Moving down the Chesapeake

September 27/28

Our next stop, Gibson's Island on the Magothy River.  We pulled in a dropped anchor by lunch time.  This particular spot was recommended by cruisers we met back in Kingston, ON.  Sure enough, we're sitting on the back deck looking out at a horse farm!

The anchorage was pretty busy on this beautiful Saturday.  This beauty cruised through to take a look.

We enjoyed exploring the area by dinghy before moving on Monday morning.

Annapolis  -  September 29 - October 1

It was just a short hop from the anchorage down to Annapolis.  We'd been here many times for boat shows, but never by boat -- let alone, our own boat!  

It IS the Chesapeake -- so we've been dodging crab pots from Baltimore on down.  Seeing how the crabbers work their pots --- well you can understand why it's so darn expensive when you see the work it takes to catch the darn things!

Cruising by the Naval Academy -- our first view from the water

Beyond downtown Annapolis and the Academy, we tied up to mooring balls in Weems Creek.  We'd arrived before lunchtime, so there was plenty of time to dinghy in and provision up at the local grocery.

Tuesday we met a great guy at the coffee shop who not only had lots of information to share, but even gave us a ride to connect with public transit that would take us down to the Annapolis waterfront.

This Spanish galleon was docked at the wharf.  It's the biggest "tall ship" we'd ever seen!








After cruising through the downtown shopping area and lunch at Middleton Tavern (the best steamed shrimp and oyster shooters in town!), we decided to take the Naval Academy tour.  As many times as we've been there, we had never actually been on the grounds.  It was well worth the time!

After watching a short video, we were able to tour the beautiful grounds, the huge dormitory, one of the athletic facilities housing the olympic sized pool,











                                         the chapel,
















   





which also houses the tomb of John Paul Jones

and the museum.  Here you see the original flag from the battle of Lake Erie.






It was a very impressive inspiring place.



Wednesday we moved from our moorings.  Actually they were US Navy moorings -- supposedly only used if a "named" storm is imminent.  Apparently things have changed because the Navy was handing out "eviction" notices --- good thing we had reservations elsewhere!

Destination Mears Marina in Eastport.  What a nice place -- lovely bathroom, shower, laundry, and outdoor  facilities

It was marina chore day --- laundry, fill water tanks, bike to Fawcett's and West Marine for odds and ends, etc.  We took advantage of the lovely outdoor area for a cook out and campfire --- lovely end to the day.