La Vida Dulce, Summer 2011

Our major cruise this year is taking two weeks in the beginning of June and heading to the southern end of the Chesapeake Bay. We'll hit Cuckold Creek on the Patuxent, St. Mary's City on the Potomac and then head down to Mill Creek on the Great Wicomico. We're planning to stay there 'till we can't stand it anymore and then we'll move across to the Eastern Shore and try out the Nanticoke and Honga Rivers. If we still have time we'll head up to the Choptank but I don't expect we'll make it that far. I'm feeling mighty lazy and really just want to hole up somewhere and read a book for a while. We have some new trolling gear and plan to dine on fresh fish as much as possible.

Since we're both still working we'll probably spend the rest of the year taking three day weekends around the Bay. Our goal is to explore every square foot of the Chesapeake over the next few years before we retire in 2014.

Couple comments on your float plan. Cuckhold Creek is a favorite of mine. If you go up past the marina (Blackstone) the speed limit is 6 mph so you will not see too many water skiers. Blackstone Marina has been less than friendly on my visit there. With regard to St Marys City. SMC is a difinite must to visit but I have found the holding in Horseshoe Bend questionable. I normally visit SMC during the day and then anchor in St Inigoes Creek for the evening. St Inigoes creek is much more protected and has good holding. Mill Creek is my get away anchorage. I live about 7 miles up river. There is a lot to do on the Great Wicomico River. Reedville, on Cockrell Creek, is an interesting town. There are two good restaurants and its home to the Reedville Fisherman's museum an easy walk from the Crazy Crab. You can catch a ferry to Tangier Island from Buzzard Point marina. There are three creeks with good anchorages on the River. Horn Harbor, Tipers Creek and Barretts Creek. There are two more for the adventours, Wharehosue creek and Cranes Creek. I'll be cruising north in the Bay in early June. Drop me a note if you have any questions about this area of the Bay

Bob, thanks for the great info. Speed limit so no water skiers...where else could you get such great information? We'll be sure to add your comments to our notes. The details that you've provided are just really great. Muchas gracias.
-Tom

Note to all members - This kind of local knowledge can add so much to a cruise. The "Groups" part of this web site is the perfect place for this kind of information sharing. It'd be great to be making plans for a trip and log in, look up the area you're going to and find info, and even pictures, all about it. I'm planning to do a short blurb about each place I go.

Inspiring plans.
Down farther south out of Deltaville, we're heading for Windmill Point Marina for Saturday night. Ordinarily, we wouldn't be caught dead in a marina on a nice weekend but they've got a good Tiki Bar and a terrific band for Memorial Day. It's possible that alcohol may be consumed so the better part of valor is to be tied to something that doesn't move. Sunday, we'll try to move up to Little Bay between Fleets Bay and Antipoison Creek (beautiful white sand beach and great holding, protected from everything but North winds). Back to the Salt Mine on Monday.
Jim Maher
Misneach
IP35-179

Jim,

We're planning to hit a marina every five days on this trip. It sounds like the Windmill point Marina might fit the bill. We were also considering going to Antipoisen Creek, mostly because of the Capt. John Smith history thing. It sounds like you have a nice weekend planned. Have a great time and thanks for the additional info on the area.

-Tom

Tom & Sheri,
Your plan is a noble one - the Chesapeake holds endless wonders! If you can, allow a day for exploring St. Mary's City. (See my post to Mike on Gratitude.) The museum's replica of the colonists' ship is fascinating! Hope you have great weather on your cruise and we'll look forward to the info you plan to share!
Radeen Cochran
IP- 35 Island Spirit