May 28. Day 56 On to Oxford MD. 12.8 Nm. Total 1363 miles

Last night took drone shots of our anchorage on St Michael’s.

Today we are going on a short run further up the Choptank River to the Tred Avon River and an anchorage near Oxford,MD.

The creeks we traveled to return the Choptank River are filled with crabbing boats that either drag their baskets on the side of the boat or using small nets to dip into the water. When the baskets fill, they are hauled up and picked through with the small crabs returned to the water.

Oxford was established in 1683 as a port town that thrived through the Revolutionary War. Like St Michael’s, the town was built on shipbuilding, sail making, farming tobacco and vegetables, crabbing and oystering. You can still watch the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry pick-up or discharge it’s passengers as it has for over 300 years.

Oxford’s famous resident, Robert Morris built a house here in 1710, which has been incorporated into the Robert Morris Inn. His son Robert Morris Jr was considered one the chief financiers for the Revolutionary War.

Entering the harbor you pass a number of marinas. We got anchored and settled, just as we were getting ready to leave a young couple in a motorboat approached us asking about the Great Loop. They had dreams of doing the Loop and asked us all kinds of questions. We invited them aboard to see the boat.

Afterwards we launched the dinghy and headed for the Capsize restaurant. There we had a seafood lunch that was delicious. There was so much food that I will use the leftovers for dinner! We were told by the locals that the ice cream shop next to the restaurant was a must do, so after our walk around town, we will indulge. Never pass up good ice cream!

During our walk, we visited the Robert Morris Inn

and homes of sea captains dating from 1770- 1898, all with white picket fences.

Watched the Oxford-Bellevue ferry in operation

And wandered through the Cutts and Case Shipyard where they refurbish old wooden boats.

If you look closely thru the glass and expand the picture you will see the beautifully restored Foto.

Having finished our tour of Oxford we indulged in sharing ice cream.

Then Bill took some more drone shots. He is actually getting pretty good at controlling the drone and getting some excellent shots.

Side trip to the Bahamas- Preparations

As we prepare for our Bahamian Adventure, we are making lists upon lists of things to do and provisions to buy for our upcoming trip to the Bahamas. Bill has spent much time readying the boat for the cruise, checking engines, batteries and all the systems on the boat - electrical, plumbing, navigation, refrigeration and air conditioning. Sure kept Bill busy!!! We took the boat out to check all the systems and to get fuel. We had to re-remember all the navigation and auto pilot workings and surprisingly we did remember!! We have spent the last two days loading the boat with provisions- water, food, tools, clothes, toiletries and cleaning supplies, and our pantry and cabinets are full. We are sitting a bit heavier in the water now that we are fully loaded. Also Bill has finally gotten his TO DO list down to the few remaining items so he sees the light at the end of the tunnel!! We have researched the charts and guide books and have a tentative pla...

Day 24-25 April 15-16 On to Hopetown and Lay day in Hopetown. Miles 12.6. Total 460.6

Day 24 We had a change of plans. Our friends who we met cruising the Loop, Trisha and Mike, are traveling north through the Bahamas and are close, so we will join then in Hope Town. We will then back track a bit to visit Man-o-War Cay and Marsh Harbor after visiting with them. It is a bright sunny day with light winds as we weigh anchor to leave Great Guana. There is lots of freight and commercial traffic today- tugs and barges, large freighters and flat bed delivery boats. It takes all these to handle the shipping needs and construction on the islands. We trip today took along the north east side of Great Guana and then past Scotland Cay, which is all privately owned. Next we passed Fowl Cay which is a nature preserve known for its diving. Following Fowl Cay is Man-o-War Channel with its deep water access to the Atlantic and Man-o-War Cay, known for its ship building and maintenance. Sorry, pictures of the passes and islands did not turn out too well...

On to Allan's-Pensacola Cay. Day 12. April 3. Mile 35.2. Total mile

Day 12 We left our anchorage at sunrise to head out of Great Sale Cay Harbor. Turning west and then north, we will cruise around Great Sale Cay toward Abaco's barrier islands, eventually reaching the eastern edge of the Little Bahama Bank today. As we turn Northeast, we get some spray. Crustacean is quite salty now! Winds are out of the east 10-15 knots with waves at one foot. We cruise past Little Sale Cay we see a steady stream of sailboats going both east and west. I counted 15 total. Nice wind for sailing. Halfway through our trip, you begin to see the outer barrier islands on the horizon to the north. Five miles later you can see Little Abaco Island to our south. Here is a chart of the area we traveled from Great Sale to Allan's-Pensacola Cay today. The further we travel east, the Little Bahama Bank narrows, The winds pick up and seas run 1-2 feet. Crustacean got even saltier! As we approached Allan's-Pensacola the wind and sea...

Crustacean Travels

Search This Blog