On Thursday morning, once we were sure that the motor was in
good shape, we took the lines in and left Chesapeake City, Maryland and crossed
the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal to Schaffer’s Marina where we fueled up. After topping off, we headed west out of the
canal and at last into the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay.
Once we passed the range light marking the west entrance to the canal I felt my blood pressure drop tremendously. We had been on a long trip so far, and we still had a lot of water ahead of us, but at least I was on my home water of the Chesapeake Bay. The weather was absolutely beautiful that day, and I couldn’t help but think that we really deserved it after all that we had been through over the past few days. Luckily, we left at the beginning of ebb tide which helped push us down the bay that much faster.
As we went past all of the flats in the upper
part of the bay, I couldn’t help but think about all of the stories that I read
when I was younger about the market hunters and all of the ducks that populated
this area in the past, but that will be a post for another time.
Once we passed the range light marking the west entrance to the canal I felt my blood pressure drop tremendously. We had been on a long trip so far, and we still had a lot of water ahead of us, but at least I was on my home water of the Chesapeake Bay. The weather was absolutely beautiful that day, and I couldn’t help but think that we really deserved it after all that we had been through over the past few days. Luckily, we left at the beginning of ebb tide which helped push us down the bay that much faster.
Pretty soon, we were going past many of the areas including
Aberdeen, Baltimore and the Magothy River that were familiar to me, but had never
seen by water.
Before long, we were approaching Kent Narrows and then under the Bay Bridge. We passed by Annapolis and Thomas Point Light, then on to Tilghman Island, Chesapeake Beach, Calvert Cliffs, Patuxent River and Hooper’s Island. Finally, things were starting to look more and more familiar.
Once we passed Point No Point Light I knew that we were within a couple hours of tying up in Reedville.
We continued south past Point Lookout, across the mouth of the Potomac River, past Smith Point Light and then finally we made the turn into the Great Wicomico River.
My Wife, three Sons and Mother were at the end of Fleeton Point waving to us as we went by. My wife and I had been texting and talking the entire time since we left Sag Harbor, and needless to say she and the boys were as excited for us to be home as I was to get there.
We continued into Cockrell’s Creek, past the fish factory, around the stack, past the Crazy Crab Restaurant at the end of Reedville, then up the creek to our dock. When we got to the dock, my immediate family, Mother, Uncle Dudley, and Mother -in-Law were there waiting for us.
Once we were tied
up to our dock in Fairport, Virginia my blood pressure was finally back to
normal. I knew that the long trip was
over, we made it home safe and my new boat was back where she belonged. I need to thank my Father for being the Chief
Navigator and Consultant on this trip.
Without him being on the boat, I can’t imagine that this trip would have
gone nearly as smooth as it did. I also
need to thank my Father -in-Law for being the Cook, Bartender, Photographer and
Historian on this trip.
Before long, we were approaching Kent Narrows and then under the Bay Bridge. We passed by Annapolis and Thomas Point Light, then on to Tilghman Island, Chesapeake Beach, Calvert Cliffs, Patuxent River and Hooper’s Island. Finally, things were starting to look more and more familiar.
Once we passed Point No Point Light I knew that we were within a couple hours of tying up in Reedville.
We continued south past Point Lookout, across the mouth of the Potomac River, past Smith Point Light and then finally we made the turn into the Great Wicomico River.
My Wife, three Sons and Mother were at the end of Fleeton Point waving to us as we went by. My wife and I had been texting and talking the entire time since we left Sag Harbor, and needless to say she and the boys were as excited for us to be home as I was to get there.
We continued into Cockrell’s Creek, past the fish factory, around the stack, past the Crazy Crab Restaurant at the end of Reedville, then up the creek to our dock. When we got to the dock, my immediate family, Mother, Uncle Dudley, and Mother -in-Law were there waiting for us.
Over the next few
weeks, the appearance of a new boat in the creek stirred a lot of
interest. I received many emails, texts
and calls from people who remembered the boat when she was in the area ten
years ago. Many people indicated that they were glad to have the boat home and
wishing me the best in my new endeavor. Needless
to say, I was glad to hear the compliments and well wishes, they helped to make
me feel much better about the big step that I have taken.
Now that the boat is here, documented, name changed to Three Sons, and permits purchased it is time to go fishing!
Now that the boat is here, documented, name changed to Three Sons, and permits purchased it is time to go fishing!
Luckily, I have been able to book a good number of trips for this fall Rock Fish season so far, but I still do have some great weekend dates available. If you are looking to have a great day out on the Chesapeake Bay between now and December 31st, please consider fishing with Southern Tide Guide Service. I would love to have the opportunity to fish with you.
Thank you for taking time to read this post. Please return often, we will have many more
posts coming soon.
Take care,
Joe
Joe
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