On to Mobjack Bay

On to Mobjack Bay

Saturday May 15, 2021

We departed Kiptopeke at about 9 am and sailed motored across the Chesapeake in a northwesterly direction.  Our objective was Mobjack Bay.  On the way, we encountered seven or eight very large ships anchored in the middle of the Chesapeake.  No day on the water is complete without encountering a barge and tug combo, so naturally, we saw one of these also (from a distance that didn’t prompt Mike to get the camera out!).  The sky was virtually cloudless and the winds were very light.

After about 3 hours, we entered Mobjack Bay and carried on into the Severn River.  By 1pm we were anchored and thinking about lunch.  After a light lunch, we got the engine on the dinghy and went to shore.  The town dock is a fixed pier at a substantial height above the water (with no ladder).  I had to be dropped at the boat launch because I couldn’t climb up the piling.  It was all a bit of a faff but we got there in the end.  We had a decently long walk, saw more bluebirds than I’ve ever seen in one afternoon.  We were lucky enough to see a few Northern Bobwhites and a Scarlet Tanager, two more for the bird list.  

The area seems to have been largely agricultural in the past.  There are still some parcels that are being farmed but overall my impression is that the area is turning into a suburban residential area.  We met a woman out riding a horse and asked some directions for getting down to the marsh area that we can see from the boat.  She advised that it was quite a long walk but we went in that direction for a while and then turned back.  On the way back, that same person (who’s name is Sue) was out in her yard and we had a chat with her.  Sue lives in a condo somewhere about 40 minutes away.  This ten-acre parcel is her “refuge”. One portion of the land is leased to a local farmer who will plant corn soon. On the other portion, Sue has converted a shed into what might be considered a “tiny house” which is quite lovely inside. A few other structures provide storage. She has bird feeders and provides water for the birds.  She has really made a haven out of a small parcel that had some derelict buildings when she bought it. It was clear to see how much she enjoyed the place and was proud of what she had accomplished.

Gloria

37 19.613 N, 76 26.620 W

Kiptopeke State Park - The Peregrine Falcon Boardwalk (a photo from yesterdays walk, split tone B&W)

One final sunset before we left Kiptopeke

We were ready to raise our main sail but there never came a time when the wind blew more than 5 knots!

Making our way through the anchorage for massive ships - this one working on an abandon ship exercise with the same type of life raft used by "Captain Philips"

Another of the huge cargo ships we passed today

Edyth Mary Block (1935 - 2019) Today would have been my mum's 86th Birthday. This shot taken in Nova Scotia in 2005. She was a wonderful person, a great mother and friend. we really miss her.