We departed Solomon’s around 9am and crossed back to the east side of the Chesapeake Bay, again. We keep cross crossing the bay to see the ports we want, which happens to keep us on this back and forth route. The weather was in the mid seventies, and it was a nice day for a boat ride. There was a storm forecast for overnight, but right now it was nice. We made our way to the creek, avoiding the crab traps and shallow areas. As we approached the anchorage we found a couple of boats anchored, as well a a nice big catamaran on a private mooring ball. We dropped anchor between the two anchored boats and a fair distance from the catamaran and let out plenty of rode . There were beautiful homes all around us, and we hung out for a while making sure we were securely anchored. Eventually we loaded into the dinghy to take Frank into town and explore what we could. I started the motor and went to turn the throttle and nothing happened. WTF. Not only is the starter cord broken, but now the throttle? I looked it over and couldn’t figure out exactly what was wrong, but I could make it go (barely) enough to get us to shore. We found our way to the dinghy dock, located in a small park, and walked around town. Right at the entrance to the park was a colorful home with amazing gardens all around it. At the gate was a sign that read “open garden visitors are welcome to come in and enjoy “.
It was such a sweet gesture. We walked up the main street, Talbot Street, and checked out the shops and such. Stores were just starting to open and this being a weekend there were plenty of people out and about. We stopped for some ice cream at Justines Ice Cream Parlour to cool off. We continued on down the street and found our first brewery that was open with outdoor seating since Florida! We found a table at Eastern Shores Brewery and Frank sprawled out in the middle of the aisle, making himself comfortable. We enjoyed some beers and finally decided we should head back to the boat. We made our way back to the dinghy and I tried heading back. The throttle wasn’t working very well and we were putting our way back and that wasn’t working, so I started to row us back. Another couple in their dinghy pulled up close and inquired what was wrong? I explained how the throttle wasn’t working and he offered to take a quick look. He couldn’t figure out exactly what was wrong, but he did show me how to make it kind of work by using something to manipulate the throttle, which is under the spinning flywheel and behind something else, so the only way to reach it is by using a screwdriver or else I’d lose my finger. He told me they had anchored behind us and were neighbors for the night. I didn’t have a screwdriver onboard the dinghy at this time, so I ended up rowing us back the rest of the way (Lauren thought it was funny and took pics of me rowing!). As we came back we saw there were two sailboats anchored and rafted together in front of us as well as our neighbor we had met behind us. We settled in for the night, enjoyed a spectacular sunset, and I let out a little more anchor line, again due to the weather we were expecting overnight.
Around 2am I was awoken by the sound and the rocking of the wind. I went out to the deck to check things out. As I came out it was raining and the wind was howling! I looked around and saw there was some commotion going on. We were holding tight on our anchor, but the two sailboats that were ahead of us were now behind us! I could see flashlights and hear voices, but I couldn’t clearly make anything out over the wind and rain. It appeared to me they had drug their anchor and ended up getting tangled up into the sailboat behind us… I’m not sure how they missed us! I sat on the back deck and watched what was going on, while making periodic trips to the bow to make check on the anchor and make sure we were still secure. The waves were bouncing us a bit and the wind was still howling but we seemed to be not moving. I watched the one other sailboat that was in front of us come by and pass us, but they seemed to be in control. There was not way I could talk to them except on the radio, but I didn’t want to attempt a conversation in the middle of this craziness- been there, done that. I watched them turn off into a small creek/ off shoot and eventually drop anchor there. I turned my attention back to the three boats that were tangled up; they seemed to have disengaged from each other and two of the boats were heading out the creek. I’m not sure where they were going and didn’t watch too long as I was still concerned about our anchor situation. The wind and rain continued to blow and I eventually went inside to get out of the weather. I continued to monitor our situation and the wind eventually started to settle down a bit. At this point it was after 4am, but at least I was feeling better about our state of affairs. Eventually I retired to the cabin and fell asleep.
Day 2- In the morning I was telling Lauren about the boats dragging, and she said she didn’t even wake up! I recounted the story over breakfast then we headed into town. Before we left I saw our neighbor coming past in their dinghy and they stopped to chat- they told me they were woken up by the collision of the two sailboats, and the other guys came out and said he had hit them! He told them to look around, then they realized it was their fault. They did get tangled up, but once free the other two went to another protected channel. Our friend said there wasn’t much/any damage, so all was good. They were leaving and heading back home. We loaded into the dinghy and went in to town. We stopped for lunch at Crepes by the Bay where they gave Frank his own complimentary order of bacon! We had some delicious crepes and continued walking around town. We walked through the harbor area and along the bike paths they have around town. We tried going to the distillery, but it was closed. We were killing some time before heading back for the night and I saw a cool garage behind a home but couldn’t figure out how they got the car in it as it didn’t have a driveway. I noticed the homeowner outside so I asked him- he explained they drive over the lawn (which was immaculate; no tire tracks) and how he had to get approval for a ‘shed’, which he slyly converted into said garage. We got to chatting about our trip and exchanged information, and boy does he have some great stories of his boat travels! It was finally time to head back before it got dark, so we loaded back up and took the long, slow trek back. Dinner was made and we decided on our next destination- we were going to go back across the Chesapeake Bay and fill up our fuel tanks at a marina known for cheap diesel, then continue to an anchorage for the night.