#38th May 16th - 20th

May 16th


Just look at that sky! ABD!!! We departed Washington around 0900. We fueled up around the corner from the Yacht Club and were on our way to Mt. Vernon.

We were able to just follow the canal in to their wharf. Got lots of "Oooos and Aaaaas!" about Simpatico

Quite an expansive piece of property,
well-groomed cared for.

George and Martha Washington's tomb.  It was a somber site! 

Originally he owned just the center section, added the right wing, then the left. We spent 4 hours touring the Mansion, Blacksmith shop, Distillery, Gardens, Stables, Slave quarters, Kitchen, and the many outbuildings of the estate.

The day seemed long with the stop at Mt Vernon but we found a peaceful anchorage at Fairfield Beach just off the Potomac for the evening.  Settled in around 1830.

May 17th  
Today we were off and running at 0800 to reach the entrance of the Potomac to the Chesapeake Bay.  7 hours later anchored up a little creek just west of the Bay. BUT, this day we had ABD! with absolutely mirror-like mill-pond to travel. We were speaking with a DC bound sailboat from Canada around 1100. when we signed off we were called by the NAVY!  Seems we were about to traverse their 'live-fire' range. They instructed us where to navigate to avoid being "shot at".  Hmmm!

May 18th

Ah! only 33 miles to Solomons, Maryland. The run was a slight bit choppy today due to cross winds but as we proceeded our course became more favorable to the wind direction and Horatio could then settle down.  He does NOT like it when the boat rocks a little.  Zahnisers Marina was very accommodating, beautiful extra clean bath house and laundry, courtesy bikes and competent hands.
After cleaning the boat, doing laundry we got the bikes, toured the museum then headed to the "Tiki Bar"!!

Best Buds sharing!

Horatio is a pretty well traveled little pup! He makes everyone he meets, smile.


We were in search of Maryland Crab Cakes!  Kingfisher Restaurant on Solomons Main Road supposedly has the Best!

Hey, Don, finally!  And you are right! These were the best I've eaten.

There is my crew, Terry and Randy, returning their bikes.

May 19th 

Today is another relatively short day. We were docked in St Michaels by 1445 at Harbor Inn Marina. Cheapest I could find at $1.95 a foot (pretty good, actually) only on Friday night! Saturday night the rate jumped to $3.65!! So one night it is. But, we do get a lovely breakfast with made to order omelets.
We had intended to go to Herrington Harbor on the West shore of the Bay but the ABD and calm seas pushed us to carry on a few more miles. Gives us another day ahead of schedule and we can stay here two nights.  Will anchor out the second!!!

At first glance - - I called out "Look, our first Submarine"! Alas it was just a silt laden barge and tug. Come to find out, they are dredging Baltimore Harbor and bringing the dregs out to the East side of the Bay and building another Island. A big one!

 Captain John Smith the great explorer and cartographer traveled up the Chesapeake in 1608 and charted  all the bays and estuaries.

Mike Smith, an old friend from Metamora Days, who
lives in St. Michael's took us for a tour of the great
Maritime Museum.

Top of lighthouse overlooking this
sheltered harbor.

Later in the afternoon we sat on the top deck overlooking all the activity of this very vibrant harbor. There is a storm brewing and eventually we were chased inside while the Thunder, Lightning and rain pelted for about an hour.  Bernie, the hatch leak is NO More!!

Across the way behind our boat.

So, here we are at the end of the day and we need to go to anchor to avoid the exorbitant dockage rate. The harbormaster, says "Would you stay if I fixed the price?" "Well, maybe" I said, "but I refuse to pay $3.65 a foot with or without breakfast"  Smile! He says, "How about if it is the same?" Well, we get to stay and it does make things so much easier.  The dockmaster really was a nice guy and was very interested and impressed at my endeavor.


May 20th

The Harbor Inn Marina's Breakfast was all and more than we expected. Fruit(fresh). toast, bagels, Old Bay home fries, made-to-order omelets, pancakes, waffles, pastries, 3 juices, coffee, tea etc,etc,etc.
This is provision day so we get around, courtesy shuttle drops us off in town. we decide to do the town first then, groceries.  So, the driver drops us off, we turn around and look what we see, , ,

This lovely old house was the home of Simpatico, everything Italian. The shop is next door for the time being. Of course we went in, spoke with the owner and she explained the renovation project. The braces aren't really pushing it over but holding it in place. Where you would think the braces would be is property owned by someone else and won't allow.  Anyway, she is forging ahead with inside bracing and renovations to this aged historical building. It was once a saloon for the Oyster Watermen in need of grog after a hard day on the water.

a very dog friendly town

and . . . we found the latest version of the same thing!!