Left Solomons, heading north. You have to pay attention when heading in that direction. First you make sure you aren't in the shallow water in the inlet. That shallow water butts up to the Cliffs of Calvert. There is a nice state park here, and the cliffs are renowned for the many fossils found here, such as magalodon teeth. Here is an excerpt from a webpage about fossil hunting in the area, plus the link to the webpage.
"Around this time in the early to middle Miocene, the Salisbury Embayment was a shallow sea. It is thought to have been used as a calving ground for many species of early dolphins and whales. Since there were so many marine mammals here, the largest of prehistoric sharks, the Megatooth sharks (including C. megalodon), spent a lot of time feeding here. The climate was warmer than it is now, so on the shore, a diversity of plants grew here, from Cyprus trees to Oak trees."
http://www.fossilguy.com/sites/calvert/
Once past the shallow waters, you next see the beautiful Cove Point Lighthouse. That is NOT a hazard!
But the multiple fish pound nets in the area are. The water looks safe and clear until you notice the many groups of poles (pounded into the bay floor --- i.e. "pound nets"). The poles are joined by fish nets. The design is to allow fish to swim up into the nets but not out again. With time, the poles deteriorate and break below the water, creating a hazard. The channel markers will keep you out of this hazard - if you obey them! We do - not everyone does.
We aren't through yet. Just past the Cliffs is a LNG (liquid natural gas) terminal, set in the bay to accommodate the large ships that deliver the fuel. This has a really wide "restricted area" to boaters. Have to admit, though, we have never seen any sign of life there.
And then there are the barges, being pushed by tugs. They generally stay in the main channel, but sometimes we have to get in the channel too. We were "sandwiched" by two of them at one time today.
Ahhh...approaching Annapolis! You can tell by the beautiful schooners, taking paying passengers out for cruises. That is the Annapolis Bay Bridge behind her. We will be sailing under the bridge tomorrow.
Annapolis is a charming town. Tucked in tiny streets surrounded by shops and the US Naval Academy, you'll find narrow streets with narrow row houses.
Annapolis is also the capital of Maryland. Her lovely capital building is in the middle of the old waterfront part of town.
Running straight into town is a finger of water called "ego alley". This is where you slowly cruise your boat, turn around, and cruise back out again, giving all of the land bound tourists a chance to watch and admire. I have to admit, we did it once and darn near didn't get turned around again. This was meant for smaller or more maneuverable boats. There are slips all along the alley, available for those who want to pay the cost.
And here are two tourists. No, that isn't Latitudes behind us; just happened to be in the background.
Dusk, and a beautiful view of the capital building from our mooring.
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