Was he going?

Or was he coming?

We hiked into Rock Hall to do a little exploring. Got another favorite of mine while there. A real root beer float. Syrup, soda water, and ice cream at an old time soda fountain.

Cool old place. You don't see many of these anymore.

Why am I smiling?

Oh, that's why I'm smiling. A birthday eve celebration at the bar at Waterman's Crab house. We met these cruisers on a week long vacation cruise. Two of the seven ladies wishing me a happy birthday. 

Oh, two more! The day before your birthday can be good too.

Now that's a pile of crab! 

Happy Birthday to me!

My Birthday was great! Tons of well wishers in e-mails and on Facebook. Me, Stephanie (the love of my life) and our cruising buddies Stephen and Pam on Tides In went to Waterman's Crabhouse in Rock Hall where we were docked. I had the all you can eat Chesapeake blue crabs. (Oh, and a few Captain and Cokes) The last time we were here, we were with Doug and Tammy on Gypsies in the Palace. I cracked, peeled, and picked for about two hours. It was great! I don't think I ate as many as I did with Doug, but I did do some damage. We finished with one of my favorites, red velvet cake back on September Song. What a special day!

The only thing left is messy fingers and an empty tray.

Me, Stephanie, Stephen, and Pam, at Waterman's Crabhouse

September Song and Tides In, docked at the free dock at Waterman's. We like free!

Always room for jello!

September Song and Tides In left Washburn's Boat Yard docks Monday morning and headed to our first anchorage on Hudson Creek. After setting the anchors, we put the family cars in the water and went to the beach. After playtime at the beach with Cassie and Godiva, Stephen and Pam came over and we spent the afternoon catching crabs off the swim platform of September Song. It only takes a little string, a chicken leg, a dip net, a bucket, and a Captain and Coke. Leave out one of the five things, especially the last, and you won't catch any crab. Tuesday, after a trip to the beach, Stephen and Pam came over for Stephanie's fabulous crab cakes, and Pam's delicious potato salad. How do you finish off a fun evening of pigging out on our catch? Pam's famous jello shots on the fly bridge on a gorgeous evening.
Today we left Hudson Creek and put the pointy end North, through Kent Narrows (narrow doesn't even begin to describe it) to the Corsica River where we are anchored for the next two days. Tomorrow we are going to head up the river in the family cars to Centerville, a neat little Chesapeake town, and do a little exploring.

September Song (The crab didn't have a chance) out
Bob


We found these young Mennonites in Solomons selling backed goods and produce from their farm. Wow, what great stuff! Cinnamon raisin bread, pecan pie, coconut bread, and the best vine ripened tomatoes we have had in a long time.

Tides In on the way to our anchorage after leaving Solomons Island.

Stephen, pulling in his first crab.

One more for the bucket.

After catching a couple dozen crabs, Stephanie cooked them, and then Stephen and I picked them. Crab cakes tomorrow night. YUM!

We were so busy eating Stephanie's fabulous crab cakes, and Pam's delicious potato salad, I forgot to take pictures. After pigging out, we headed to the fly bridge for Pam's famous jello shots and lots of laughs on another beautiful evening. What great fun!

Where to next?

Beautiful sunrise over our anchorage on Hudson Creek as we prepare to leave.

We see lots of fish traps on the Chesapeake. They're hard to see, but the cormorants love to hang out and just jump in and pick one of the trapped fish out for an easy meal.

Dad, it's time to go to the beach!

Happy girl

What a great catcher.

Throw it Mom!

Cassie doing what she loves to do. Hunt fish.

Our view from the anchorage on the Corsica River.

Saint Mary's College

It's been a while since my last blog. We spent a couple of days exploring the Saint Mary's River and the Saint Mary's College before heading to Solomons Island and Washburn's Boat Yard, where September Song went on the hard to have her bottom painted, the hull waxed, stabilizers serviced, and fix a rudder problem. The Saint Mary's College and the Saint Mary's River is one of the many beautiful areas to explore on the Chesapeake. We will stop here again in the fall on our way South.

September Song (headed for the Solomons) out
Bob


Saint Mary's College has a summer program for kids. A little wind would help.

Happy Girl! Always a good day when we find a beach for the girls to play on.

Kids in their sailboats zipping around September Song.

St. Mary's College has an outstanding sailing program.

Cool statue at Saint Mary's College. "Freedom of Conscience".

This is what happens when you are bad, and I have been so bad!

Historic site at Saint Mary's.

Part of the reproduction city of St. Mary's.

The view of the Saint Mary's River from the College.

The first state house in Maryland. St. Mary's was the seat of government in the 1600's.