So much Chesapeake, so little time

Hello cruising partners,

This weekend we're in Chesapeake City MD on the western end of the C&D canal. Tomorrow we plan to go eastward and travel down the Delaware Bay to Cape May NJ, leaving behind the Chesapeake. Since Reedville, we have stayed in 4 anchorages (a record for us!): at Solomons MD, St Michaels (from the south side), Dun Creek (north of Tilghmans Island), and Turner Creek off the Sassafras River. We had wonderful nights, full moon except for Thursday when we had thunder and lightning, and calm waters. Also, good access to the shore for Dinah. She has learned that even a little spit of sand will do, and she often does it quickly. All business!

Today I'm having trouble loading picts, so look for more later. When we were at Solomons, we anchored about 5 miles upstream and took the dinghy into town.

The next day the calm waters of the Chesapeake continued and we crossed to Choptank River and went to St Michaels via the southern entrance in San Domingo Creek. We had been in St Michaels by car about 30 years ago, and were impressed by the Maritime Museum then. But in those years it has grown and developed dramatically!

The highlight is still the Hooper Straight 'screw' lighthouse, a distinctive Chesapeake style.now on site at St Michaels. Also, there are workshops that restore many types of Chesapeake boats
as well as buildings that describe the bay's transition from working water to mostly recreational water. The crabbing industry has a whole building, and each of the displays makes note of the contributions and lives of both the white and black folks.

The waterfront there has a real variety of boats... old and new, recreational and working, plus a tour boat. The houses -- all quite small -- are beautifully kept with great landscaping and close together. Much different architecture from further south. Of course, we ate seafood there, at the Crab Claw on the waterfront.

After more travel, we arrived at Chesapeake City, which has a small harbor, anchorage space, a small free dock, and very busy docks for a very busy outdoor restaurant. Shingebiss was there so we rafted up at the dock, but later got a place of our own.

Chesapeake City is on both sides of the canal, connected by a 1940s VERY HIGH bridge, but the south side seems to be the active one. It too is 'dressed up' with historic homes and explanatory signs. Ches City began as a result of the digging of the C&D canal in the early 1800s, and continued because there was one of 4 former locks here. Now it is re-inventing itself as a weekend tourist destination.

Very large oceangoing ships pass through here, as well as lots of pleasure boats of all sizes, many of which we're seeing because it's Memorial Day weekend. This house -- right on the canal -- and as tiny as it looks, is a B&B.

These aren't the best example of the many small houses in the tiny town...







But the best part is the ice cream shop less than 500' from where we are tied up, and again, overlooking the canal. We're given it 2 tries, and it's passed both times with flying colors.

The next few weeks have some challenging water: the Delaware Bay, and then the one open run in the Atlantic: 25 miles from Manasquam Pass to Sandy Hook and New York Harbor. Once we pass through NYC, we just have tides to contend with and then we reach the Erie Canal. Ahhh.

We love getting your emails and comments, and knowing that you're traveling with us.

Be safe, know God is with you, and keep in touch.

nan and jack