June 11, Day 351 – St. Michaels to Annapolis

Linda was up early this morning and took a few pictures of the beautiful sunrise. Gorgeous!! Gerry also witnessed the sunrise (but by looking at the pictures). We raised anchor and headed out at 8:00. We’re pretty much on the home stretch now. As we left the Eastern Bay and entered the main part of the Chesapeake we could see the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Wow, unbelievable that we’ve been gone a year (minus a day or two).

We had a very pleasant cruise to Annapolis, first passing Bloody Point Light and then Thomas Point Light. Then it was on to Annapolis Harbor where we picked up a mooring ball. As we entered the harbor, we made sure we stayed to the south – therefore not quite crossing our wake. That will happen tomorrow as we pass by the Naval Academy and head up the Severn River (we are approximately 500 yards from crossing). After that, we have 8 miles back up the Severn River to Plum Creek – our final destination.

After securing a mooring ball, we picked up Michel and Carole in the dinghy, headed up Ego Alley and docked at the dinghy dock in the public square. Since it was afternoon, the first order of business was lunch. We stopped at Maria’s Sicilian Ristorante where we had a wonderful meal. Everyone gave it high marks. Next we explored the main streets of Annapolis (we pretended like we were tourists) where we took lots of pictures and browsed through many of the shops. We went to Pusser’s for happy hour and had one of their famous painkillers. Then we explored Spa Creek by dinghy showing Michel and Carole just how many boats are in the area.

Back at the boat we got a phone call from our friends, Jim and Karen, letting us know they were on their way down the river to join us. They had checked our spot tracker and saw we were in the Annapolis Harbor. We picked up Michel and Carole and we all dinghied over to their boat to visit awhile. They made plans to come back down the river in the morning for a “group” breakfast.

We parted company and went back to the boat where we enjoyed the sights and sounds of Annapolis Harbor at night. Then it was off to bed.

A beautiful sunrise with a sailboat already heading out

Another shot of the sunrise at it started to get lighter

Departing St. Michaels with Emotion III behind us

We passed by Bloody Point Light as we headed back into the Chesapeake

In the distance, we could just barely make out the Cheaspeake Bay Bridge

We passed by Thomas Point Light. This is one of the most photographed lighthouses on the Bay.

Entering the Annapolis Harbor -- almost home. That's the Capitol Building you can see to the right.

We immediately saw another Monk (on the left) and a pirate ship

Emotion III grabbing a mooring

The Capitol Building and city dock -- a very busy place, even on a weekday

Here's the gang (Michel, Carole, Gerry and Linda) sitting on the steps of an alley with the Capitol Building peaking through in the background

Looking down main street towards Annapolis Harbor

The U.S. flag and the Capitol in the background

This way to Happy Hour !!!

Monk's Vineyard and Emotion III in the mooring field

The flower baskets hanging from the Compromise Bridge over Spa Creek

Our friends arriving on their Cape Dory

Karen (on the right) and Donna and George

Ego Alley at twilight -- lots of action. It's a very small channel but there were some huge boats parked down at the other end.

A shot of the mooring field with the Naval Academy in the background