Log of the ELISSA II: June29 -July 3, 2014 Oxford to Herrington Harbor South

06/30: In the morning, we bid farewell to M & E as they departed for their home in the DC suburbs; tidied up the boat, filled water tanks etc. and then welcomed Dave Thatcher and friend Patti who drove over from Cambridge, MD for lunch. Dave & Bonnie were students at the American School in Orleans France in the early 60’s. At 1330, following their departure and a pump out of our holding tank, we left Oxford town on the way to an anchorage on San Domingo Creek off of the Choptank River. Interesting that we ended up about 2 miles from downtown St. Michaels; the dinghy dock at the park where we took the dog was two blocks from Talbot Street, the main drag of the town. We arrived on the hook 15 miles later (1515). Bonnie: Dave and I overlapped one year at OHS 1959-60. Neither of us remembers the other, me being an “upperclassman”. In the early 80’s Dave began identifying and contacting former OHS attendees. What started, as an interest became a passion, which became one of the first overseas DODS Alumni Associations. He has done a magnificent job, resulting in frequent reunions (the first in 1985 on the Washington Mall to this summer’s cruise to Alaska) and providing a venue for all of us to reconnect and relive cherished memories. Dave and Patti live in Cambridge MD and it was great to finally meet/greet and share a lunch together at Schooner’s in Oxford. Our anchorage on San Domingo creek was peaceful, inspite of all the homes along shore. The park we dinghied to is part of a 2+ mile bike and walking path-plans are for it to go all the way to Tilghman Island. In the AM the watermen were out early. Instead of pulling crab pots (the bane of a boater’s existence to navigate through) they used a submerged line with bait in little net pouches. They would just troll along and pick up the lines.and the crabs. Certainly is a boater’s preference.

Dave and Patti

Oxford sailing class

Park off San Domingo Creek

Trolling crabber

Park end of San Domingo Creek

07/01: Had a leisurely AM, left in bright sunshine (and the promise of a very hot day) at 0950 on the way to the east bay area. Turned east on the Miles River, passed St Michaels ant entered Leeds Creek to visit an old favorite Drac’s Shack (an unusual villa in a Moorish style; When cruising in the 70’s, we convinced two little crew members that it was occupied by vampire family of Count Dracula). Suffice it to say that there really was/is a “story” attached to it-more from Bonnie. Ended up in yet another wonderful anchorage on the Wye East River. Bonnie: The architectural design of this Eastern Shore home is in stark contrast to all the others, which always let us use our imaginations as to why/who lived there. The “Legend” as I found by googling “pink castle on Leeds Creek” is that in the 1920’s a former State Department Foreign Service Officer built it. He “feared for his life” and was a recluse and had the property (91 acres) and home heavily secured and fortified. He had an assistant throughout his lifetime and to whom he left the property. The Assistant’s widow and daughter currently live on the property; the widow reporting that it was all just colorful stories! A piece of trivia is that they have an Albin 28 trawler at their dock—good tasted by us both!! The lovely cove had a perfect beach to row to and let Jada romp. Was going to wait awhile and enjoy a lazy afternoon when I glanced at the beach: it was slowly shrinking with the incoming tide! So off we rowed and enjoyed a romp on a beach, which was totally submerged within 45 minutes!!!

Disappearing beach!!

Cleaver name!

Their Albin 28 Trawler

Drac's Shack

A "Home on the Bay"

07/02: Though anchored in another Paradise, trouble found us. We couldn’t get our battery bank (4 6 volt Golf Cart batts wired together to give us 12 volts and 500 amp hours) to take a charge from the engine or our genset. Fortunately, however, our starting battery was not affected so we were able to get underway Left Wye River at 0745 on yet another fine (but hot) day. In light of electrical issues we sopped in St Michaels to see if local yard could fix-no joy. So, proceeded to the Marina at Knapps Narrows where we had reservations for the night. We were tied up to the transient dock by lunchtime. Once there it occurred to me that I might have a weak cell in one of the batteries. Checked all, topped of water levels and PRESTO, no more batt issues. J We then took a couple of “courtesy bikes” to a late + great lunch (I again test sampled their crab cakes=very good), sought out a couple of museums, all closed. I then gave up on the bike (too hot at 96*) and returned to boat to prepare for a clean up session. Bonnie continued exploring for another hour or so and then we both set to a stem to stern cleaning of the Elissa II. In honor of the heat we had a late wine & cheese supper and enjoyed the cooling breezes of the evening. Ran the on board AC for a cool “bedroom” and further enjoyed a super good pyrotechnic display w/torrential rainfall. Nothing better to be securely moored and falling asleep to the rolling of thunder and drumming of the rain on the fiberglass cabin top. Bonnie: Our unplanned St Michaels stop gave Jada and me an extra chance to wander the streets and parks of this lovely town! The drawbridge at Knapps Narrows separates Tilghman Island from the Mainland (is 12 miles to St Michaels by land, 32 miles by water). I continued biking on south – drinking lots of water. My goal was to reach the southern tip plus see historic St John’s Church and 1 museum and 1 nautical bookstore on the way. Museum and bookstores closed, St John’s was worth the stop. BUT with the heat index above 100, I decided to head back up the Island. Arrived with time to spare to help clean and do laundry!!!