Things are not always as they appear.

9/16/12 Sunday     Time to continue moving North. We pulled out into the Bay along with everyone else who owned a boat in the area. We cruised past Poplar Island and headed up Eastern Bay where we were met by an armada of sailboats heading home.

Sunday migration home.

Once well into Eastern Bay we could turn right and head to St. Michael's or turn a little left and head to Kent Narrows. We turned left. Our destination, Kirwan Creek anchorage just below Kent Narrows. The reviews on Active Captain (www.activecaptain.com) said to stay in the charted deep water and feel your way in but that there is no less than 5.5 feet of water once in the anchorage. As we approached I slowed to an idle and turned off of the channel. The plotter showed 11' of water well into the area where we were headed. About half way in the bottom came up to meet us. This is apparently what they meant by "feel your way in". I quickly put the gear shifts in neutral as all forward motion stopped. Hmmm. The plotter still shows 11' but the depth meter is reading 1.2 feet under the keel. That means we're in only 3.2' and we draw 4'. Fortunately it's a soft bottom.

What to do? What to do?

First drop the anchor to keep from going any further. The wakes from passing boats rocked us enough that Tourist turned to face back out towards the channel.
Second launch the dinghy to take some weight off the stern of the boat.
Third raise the anchor and push Tourist with the dinghy back into deeper water. Success!

Back under her own power we backtracked to the channel and headed toward Marshy Creek, our backup plan anchorage. A little more exposed but after the traffic died down a nice calm spot.

Our anchorage was invaded by kayaker's.

Once we felt secure we took the dinghy around the area which is loaded with condo's, marinas, and waterfront dining spots.

Kent Narrows Area.

9/17/12 Monday     The channel passing through Kent Narrow's is noted for shoaling and fast currents. with that in mind we were up early to catch the tide at it's high point which gives us maximum depth and minimal current.

Marshy Creek Sunrise

Just us & the watermen are up.

The Kent Narrows bridge opens every half hour so we motored towards the narrow bridge.

Kent Narrows Bridge. Very narrow!

The channel going out to the Chester River has shoaled in spots to the point that they've had to re-position the markers making it very narrow. We had 6' or better under the keel all the way through and with no traffic we had no problems.

Our destination of Rock Hall was only a few miles to the North so our arrival was much earlier than normal. A call to Rock Hall Landing Marina got us a slip and an early check in.

Entering the breakwater at Rock Hall.

Our home for the next few nights.

We wanted to see Rock Hall and with impending weather it seemed like a good spot to hunker down for a few days. After getting lines secured and ourselves cleaned up we took the short walk to downtown. Our first stop was Durding's Store, an old time drug store/soda shop where we had lunch.

Durding's Store.

Durding's Poster People!

Our next stop was Bayside Foods to replenish our supplies. I particularly liked their shopping carts.

Purple! Maybe a new color for our Hy-Vee Store back home?

Fortunately the store provides rides to the area marinas for customers. Needless to say, we took advantage of their hospitality.

After our(my) afternoon nap we set out for a late afternoon walk. One of the interesting things we passed was the Rock Hall Marine Railway.

Office

Travel lift on rails pulls the boats and places them on a rolling cradle.

It then rolls onto this carriage to be moved to one of the storage buildings.

The carriage lines up with the appropriate building and cradled boat rolls in for storage.

After wandering around Rock Hall we spied a sign for half price meals. Of course we checked it out.  The Bay Wolf Restaurant turned out to be a good choice. Great drinks and food selections from sea food to wiener schnitzel.

Notice the half price night sign.

After our meal the walk home was definitely needed!

9/18/12 Tuesday     The wind is picking up with intermittent rain when we get up. As a precaution I double up the mooring lines while it's not raining and stow any loose items that are laying around. Then it's into the shower to get ready for our big outing. Seems the Coconuts crew is chasing us and are moored near Annapolis. They decided to rent a car and come over to pick us up and go exploring. Nice! By the time they arrive it's raining and blowing pretty good. Another check of the lines and off we go but not before discovering this mess of mud on the side of Tourist.

Unknown Source.

We had lunch in Chestertown and then found an outlet mall to explore. Of course we found a few things we needed as we wandered around. By the time we made it around the wind was blowing pretty hard so we headed back to Rock Hall. Our timing was good. By the time we arrived back at Tourist the brunt of the storm had passed but not before it had picked up a boat and stuck it through a building.

OK, So maybe I exaggerate a little.

Actually winds were clocked in excess of 50 mph.

After dinner at Waterman's Crab House with Bru & Sandy Pam & I retired to Tourist. Of course with a full stomach it wasn't long before I found a comfortable spot on the couch. When I woke up Pam tried to tell me that the wind had kicked up again while I was sleeping. She claims she had to hold on at times while she was sitting at our dinette working on the computer. I attribute it to the wine at dinner.

9/19/12 Wednesday     It's National Talk Like a Pirate Day! Arrrrgh Matey!

Still breezy but the sun's shining. Time to get a few things done. Clean the mud off the boat. Change the water filters on the engines, and a few other small items. For Pam it's hair day at the local salon followed by laundry. As things go while I was doing some of the little things I found I needed a screw that I didn't have so after lunch I hiked out to the local hardware store. A nice day for a walk. Arrrrgh!

In other news we'd like to wish Pam's son Matthew a very happy birthday today!