St Michaels, Tangier, and HOME!

As we were preparing to leave Annapolis, a nice couple in kayaks drifted past and asked if we'd take their pictures and e-mail them to them (Luke was playing photographer on the deck of the boat at that time). Nice couple ...

but you can't tell the old book by her cover, can you ....wanna see what they do for a living??? Check out the webpage http://www.hyperfishing.com/

On to St. Michaels from Annapolis. St. Michaels is just the perfect, old Chesapeake Bay town... definitely more laid back. Beautiful old homes-

Great anchorage with a typical Chesapeake sky in the background

There are a couple of museums. First is St Mary's Square museum, in an old home from the area. Lots of history here.

There is also the larger Maritime Museum, with several buildings. There is a replica screwpile lighthouse from the past. You can go in and see how the lighthouse keepers lived back when the lighthouse was located 5 miles off shore.

They also do restoration of old boats, including this old skipjack. LOTS of work still to be done here!

You can try your hand at oystering with tongs--- not much fun, I would think. Luke did manage to "catch" a few of the strategically dumped shells.

One last shot of the cruisers enjoying their northern sojourn this season

As we left St. Michaels, en route to Tangier Island, an oyster dredging boat passed us, packed full. Glad to see they can still make it here!

Tangier is always fun. They are working on cleaning things up a bit, including this cute arrangement of birdhouses.

In an effort to attract the tourists in this economy, Tangier has opened a really nice museum. One benefit of the museum is the free use of kayaks. Yes, we gave it a try! A two person kayak is not always the best of ideas....

We talked with Milton Parks, owner of Parks Marina, at Tangier. His sad commentary on the state of crabbing is that the crabs are being fished out and the state/federal regulations are making it harder and harder for a crabber to make a living. As many as 70% of the island crabbers are now making livings on tugboats. The work is not as hard, there are benefits, and instead of horribly long days, the men work 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off. Just look at the stack of unused crabpots on one crab shack.

Then, home sweet marina. Back to a slip at Ruarks Marina in Fishing Bay, Deltaville.

If the weather holds, we'll drive up to Annapolis for another cruiser's gam tomorrow, then on the boat for a few days of work, cleaning, and early preparations for the departure south in early November. Can't wait to be back in Roanoke!!!