Ospreys

As I have mentioned before, everywhere we go there are osprey nests with one or two chicks in them. We have enjoyedwatching the parents scoop down and get a fish and either bring it to the nest forthe chicks or go off to another place and eat the fish themselves. Last night there was such a ruckus at the osprey nest near our boat. We could not figure out what was going on. We have been watchingthis nest all week as we are anchored in Jackson Creek and this time the sounds and agitation of the birds was much stronger. This morning we woke up and guess what? No nest! No chicks! They were getting big and we were wondering when they left the nest on their own. I think this was the way to force them out into the world. Just off you go and there is no home to come back to! I recall some humans resorting to a similar pattern when they could not get the young adults out of the house, they just sold the house and rented a small apartment with no room for the kids.

Deltaville

Came into Jackson Creek a week ago. The Deltaville Marina and Boat Yard is very accommodating, with lots of services. We are staying here for the week to visit with Darrell's brother and his family as well as get our davit cable repaired. This is a good opportunity to use our bikes and Darrell's brother left a car for us as well. Had a good weekend with all the nephews and their partners/kids. Had a very gentle sail on Saturday and a more invigorating one on Sunday, but on Sunday, dolphins came and played around our boat for a ways. Of course as soon as I got out the camera and tried to get a picture, they were off behind us. I like to reflect on the line from an Indigo Girls song, "don't take a picture, remember it in your head" and I think they have the right idea. Our plan this week is to explore the area, restock the boat, decide if we are going to do the InterCoastal Waterway( at this point it is 565 miles to savanah Georgia and not too much along the way but motoring down a canal, so we may decide to make that a car trip instead.) and visit Darrell's brother at their home near Richmond VA.

wild life

found out that the animal we had been wseeing that someone told us was a skate is really a sting ray or cowshead ray. also the osprey abound in these waters as well as the blue heron. We also saw some white egrets at St Leonards creek and often deer grazing on people;s lawns. As we got to the Patuxent River, pelicans have been out in the bay and also at the mouths of the rivers. Even as we were crossing the bay with good wind and spray coming over the bow of the boat, the pelicans just keep on sitting around on the water, diving for fish and gliding through the air. They say there are dolphins in this area but we have yet to see any.

Solomons island

THere is much history here especially around the war of 1812. St Leonards Creek is one place where the British were beat back by a flotilla of Americans in all their small boats, but alas, it did not last long as the British continuedup the Patuxent River and crossed land to burn Washington DC and the Americans destroyed the flotilla rather than let it get into British hands. One does get a different slant on history here in the south compared to the midwest or new england point of view!!! Solomons Island is a tourist place, marinas, restaurants, the Calvert museum etc. It is also an old place that had boat building and shipping of crabs, oysters and fish. We were here for the weekend so it was quite busy and now a bridge connects it to the mainland so easy for people to get to it. Attended the old little Episcople church and everyone was very friendly. also went to the calvert museum where there were good displays of the fossils from the digging right here at the Calvert Cliffs as well as other maritine exhibits. Now that wehave an agenda to be at Deltaville by Wed July 15 we cannot just go with the wind so it has been sail, motor sail and just old motor as we head south, stopping at Jutland Creek near the mouth of the Potomic and at Sandy Point on the Great Wicomic. I do prefer to go with the wind and to also stay at a place if we are enjoying it. May double back after visiting with Darrell's brother and his family .

Many faces of the Chesapeake

We left the crowded beach scene on Sunday and crossed the Bay again to go to the western shore to the West River. Here are many marinas, not much town and the grocery that was supposed to have fabulous homemade pies was closed. It seems that each of these small towns that once were trading places or large crab/oyster places are now mostly for boaters and tourists. Biked 10 miles round trip to pick up fresh produce and meat as well as get some much needed exercie. Out for dinner and then on Tuesday, July 7 a beautiful day! Wind just right at 10 knots steady and of course to get to where we wanted to go we would have to go right into it so we taked across the bay several times just rolling along--one of our best sails yet---until we were ready to motor into the LIttle Coptank River. Here on this Eastern shore there are few towns, and many creeks. We anchored in Hudson Creek and again so rural with woods and marshes and lots of crabbers. All of these creeks,bays harbors etc have no moorings, just lots of space to anchor in 7-12 feet of water. A few other boats joined us. during the night the wind changed and all the boats swung more toward shore. Unfortunately one boat had anchored too close and when they swung during the night they landed blown onto the shallows and were stuck hard in mud. We went over to help, but this time thre was nothing we could do. They had to wait til next morning when a special high tide came in and they could give it all they had with their motor and kedging the anchor to finally get off.
THursday, July 9 heading back to west shore up the Patuxent River.Power plants, gas tanks, lots more boats and acitivty until we headed up river to St Lenords Creek. Anchored in a quiet cove surrounded by high sand banks, trees, a few homes and just a beautiful spot. We are amazed at how often we just sit back and comment on how lovely everything is. Of course weather has been especially great and when/if we have that humid hot weather we may be singing a different tune.

4th of July

Leaving Oxford, we had a great sail over to the Cambridge area on the Eastern Shore, into a cove/creek called LaTrappe. Beautiful anchoring area, but since it also has a rare sand spit for swimming and beaching, it is a favorite spot for small power boats to come for the day especially on this weekend!. We don't mind. There are also many crabbers, both professional and others. Got enthused watching them pull in some crabs so out came the crab trap but all we had was balone so put on a hunk, After pulling the trap in and out most of the day all we came up with was a jelly fish so guess it is beat to wait for a chicken neck to pursue this effort. Just feel as if one should being in the Chesapeake although I don't care much for crab!
We were with Pam and Ben again, from Minnesota and had a few good evenings together playing cards and good conversation. Last night we were getting together when the boat next to us was having a terrible time anchoiring. They were dragging and not putting out enough line etc and we found out that the captain was used to slips and docks and it was a new boat and first time anchoring. After he tried about 5 times and was very close to us, Darrell and Ben wet over to help. Ended up spending an hour and finally we decided his plow anchor was not working in this soft mud and we loaned him our big danforth. they are in good for the night and we all could get a night's sleep without worrying that he would drag and run into us. We hope to see some fire works tonight from the town of Cambridge. Spent today cleaning boat inside and out and now time to sit back and enjoy the beautiful weather. Breeze, not too hot and warm sun.
Peace to all

Oxford

Leaving annapolis we expected a lazy hot day with little wind and it right behind us. We were greeted to a beautiful sail across the bay with plenty of wind and it off the beam. What a blessing! Sunday night we came into a cove that was a complete opposite of
Annapolis. two other boats there with a combination of woods, marsh and some lovely homes. Again lots of birds but osprey seem to dominate. After a lazy morning we sailed over to Plaindealing Creek near Oxford, MA. Spent the rest of the day just soaking up the atmosphere, reading and doing a few chores. Tuesday we came into Oxford, a town that was once a bustling place of trade and now a small community with lots of marinas. Filled up on fuel and water and took off bikes so that we could explore the area. Met a couple from guess what??? From Minnesota! They just bought a boat here in the area and were getting used to it and if plans work out in a few years they plan to sail to Norway or Austrailia or both! I think Ben said he had a brother living in Big Lake which is Nancy's home town! We have had a few of these conversations with people and it is amazing how small the world can be and it is interesting to touch base with people even if it is for a day or so. We always learn something new as well.