At least twice in the past we have attempted to visit St. Michaels, one of the hottest boating destinations on Maryland's Eastern Shore. It has been "full", and finally this week we found it more open. We crossed from Annapolis, passing many Navy warships en route to Baltimore for celebration of the 200th anniversary of the writing of "The Star Spangled Banner". We had hoped to attend some of the festivities, but by the time we realized we might be back in the area in time to do so, the harbor's marinas and anchorages were all full. We also passed the Bloody Point Bar Light. While the light isn't very colorful, the name certainly is! We arrived in St. Michaels shortly after noon following a delightful passage, and backed into a tight slip. We then set off to explore this interesting little village, wander through its shops, and visit the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. That facility was well worth the trip, and it houses exhibits that detail and display boats and equipment related to the various maritime industries that have existed in this bay for centuries. A screw-pile lighthouse is on scene to be climbed and explored, as are boat building and model boat building facilities. Museum exhibits related to tugboats, waterfowl hunting, and the harvesting of oysters, crabs, and other seafood are present. The massive duck-hunting gun shown in the canoe photo was used illegally to sneak up on large groups of ducks floating on the water surface at night. One shot would often net 30 or more birds. Many other types of multiple-shot guns were also used, and finally police action was needed to bring the practice to an end.
The next day we traveled to Oxford, MD, to see this quaint town. The trip involved some upwind slogging through short Chesapeake Bay chop, so it wasn't the most relaxed travel we have had, though once in the Choptank River we were traveling downwind. Upon arriving, I asked the marina dockmaster what to "do and see" in Oxford. His response: "not much". We wandered through the town, but he was right. There was only one "gift/souvenir shop" measuring about ten feet square, and the museum was closed. I thought I'd change a large bill at the one bank, but it is only open from 9-12 daily. We did find a nice restaurant, and the area seems to have many marinas, but I'm not sure what drives any local economy.
Following the passage of a cold front, we will head south for Solomons, MD, where we will keep the boat for a month, during which we will return to Texas for a visit and attend the Kadey-Krogen Rendezvous when many owners of boats of the same brand as Texas Ranger will gather for seminars, information sharing, and socializing. Texas Ranger has traveled over 3,000 nautical miles this summer, and seen many sights that are "once in a lifetime" adventures.
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| Oxford, MD |
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| St. Paul's Church, Oxford, MD |
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| Oxford, MD |
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| Oxford, MD |
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| Texas Ranger at Dock, Oxford, MD |
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| Bloody Point Bar Light |
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| St. Michaels Harbor |
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| St. Michaels, MD |
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| St. Michaels Parish |
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| St. Michaels, MD |
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| Museum Old Buildings |
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| St. Michaels, MD |
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| Chesapeake Bay Skipjack |
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| Screw Pile Lighthouse |
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| Good Looking K-K 48--Texas Ranger |
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| U.S. Coast Guard |
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| 2-gauge Duck Gun |
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| Museum Wildlife |
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| Museum Wildlife |
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