MONDAY AUGUST 16TH

We left Baltimore as the sun was rising. Possible severe storms expected later so we are getting an early start. The water taxis were already starting for the day.

Baltimore was a fun stop, but it is nice to be leaving the waters of the inner harbor. With the recent heavy rains the garbage in the streets has washed down the storm sewers, which empty into the harbor. And into the marina we are staying in particular. Leaves, bottles, styro containers, plastic coat hangers, sections of 4 x 4 posts, bags, garbage, you name it. It’s totally disgusting! We have noticed a boat that goes back and forth in the harbor with a mechanical device on its side, which we think, sweeps the water for trash. No way to operate that in the marina, so we have to wait for the tides to wash it away.

From the harbor we could see this sign perched on top of a building. Turns out its Natty Boh. He’s the unofficial mascot of Baltimore. He even has a website where you can buy stuff with his face on it. His name comes from the National Bohemian Beer Company started in 1885. Miller Brewing now owns it. One of Boh’s products was Colt 45 Malt Liquor.

Baltimore being a very large port has ships from all over the world coming in. It is a local “pilot” who is brought out to each ship and he/she takes over command and brings the ship in. Along with tugboats who push and guide it. A Pilot Boat brings the pilot out and they have to climb up a ladder that the ship crew lowers down.

It was calm out this morning, but I imagine this can get fairly hairy at times. This is a full sized view of what they are doing. No thanks!!





Today we traveled 47 miles up the Chesapeake to  Georgetown, Maryland. The water is less salty, and dirty, as we made out way. The color of it changed and even the smell is fresher. Smells more like a river again.

The crabs must like this water because there were crab pots everywhere!! I think it’s the densest area of pots we’ve encountered. Most pots are thrown out in long straight lines so you can make a course adjustment. These were scattered willy nilly about 30 feet apart. Our boat is 15 feet wide so it made for some wild driving. The waves and the dark color of the floats made them really tough to spot. I’m still amazed we didn’t wrap one around our prop.

Georgetown is located on the Sassafras River. It is gorgeous!! “Wish we had more time and cooler weather so we could enjoy the beauty of the place”….Roscoe

There are many back bays to anchor, sandy shorelines, hills, birds, and I’m guessing good fishing from all the little fishing boats we see. The air smells fresh. And you can actually swim in these waters. No jellyfish.

It’s easy to understand why there are so many marinas here. It is well protected from weather and fresh water is way easier on your boat than salt water. The predicted storms passed to our north. Dodged another bullet.

The roof over the slips in the picture had the roof collapse on it last winter because of the weight of snow. I think they had something like 60 inches of snow fall within a week or so.