In Maryland, They Serve Scotch with a Slice of Lime

 And Other Observations from the Land of Spiro Agnew

One of the reasons we chose to visit Crisfield ("the marina without a town") was to make an opportunistic fuel purchase at a good price.  (As a state-owned enterprise, a profit margin is not an issue.) Alas,  the morning we left the Marina was without power and the fuel dock was closed. (heavy sigh)

Shaking the dust from our sandals, we headed back across the Bay to Solomons, MD, one of the legendary yachting destinations in the region.  We intended to pick up a mooring ball and try out our dinghy for shore visits.  Alas, the moorings for boats our size were occupied or blocked by some big sailing catamarans.  Those rag boaters were apparently absent the day they taught sharing. Typical.

So we ended up with a side-tie berth at Zanhiser's Marina.  The marina was spotless, the staff very helpful, and the place was SO boring  The restaurant was closed due to COVID, the store was closed due to COVID, the pool bar was closed due to (you guessed it) COVID.  Maggie could even find people on the docks to charm  By knocking on the right window at the office, we did obtain the use of a couple of beach cruiser bikes We had a nice ride around Solomons Island where we saw a nice seaside village, most of which was closed due to COVID.  The nice people at the marina did take Kathleen to the grocery store and the liquor store, so we were able to maintain our larder.

After two nights, we bid Solomons a yawning adieu and crossed the bay once more to the lovely little village of St. Micheals on the Miles River. AND IT IS OPEN FOR BIDNESS!  St. Micheals is a

charming home to about 1,000 souls who have all figured out how to function under COVID  Our marina was at a small resort hotel and THEIR pool bar was at full service.  And Admiral Magie made more new friends than we could count.   As we passed the restaurant deck on our way for a walk, people we had never even seen called out "Hi, Maggie"  Sheesh.  

AND.......

AND......

AND.....

....the weather was cloudy and cool (well, relatively).  Highs of 80 with occasional light rain.   So much contrast to what we have been experiencing,  we were tempted to wear long pants for the first time since leaving Spok-la-homa in June.  (But cooler heads prevailed.)   

We had a lovely walk down thru the business district along the harbor and among the many lovely period homes (real and ersatz).  We searched in vain for the homes reported owned by Dick Cheney and Don Rumsfeld. (Should one expect watch towers and concertina wire?)

On Friday morning, we availed ourselves to 200 gallons of diesel at $1.99 per and set off thru a 10-15  knot NE wind and a light chop.  We learned that Irish Lass does not much like a following sea at our usual 9 knot/1 mpg cruising speed with a full load of fuel.  By running a bit faster, the hydrodynamic of our planing hull gave us a more stable, comfortable ride.  At the cost of more fuel,  of course.  (heavy sigh)

Which brought us to the boating capital of the mid-Atlantic region, Annapolis, where we are safely ensconced at Annapolis Landing Marina.   WOW! More boats and boatyards than you ever did see.  One of our neighbors is rumored to be retired Admiral John Poindexter (Ollie North's Iran Contra boss).   

We are planning our attack of Annapolis, so stand by for further news.

Oh, and WTF is the Scotch with lime thing?  (Can't be from Spiro.  He a milk guy, right?😀)  Can any of you offer any insights on this point?

Thanks

Wade and Kathleen.