January 8, 2012

Due to the weather and fouled waters following Hurricane Irene and the delays it caused we decided to begin our trip back south to Charleston SC. As a side note the tropical storm "Lee" caused more damage than the hurricane.  The heavy rains from "Lee" flooded the rivers and tributaries flowing into the Chesapeake bringing everything from trees to washing machines.  The debris caused a lot of damage to props so we stayed off the bay until the debris was washed out.

In an attempt to get away from the hurricane as we headed north, we passed up several ports of interest. We were able to take our time heading south on the majestic  Chesapeake.   Once we were  on the  move we didn't find time to keep our blog up to date, so this will be an attempt to update.

Out first stop after leaving Annapolis was St. Michae'ls MD.  This was a great stop.  The marina was located in a cove off the main waters providing us with beautiful dockage.  As we arrived they were having Log Boat Races. We met a delightful couple from Baltimore who knew the waters of the Chesapeake well and were a great source of information as well as becoming good friends.

We were a five minute walk to four restaurants and five minutes from the main part of town.  We visited the local brewery.and went to Sunday services at a beautiful  Episcopal church. Our best meal was at "The Pickle". They had delicious tempura fried dill pickle spears.  The speciality of "The Crab Shack" was steamed crabs. We ate two dozen with a bottle of white wine.  An interesting interactiveWaterman's Museum was also within walking distance. The town did not allow franchise businesses. How delightful is that? Lots of quaint shops.

This is a picture leaving Annapolis.  This was a busy harbor with lots of sail boats  Off in the distance is the Naval Academy. 

A light house at the entrance to the river leading to St. Michael's.  At this point my chart said I should leave the light house to port, but my GPS showed I was passing it to starboard.  I ignored the GPS and followed the chart.  It's times like this that make one nervous.  There are several historical light houses like this one. You can take sight seeing boats out to see them. 

This is a picture at the end of the cove of St. Michael's.

Can you see how small this home is?  There were several just like this and all occupied.

 
While here there was a regrade going on and this was one of the committee boats.  Looked like they were having a lot of fun.
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This is one of the boats used in the regatta.  These boats are replicas of the original that were used in the 15 hundreds for fishing and oystering.  They later became popular for racing.

A replica of the boat used by (can't remember his name) to explore the Chesapeake Bay.

Cona standing on top of the light house on St. Michael's looking over the cove.

Racers keeping the boat from capsizing.  The boats have no keel and mostly sail.  They use side boards to reduce sliding against the wind.

Cona showing off her new bathing suit.

Picture of the Commodores of the sailing club.  Who's that without a hat?

That's a gun on the bow of this boat.  It was used to hunt duck.

Cona orstering.

 St. Michael's Episcopal Church.

One item of interest is that St. Michales survived the revolutionary war by fooling the British.  The British navy was coming up the bay and bombarding all of the towns.  The people of St. Michale's took lanterns up into trees to make it look like they were on a cliff. They extinguished all lights in the homes and stores near the water.  When the British began firing their cannon they were aiming above the actual town.  Only one Cannon ball to hit a home went through the roof and rolled down the stair case and out the front door.  This house still stands and is currently lived in.


Next stop, Tilgman Island.