Historic St. Mary’s City
After glorious sunny days in DC, we
left at first light in a drizzle that did not let up until after we anchored at
Chapel Point. This peaceful spot just off the Potomac on Port Tobacco Creek did
indeed house a chapel that serenaded us on the ¾ hour and included four
resident bald eagles. We woke to more rain and dense fog resulting in a
mid-morning departure. The low clouds
and “mist” continued all day giving our radar a good work out. We finally
dropped anchor in horseshoe bend on the St. Mary’s river late afternoon in time
to watch 10 boats from St. Mary’s College sailing class go through their
paces. We hunkered down in the mist and
admired their fortitude.
Morning dawned bright and almost
clear with lots of sunshine to cheer our tour of the living museum at St.
Mary’s City. This is the site of the first English settlement in Maryland, and
its first capitol. While no original buildings remain several have been
reconstructed and based on archeological work, the town plan has been plotted.
Exhibits include costumed docents who elaborate on the life of early settlers.
The displays are very hands on compared to most museums where everything is
roped off and nothing can be touched or approached. We could understand why we spent the day
dodging six busloads of school children.
It was never a problem since this park is spread over more than 800
acres and is shared with the St Mary’s College of Maryland. Just to complete
our cultural experience we had lunch in the college cafeteria with some of the
2000 honor students who were enjoying a “reading day” before they begin final
exams.
The high point for us was a visit to
the Maryland Dove. This is a reconstruction of one of the ships sent to
establish the colony by Lord Baltimore. The “period captain” was enthusiastic
about his ship and knowledgeable on all things nautical. He was most agreeable when he discovered we
were the “ship” that was anchored across the way. Although the Dove is a lovely
girl, her quarters are less spacious and much darker than ours. We are not
ready to trade for sails just yet.
A few notes on the Erben Renewal –
the painting of the bright work is complete – for now, says the Captain. I
think this is one of the never ending jobs, but he did finally remove the blue
tape! Also, we’ve had some dink excitement. Yesterday she escaped and Steve had
to dive in and rescue her. As punishment she is being towed. Well, actually she
is being towed because the winch is on the fritz – it needs a new widget (more
boat jewelry). All of this was diagnosed by PSE with help from the manufacturer
who sent drawings for our elderly winch or is she a wench? Let’s hope those
parts arrive before the dink makes her permanent escape.
Then we have had gremlins in the
fresh water system. The pump she works when SHE feels like it. Both the
original and the spare – so the pump herself does not seem to be the problem –
another mystery to keep Steve busy, frustrated, and entertained?
No comments:
Post a Comment