On the move

Today we left Rock Hall FREE docks and traveled to Hudson Creek where we will spend the night at anchor. Another cold front moved through last night and the temps will be in the mid to upper 70's for the next few days. (gorgeous) Tomorrow we travel to Tangier Island, VA, where we will spend the next two days. It is a little sad to say goodbye to Maryland, but we still have a lot more to explore as we make our way South. Tangier Island is unique in the fact that the only transportation allowed is bikes and golf carts. Should be fun.

See you in Tangier
September Song (on the hook) out

FREE is good

Waterman's Crab House

When they come up on your stern you give them a wide berth

No, it's not floating, it's a tilting light house

Sassafras River - Georgetown

We anchored out Thursday afternoon and very quickly found out the spot we were in was very Rolly because of all the boats coming in and out of Georgetown. Friday AM we moved to another spot just inside a no wake zone, little did we know the new anchorage was party central on the weekends. We had about 50 boats (singles and rafted, up to five tied together) around us by Friday evening, and it was that way for two days. It really wasn't too bad, with a lot of the boats being families with children. The loud party was at the other end of the anchorage. The dogs had a great time swimming around the boat with Mom and Dad with their life jackets on, playing at the beach and taking some great rides on Half Note exploring. Steve and Polly, some boating friends, came over Saturday on their boat, Clay Lady. Saturday evening they took us on a cocktail cruise, including hors d'oeuvres, around Georgetown harbour and then to dinner at the Granary Restaurant. On the cruise they showed us the boat grave yard. The Old Salt in the picture was a hoot. This all took place, as you can see from the picture, in their 12 ft tender. It was a blast, and dinner was great. I don't know how we made it back in the pitch dark with no moon (yes we had running lights) but no spot light. When we came up on the anchorage it looked like a city with all the anchor lights on. We left our side deck lights on so we could tell which boat was ours. The picture of the harbor and Steph and me is where we had lunch one day in a restaurant overlooking Georgetown Harbor. What a beautiful view and great weather. All in all it was a good three days. The reason I'm blogging all of this today is because we were in a remote area and could not get connected. Today, Monday, we traveled for about four hours and came back to Rock Hall (the FREE docks). The owner invited us back when we were here a few weeks ago and we needed some provisions. Besides, the drug store in town makes the best root beer floats we have had in a long time.

September Song (floating) out
BobGeorge Town Harbor

Here's looking at you kid

Her's looking back

The anchorage was full for the week end

Another dog gone good beach

Clay Lady joined us SaturdayI never did find out why they call it that, but I can guess
Steve sleeping in the water

She looks to be about 5 and was jumping off the top of their boat

Sunset cocktail party cruise

Make up your mind Steve

It's not your last meal Steve, just pick one Yum! Just pick one Steve

Concrete boat in the grave yard (yes they do make concrete (ferro-cement)boats)

Boat grave yard

Old Salt Dock master of the grave yard

Old Salt in his row boat

C&D and Sassafras

Sorry, the first set didn't post


Pica has taken up his position (notice the sweat shirt AM in the 50's)

View of our anchorage on the Sassafras river

Another view

Row row row your boat

Bear DE and Sassafras River

Wednesday we traveled from Chesapeake City MD up the C&D Canal (the busiest canal in the world) to Bear DE our farthest point north before turning the bow south. Still tons to explore on the way back to Georgia, 500 miles south from here. The marina at Bear DE was huge, about 500 slips, up a beautiful creek between the hills. Reminded me of a hollow in NC with steep hills on three sides covered with trees. It was one of the largest, but the quietest marinas we have been in. They have a traffic light at the exit to the C&D to let you know if ships are approaching. Nothing around to explore so it was a good day (cool) to finely take some time and wash the boat. She is happy when she is clean. Today we traveled back down the C&D Canal to the Sassafras River to our anchorage where we will spend the next two days. As you can see from the pictures it is another great anchorage with a dog gone good beach and lots to explore. See you tomorrow on the Sassafras (fresh water) River.

September song out
Bob

Sad goodbyes

Tuesday we explored the town, had lunch in a little local cafe, and had our last dinner with Steve and Diane at the Yacht club. They are going on to Cape May and then on to New York where they will leave their boat and take a two week cruise to Italy. We have had so much fun with them and will have great memories and stories of our cruising together. Steve and Diane are good friends and great cruising buddies and we will miss them. When they come south they will stop by our dock in Georgia for a few days and we will hook up with them again when we go to Florida.
Today we will travel north to Summit North Marina DE, spend the night, and then start working our way south. The temp this morning was in the 50's and the butter was hard, so I guess it is time to point the bow south. Butter is our weather gauge. When it gets too soft we head north, and when it gets hard, we head south.

September Song (sad goodbyes and happy memories) out

Streets of Chesapeake City

Try the stairs next time

Farewell dinner

Bath time at the dock

I smell much better

Crabs, crabs, crabs

Monday night we went to the Tap Room for a battle with the crabs. The crabs were huge and the best we have had yet. The score ended up 4 to one. WE WON!


Not much to look at but great seafood

Let the battle begin

So good

Last look at Baltimore

We walked up Federal Hill and took our last look at Baltimore. The lights were beautiful and the moon was full. Baltimore was a great city to explore, made extra special with the girls visit.

September Song (with more places to explore) out
Bob


The lights of Baltimore

Full moon over the city

Havre De Grace MD

We arrived in Havre De Grace mid afternoon and met up with Steve and Diane again. A folk festival was in progress (no, not another farmers market) so we made our way through the booths of all the local craftsman and then walked over to the Duck Decoy Museum. Havre De Grace is the decoy carving capitol of the world. The Susquehanna River is the major source of fresh water for the Chesapeake Bay and a major stop for ducks, geese, and swans as they migrate. The swans travel 7,000 miles one way. I don't know when they have time to eat and nest but I guess it all works. The docks here are not the best, lots of weeds, shallow water and you needed a ladder to get on and off the boat so we left the next morning for Chesapeake City.

September Song out
Bob

No, not another Farmers Market

Escaped from Georgia

Marsie asked if we would post a picture of us. I guess we have been gone so long she forgot what we looked like

View of the sunrise from our aft deck before we left for Chesapeake City