

All in all we accomplished more than usual this morning. After a sandwich for lunch we dinghied ashore and followed the walking trail down to a street that took us to the middle of town. By the time we got there we were a little thirsty and stopped in at a dive-ish bar for a beer. The bartender was an entertainer, and we had a good time with him and the few patrons that were there in the middle of the afternoon.

We shopped a little on our way back to the boat... we were out of Old Bay and also were looking for good tomatoes for a conch salad.

We had a relatively early dinner of left over roast beef and vegetables and then decided to do some more exploring. This time we motored up Broad Creek to check things out. Most of the shoreline is wooded with a few marshy areas. The wooded areas are mostly built up...anything from mansions to cottages. There are a few fields around but they are undoubtedly on their way out. Most people have docks and boats, but we saw only two on the water in an 8 or 10 mile trip.

We did see an old yacht anchored that was amazing. My guess is that it was about circa 1920 and about 150 feet in length. All teak (or possibly mahogany) above decks and it was perfectly finished. There were folks on the fantail having drinks so we didn't get too close. The boats name was "Freedom" out of Newport so I'm going to try to do a little research.

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