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.