Long Haul Creek, near St Michaels (9493nm)

Beer O'clock from a small creek near St Michaels - we had cruised here from Annapolis. By the way the neoprene stuby holders are a very good idea in the heat - not only do they keep the beer cool, they stop condensation drips that get everywhere

Leaving the US Naval Academy, all the nice girls like a sailor, Shirley's got hers...

The middle of Chesapeake Bay is a sizeable sea - 150 mile long although less than 30 miles wide. However there are so many estuaries on the West or East banks there are easy cruises between towns, and many little creeks to anchor. Given typical 10 knot breezes it is a sailing delight. The shot above shows us going to windward towards a chesapeake lighthouse- weird designs, they can survive sea ice in winter. We examine one in detail later. The bay is mainly shallow, average is 20 feet.

We pass this and pull in to the inlet that leads to St Michales - a town with a major maritime museum and working restoration boat yard. A mere 30 mile from Annapolis.
We celebrate by having beer o'clock - the opening photograph in the blog.
We had pulled into the creek because the anchorage in St Michaels might have been overfull, it being Sunday afternoon. Actually I doubt this but we decided to have a swim and chill out in the creek and travel the two miles to the town the following morning

There goes me, walking on water again

The boarding ladder is still not fit for purpose, Matt and I (and Alan) can climb it but no-one else over 60 has enough upper arm strength. But we have launched the dinghy and Shirley can get into it - I didn't leave here behind

So near and yet so far.

The shower works well for a swimming rinse. Full showers require us to be a bit more coy, to avoid disturbing the wildlife. see the next blog for explicit photographs!

Afterwards, we go exploring - the creek is about a mile long and we use the oars to keep the peace.

It's great having crew

Trees, marsh and houses, usually hard to see. A delightful place to live.

And of course docks, for sitting on a chair to get some breeze or to keep your boat

After meandering up the creek (with a paddle) I take over and row back

There are birds and deer in the woods

And fish are jumping, jumping in the sea (well, it is Summer time) << hint think song >>

Shirley asks some friendly, passing Kayakers what they use to catch the fish 

And she has a go. We hear and see fish jumping every minute or so, but they don't bite. We have Chilli for tea.

The following day we move around to St Michaels, anchor in a more open roadstead and take the dinghy to a public dock beside the museum.

I have placed the St Michael photographs in the next blog as I am uploading over my phone!

Bye for Now...