Day 228-242 – 5/19-6/2/24

Dad’s visit

Weather: We were fortunate to have mostly sunny days and calm weather with one brief severe lightning storm while in St.Michaels.

General summary: We had planned to have my dad visit us for two weeks in order to re-visit some of his favorite stops on the Chesapeake and then gather family at a rental house (with a dock for us) and celebrate his 80th (plus one) birthday with friends from his sailing club. The Coyles were kind enough to pick him up at the airport hotel (where he stayed the first night), pick me up from the grocery store, and drop us off at Pleasure Cove Marina, where we had moored the previous night. Hoping for good weather, we headed out to the Bay. I am going to condense this time to one post.

5/19 Motored back to Pleasure Cove Marina for the night. Had a great crabcake dinner at the restaurant.

5/20-21 Still Pond: Motored across the Bay back to the Eastern Shore and a bit North. We’d found an Air bnb located deep into the North split that had a dock and a garage-top apartment. Lovely views and calm water. Motored North to the Sassafras River on day 2, went for a hike, ate dinner at Kitty Knight restaurant in Georgetown, then made it back just before nightfall.

5/22-23 Rock Hall: Motored South to another quaint town. Small maritime museum.

5/24-26 Chestertown: Motored further South and hiked on Eastern Neck Island after tying up to a public dock. Then, went further up the Chester River to Chestertown. There was a farmers market one day, then a parade and tea party re-enactment.

5/27-28 St. Michaels: Motored South through Kent Narrows and on to St. Michaels. A favorite stop for many on the Bay. Historic homes reminiscent of Annapolis. Great Maritime Museum. Fantastic ice cream, restaurants, shopping.

5/29 Magothy Marina: Dropped Dad off and he was picked up by some friends who he visited overnight.

5/30-6/2 Waterfront rental: Motored a short mile to rental. Nice to have a dock to tie up our boat. Dad got a rental car and met us. Rest of family arrived from New Jersey and New York. We visited the National Cryptologic Museum, where Dad got to tell us some (non-confidential) NSA stories. Had a typical Maryland crab feast. Had the birthday gathering. Much thanks to the Durrs for letting us use Hammock Island Marina!!! Spent the last day hanging out on the dock in the sun and swimming in the Magothy River.