Deale, Maryland - Day 9

Another enjoyable day on the Chesapeake.  We wanted to get some window screens made for when we are in Canada and the Bahamas.  Problem is every place had at least a three week wait to get them made.  So, Charlie spent $79 for materials and handcrafted our screens himself!  Only took about 5 hours and save us at least $600!

We saw a Cownose Ray swimming near our boat. I thought it was two sharks! I wasn't able to take a photo but here's a stock photo:

Who knew?!

Cownose Rays swim near the surface of the water flapping their ‘wings’ like a bird. As they swim, the tips of their fins break the surface and can look like shark fins.

They can weigh as much as 50 pounds.

Its squared, indented snout resembles a cow’s nose.

They live in schools near the surface of shallow waters and visit the Chesapeake Bay from May to October.

They eat mollusks such as oysters, hard clams and soft-shelled clams.

They are sometimes called a “doublehead” because of the indentation around its snout.

Captain John Smith, in 1608, was stung so severely by one that he and his crew thought he was going to die.  That site is still known today as “Stingray Point” in Deltaville, MD where we were at port prior.

I spent the day smoking some beef for chopped beef sandwiches along with beef sausage and andouille sausage for future meals.

Storm rolled in and was quickly gone.

Garmin pulling nightwatch duty.

Deale, Maryland - Day 8

All day long.......this is what "we" did.

Perfect lazy day for Charlie to smoke a fine cigar and taste-test a 5 yr., 7 yr., and 12 yr. Rum...(Charlie doing his "Carson Cole" impersonation of 'deep thoughts'!)

Rib-eyes on the grill along with a T-Bone for Garmin to taste-test against his 'usual' Rib-eye Bone.

Garmin wants another opportunity to compare the two.....too close to decide tonight.

I spent the day doing Galley chores and catching up on streaming a few television programs I've missed.  Someone had to be 'productive'!

Annapolis, Maryland

It was a very hot day today, temperature was 95 degrees with a real feel of 106.  We took a quick trip into Annapolis today to shop for a center console Dinghy.  Garmin found the perfect one!

Today's transportation was a lovely rented Nissan Versa Note

Sunset

Random Thursday

Deale, Maryland - Day 5

We spent the day running errands and went into Marlboro, MD.  Thank you Trang for use of your great Jeep!  We're not accustomed to such a nice ride while underway!

Today's transportation is a beautiful Jeep Liberty, courtesy of Trang!

Ann and Spot aboard Traveling Soul are here at this marina!  We met them many miles ago in Portsmouth, VA.  We ran into Spot on his leash today! Garmin thought he was a very strange looking dog.

Trang gifted me the most perfect sign, my motto! And Charlie found the perfect place to hang it!

Crab Night in Deale, Maryland

We were able to greet another boat, As You Wish, from the Live Aboard Group come into port today.  We then took a Dinghy ride with Trang and Brian across the river to Skipper's Pier for Crab Night.
The food was great, dessert divine, and company fantastic!

As You Wish, with Denise and Paul Magnus aboard

Today's transportation, a lovely Boston Whaler, courtesy of Trang and Brian!

Dink'n around

Skippers Pier

Steamed crabs

I was fortunate enough to meet these great people, The Wagner's and The Tuckers! They taught this Cajun girl:  Maryland crabs are steamed not boiled.  Also, you don't use claw crackers. You use a hammer!

Also, you dip crab meat into a 'Maryland Mud' (Apple cider vinegar and Old Bay Spice)

These four awesome people went to college together at The University of Maryland where they were on the Gymnastics's team together.  Mr. Tucker is a retired commercial pilot. His wife also took pilot lessons.

Mr. and Mrs. Wagner also attended the American Great Loop Cruisers Association Rendezvous a few years back.  They are experienced sailor's and we shared stories about Fernandina Beach tidal changes. Great time meeting them!

Restaurant owner, Dave, presents Charlie with his own official Maryland Crab Hammer as a keepsake!

Since our marina was full, As You Wish had to dock at a neighboring marina. After dinner, we dinked over to tell them 'hello'!

Plane 2 Sea at port.

Sunset

Our 1st Dinner Guest Aboard Our Boat!

We spent the day tending to the boat, aka, "Maintenance Monday".  We preformed our weekly preventative maintenance and cleaning. Tonight we enjoyed having our 1st dinner guest aboard our boat!  Trang and Brian joined us for a Cajun dinner of Jambalaya.  Brian had mentioned his interest in exploring Honduras in the future, so Charlie served up some Honduran Cognac and Honduran Cigars to peek his interest more. Roatan, Honduras just happens to be one of our favorite Caribbean Islands!

Trang and Brian, our 1st Dinner guest aboard our boat!!