Smith Island, MD

This was the first time we saw the Chesapeake almost totally flat. It was a strange feeling to look out to the horizon and not really be sure where the sky ended and the water began.

The day started out chilly (low 60's) and foggy. We dinghied into Onancock again to run a few errands and stop at the local bakery for a cinnamon bun breakfast. Then we dug the anchor out of the thick, black, smelly mud and motored the 4 miles out the river.

 We turned north toward Smith Island and found the wind on our nose, although it was predicted to be from the southwest. Since the wind was not much of a factor at 3-6 knots, we happily motored on through the calm water. Polished the rest of the lifelines that we started several days ago and waxed part of the cabin top. Read a little and watched for crab pots and large barges being pushed down the bay.

The channel into Ewell was long and circuitous with several areas beginning to shoal in spite of being dredged recently. But we got into town safely, waited while the passenger ferry moved, and backed into the slip at Smith Island Marina, a tiny place run by a friendly couple. There is a great blue heron rookery in front of us across the channel and the birds are keeping Callie interested with their continuous chattering. She now has become so adventurous as to actually jump on the dock here. That is not a good thing so we will have to watch her when she is outside. She has been known to wander off on her own agenda for long periods of time at home. Can't have that while traveling.

We bought some crab cakes “to go” from the restaurant next door because they close at 4:00 after the last ferry leaves and we weren't ready to eat that early. Walked around the little town and purchased fresh corn and a huge cantaloupe from the correspondingly tiny grocery. Dinner, later, was excellent. The best crab cakes we've had so far. Guess it's because we are finally in Maryland, famous for their crabs.

Trip back across the bay is on the agenda tomorrow.