June 17-18, Solomons, MD

Today we moved 30 miles from just inside the Potomac River north into the Patuxent River and into the very nice harbor at Solomon's Island. We got in about noon and had a chance to relax.

Rounding Point Lookout where the Potomac meets the Chesapeake Bay.

Approaching Solomons.

We are staying at the Spring Cove Marina in Solomon's. They have a pool and nice BBQ and picnic area. The Internet is pretty good, although best early in the morning. The showers and restrooms are modern and very clean. Very nice marina and the most family friendly of our whole trip.

Spring Cove Marina

John and Julie and the whole McGrath family (Christopher, Jack, Ryan, Tommy, Gracie and Mia) drove from NC and have joined us for a week of cruising, sightseeing and eating well on the boat.

Mia, Gracie and Tommy crabbing.

First order of business is to get the crab lines baited with chicken parts and Tommy begins to catch a few right away. His skills are adopted by the rest of us and we all start catching crabs from the boat. Gracie and Mia, too. Lots of fun. We wonder what to do with them? We ended up having them die in the bucket and returned them to the deep. Our first crab outing was successful in catching crab but not successful after that. We need a plan for cooking and eating.

Julie, Mia and Linda.
We all enjoyed the pool for hours. Hot today.

We toured the small town of Solomons by car. There are a half dozen restaurants here and it seems to be a regional hub for retailers though most are out by the highway. There is a large Naval Air Station just to the south and we can hear the jets coming and going. Very loud. We also use the car to make a run to Wal-mart for provisions. Nice to have a car.

Maryland was settled by Europeans who were Catholic.
Very small town. Big Catholic church.

Christopher and Jack in front of an old sailing skiff
used to gather oysters and crabs.

We visited the restored Drum Point Lighthouse.
Gracie, John, Christopher, Tommy, Ryan and Jack.

The Calvert Maritime Museum features exhibits telling the history of the Chesapeake. Starts millions of years ago with the paleontology exhibits and goes to the present featuring the wildlife and the boats and the people of the area. The Drum Point Lighthouse was relocated here and restored and we looked at every nook and cranny. Interesting.