Annapolis - Boats, boats and more boats

As we left Soloman the race boats were heading out for the day, it was great to see so many enthusiastic sailors.

Following the race boats

Getting ready to race!

Lucky for us and the race we had some unexpected wind, so off went the engine, it was not nice to be sailing again even if it WS only very slow. With stronger winds up to 20 knots forecast for the next day we decided to continue at snails pace but keep our journey short. We made our first stop on the east coast of the Bay, at Little Choptank.

The bizarre structures you sea in the Bay! We are still not sure what this was

Islands in the middle of the Bay

Next day we had our best day of sailing since arriving in US, we had 12-15 knots constantly and although sailing in and out of the mud banks is a little challenging we had a wonderful sail.  Our destination was a small creek off South River which is just south of Annapolis. As we crept into the creek we closely looked at the charts and headed for the middle of the 2 channel markers. Then disaster struck, Magnum came to a slow muddy stop! Immediately we went into reverse, no that was not going to work, we pulled out the head sail to gain some heal but with 15+ knots this only really drove us forward. So we launched the dingy and took our second anchor astern, where Mark dropped and Amanda set about winching us backwards, again no success. A small power boat with a family who had been anchored in the creek and were leaving approached us, could they help? We hoped so. We tied a line off on the rear cleat and threw this to them, after several attempts they had the line tied off, not easy when they were trying to avoid Magnum and the 2nd anchor line which was still in the water. They pulled for what seemed like a lifetime with no movement and then suddenly we were free, fantastic. We were off and they were on their way home, we did not even have a chance to give them a bottle of wine. Next job was to recover the anchor but before we knew it the line was around the rudder, so we dropped anchor and Mark went in to free the line, with that done Mark took the dingy out to recover the anchor, next challenge as it was stuck!  No amount of motoring with daisy dingy would shift it, so Mark tied off a buoy, we then had to up anchor and edge over there with Magnum, Mark hooked the bouy from the bow and Amanda motored astern and we had success. 
Amazing how our small fortress anchor holds in mud, it weighs nothing but when its dug in it takes a lot if force to shift it, fantastic bit of kit.

We tried again at entering the creek, thankfully this time we made it and were pleased when we could relax with a beer!

Mark under the water searching for the anchor but not even being able to see his hand in front of his face!

The Ospreys with baby in the nest were almost as stressed as us about us being so close

Harness Creek was actually a really lovely it anchorage, one side is private properties but the other is Quiet Waters park which had a public dingy dock attached to a water sports centre. We could easily gain access to the park for a morning run and with our bikes we could cycle into Annapolis, whilst still having a beautiful sheltered anchorage at night.

Beautiful and peaceful Harness Creek

Annapolis is a very pretty town and a sailing hub, it was a settlement as early as the 1600 but was not named Annapolis until 1702, after Princess Anne who later became Queen of England. The State House in Annapolis served as the US capitol building for a short period and was also where the Treaty of Paris was signed which ended the American Revolution.

The State House

The old town and main street are lined with quaint bars, restaurants, shops and ice cream parlours, it is very much a tourist resort, we visited on a weekday and it was nearly as busy as a Saturday when it is packed with people and boats.

Main Street running down to the waterfront

One of the beautiful old houses which like the streets around the main street

Pretty houses and beautifully maintained

Annapolis also has a significant Naval presence, the Naval Academy was established in 1845 with 50 students in 10 acres, it now 338 acres with around 4500 midshipmen. They open the academy to the public, with all the grounds accessibly and a few of the building.  We first headed to see their race boats which were all immaculately maintained.

As it was summer break the student activity was limited but there were some students and you would here them before you see them.

Midshipmen marching outside Bancroft Hall which is the memorial hall and dormitory - we assumed these were all very new recruits as very young

The memorial hall was really impressive with the wall inscribed with midshipmen who had graduated from the academy and had been killed whilst in service.

Bancroft Hall

Entrance to the Memorial Hall

Entrance

The Memorial Hall

Annapolis is a big boaty destination and all along the water front there are either marinas or private slips.

Spa Creek Annapolis - view from bridge crossing the river

Spa Creek Annaplois - view the other way from bridge

Spa Creek

Busy mooring field in distance in Spa Creek

We said goodbye to the lovely Harness Creek and Quiet Water Park and headed back into South River and to Crab Creek.

Saying goodbye to Harness Creek

We were visiting Crab Creek to see the Port Officer for the Ocean Cruising Club, after recently becoming members we wanted to try to take advantage of the Port Officers local knowledge.  Crab Creek is marked as private on the chart so other than 1 boat on a mooring buoy and the boats on private slips at the end of gardens we had the place to ourselves.  It was secluded, sheltered and surround some beautiful properties.  Wolfgang the Port Officer lived in a lovely house overlooking the river and made us feel more than welcome, providing maps and advice on the normal boat bits and pieces but also sharing some of his interesting life stories J We spent a few days here either rushing around to boaty shops or enjoying the beautiful surroundings.

The beautiful crab creek

Crab Creek and Wolfgangs boats on his slip in distance 

One of our neighbours beautiful properties - looked big enough to be a hotel!

Magnum at anchor in Crab Creek