Have-er de Grace

Have-er de Grace

Immediately on exiting the C & D canal, we took a right turn and headed back north up to the mouth of the Susquehanna River for a few nights in Havre de Grace – please not the French pronunciation!  This gem sports hundreds of buildings on the historic register with a well preserved city center, yet has updated itself and offers all the amenities of the 21^st century a short distance from the dock.  Of course, it didn't hurt that the marina loaned us a van to easily run those errands in neighboring towns with West Marine, Home Depot, and Wal Mart.  However, the town of Havre de Grace has plenty to make it attractive without venturing far or into modern commercialism.  The antique mall in the converted cannery offers an interesting building as well as a multitude of vintage treasures to admire.  Fortunately life on a boat limits purchases in such places.  So, we also visited the Concord Point Lighthouse where John O’Neil, and several of his descendants, served as light keeper.  He was the only holdout when the British attacked the town in May 1813 and though captured, he was released due to the intersession of his brave daughter. It seems only right that he and his family should enjoy the reward of keeping the light burning in this petite lighthouse.

Havre de Grace and the surrounding area has also been home to many legendary decoy carvers and as a result, there is an impressive decoy museum.  Some of the displays were more like a wax museum as the decoys were arranged around life size models of the famous carvers. Nevertheless, Julia got knowed up on how decoys were used, carved and painted. Steve rested his eyes on a shady park bench!

Also, we have to mention the Bomboy Ice Cream and Candy shop is very handy to the marina and open until 8 PM for late night snacks.  The Laurrapin Grill was in deed tasty as the name apparently means in Appalachian slang. While the farmer’s market was small, it did offer choice organic veggies, meats and cheeses plus a hot breakfast sandwich that disappeared before samples were snatched. All in all, Havre de Grace is an easy place to while away a few days before pushing on down the bay.