Hoping through the Chesapeake to Delaware

Hoping through the Chesapeake to Delaware

From Tangier we made a dash for Solomons, MD to take our Princess Annie to the vet – we were hoping it was just a precaution since all her symptoms seemed to have disappeared when we made the appointment.  She also has reverted to her hissy self and vocally let us know SHE did not appreciate the treatment received at the clinic.  Even though Princess A was displeased with the pokes and jabs, we were relieved to hear her blood work revealed nothing major amiss other than a slightly elevated calcium level….. which must account for her sour mood?  

From Solomons we tootled on north with a stop at Galesville on the West River – this lovely spot had a secure anchorage and city dock for a walk through the quiet town on a sunny mild afternoon. Have to mention the Heavy Seas Peg Leg Stout I enjoyed at Thursdays on the River. This town may be small but they stock some fine brews and good eats at the local restaurants!

We skipped our planned stop in Rock Hall for and anchorage in Still Pond to make it to Chesapeake City before the expected heavy rains. Our start was also delayed by a foggy – very low cloud – morning. 

Again the next morning we were greeted by fog and the announcement that the C & D (Chesapeake and Delaware) canal was closed to traffic. As the fog cleared we moved toward the canal and were finally cleared to proceed to Chesapeake City just before the canal opened to the big boys. Since this visit was on a weekday we were able to tour the C & D canal museum on the US Army Corp of Engineers compound. This gem is housed in a vintage pump house in use from 1851 to 1927 with the original steam pumps and wooden water wheel used to maintain the water level in the canal. When the canal was widened and deepened the equipment was no longer needed but fortunately it has been maintained as part of a museum on the history of the canal. This canal links the Delaware River about 40 miles south of Philadelphia with the northern reaches of the Chesapeake Bay shortening the distance between Philly and Baltimore by 300 miles. In the museum we enjoyed exploring the black pumps which are massive yet also elegant with fluted columns and polished brass trim – beautiful marvels of the early industrial age. Today sitting in this harbor we watch modern marvels like the car carriers and container ships glide by taking this short cut between Philadelphia and Baltimore. More than 20,000 ocean going ships transit this canal annually making for entertainment at our dock on the canal.  Especially interesting is the exchange of pilots from the auto carriers which just clear the 130+ foot bridge dwarfing the historic homes in town. The pilot tugs pull alongside the carriers and the pilots climb up or down a hanging ladder. Definitely not my ideal job!   Our next stop is Delaware City on our way to Philadelphia.

For views of this quaint town, check last year's entry........