We left early from Annapolis so we could get under the 15 foot bridge which has to open for us, before they don’t open due to rush hour. Heading out of the harbor all is quiet, quite a contrast from the jumble of boats and kayaks and water taxis that traversed the harbor over Memorial Day weekend.
Turning north in the Chesapeake, we encounter 14 anchored cargo ships-many the same as we saw coming into Annapolis two days ago. You can see on the chart the green circles denoting the anchoring areas.
Next we went under the William P Lane Memorial Bridge which was originally built in 1952 (the year Bill and I were born). It was the first bridge to span the Chesapeake and connect the Eastern and Western shores.
Passing under the bridge, we saw the SandyPoint Shoal Light, so took a short detour to get a good picture.
Here the Chesapeake narrows further, so you can easily see both shores. On the Western shore, we pass the Magothy River and then the Patapsco River which leads to Baltimore and its port. On the Eastern Shore, we cruise past Kent Island and cross the Chester River to get to our anchorage at Swan Creek near Rock Hall, MD.
After we got organized, we launched the dinghy to get some groceries. We used the dinghy dock at Cove Spring Marina and a van from the local grocery store can to pick us up and then delivered us back to the dinghy. Such service!!
Rock Hall is a small town of people who make their living as watermen or farmers. The five marinas and the supporting marine industries also contribute to the economy. The short stretch of Main Street had all the necessities and a great ice cream shop. On weekends a trolley runs between the marinas and through town.
We took a dinghy ride up Swan Creek and found large lots with homes and acres of grass. Some homes obviously were part of farming operations. Was interesting to see farms so close to the water,but that is how it is on the Eastern Shore. Also we saw lots of duck blinds. Must be good hunting territory.
Had a beautiful sunset.
June 1. Day 61. Nm 36.5. Total. 1454 miles on to Bohemia
Retracing our steps out of Swan Creek and past Rock Hall harbor, we saw more than thirty working fishing boats all collected together outside the bay near the city.
As we turned north,we were close to the Eastern shore and near the shipping channel which leads to Baltimore and the Chesapeake-Delaware Canal. Luckily a tug pushing a barge is way ahead of us and none appears to be behind us, as we have to share the shipping channel for a few miles as we make for the Bohemia River.
On the way we passed rolling hills and woodlands and farmlands on the Eastern shore. On the Western shore, north of Baltimore is an industrial area that gradually changes to a scattering of homes on the bay’s edge.
Further north, we passed the Worton Point Light and started hearing the thunderclap thumps of the Aberdeen Proving Grounds.
The Aberdeen Proving Grounds was begun in 1917 in response to the WWI to create and test ordinance. In addition to that research lab, the base has a Cyber/ Info Systems and Logistics units.
The bay narrows considerably as we pass the Howell Point Light, Sassafras River and Turkey Point Light. We actually leave the bay and go up the Elk River to the Bohemia River for our anchorage for the night.
Have to look closely to find the Howell Point Light. It is above the treetops.
As we go up the Elk River, the land elevation increases and many homes are on the bluffs about 100 feet off the water. the wooded hills behind the bluffs go up to 300 feet. Good sized hills for us Floridians. Here are shots of the two manor houses on the Bohemia River.
Our anchorage is the picture above.
We anchored near Bohemia Manor Winery on the Bohemia River.
Bill decided to clean the boat bottom and he had some help!
