On the Water with As You Wish: May 15, 2019 Crisfield, MD to Solomons MD

May 15, 2019

I’ll be honest, Crisfield was a bust. It has a really nice big marina in a very protected harbor which came in handy late yesterday afternoon and overnight when 25-30kt winds blew in. But overall, it just wasn’t worth the trip. So today with a much improving forecast we set sail for Solomons, MD which is one of our favorite small towns on the bay. We finally fired up the engine at 9am for a late start to give the winds and waves a bit of time to lay down. Out the harbor past the “skeleton light” which is all that remains of an old-style Chesapeake lighthouse. Then past the smokestack of the old menhaden processing plant – shut down in the 30’s when menhaden fishing was outlawed in MD and it moved to VA. The plant later burned down and all that’s left is the chimney on this isolated island. Up Tangier Sound and through Kedges Strait past Solomons Lump Light then across the open bay and up the Patuxent River to Solomons.

Skeleton light with smoke stack on island in distance

Remains of old menhaden processing plant

Solomons Lump Lighthouse

The military has a significant presence at Patuxent Naval Air Base across the river from Solomons. We were reminded of it as we approached and saw some old ships mid bay used for target practice and then saw a variety of aircraft taking off and landing at the base. Coming closer to the harbor a helicopter was performing a maneuver where it would come as close to landing in the water without actually touching.

Old warships now used for target practice

Helicopter hovering just above the water

It was a day made for boating as the sun was out warming things into the upper 60’s and the wave action was moderate to almost calm at times. Plus, we had the current to our stern giving an extra little .5 knot push. We had stayed in Solomons for 2 months last year and made friends with Doug Smith the AGLCA Harbor Host here. He helped arrange for us to tie up at the Solomons Island Yacht Club for the next 2 nights. Perfect timing as we arrived for Taco night at the club. $8 for all you can eat tacos plus hot fudge sundays for dessert. Our first 2 drinks were free and then just $2 for beers. We know of several good restaurants in town for crabcakes but they’ll just have to wait until tomorrow.

Perfect day out on the water with fellow loopers

Solomons Island Yacht Club was used as the Officers Club for Patuxent Naval Base during WWII

Since most loopers have been holed up due to the bad weather at various locations in the lower bay everyone apparently took advantage of todays improved forecast to head to Solomoms. We’re showing at least a dozen loopers at various marinas in the harbor and 3 others right here. I guess we’ll put the dingy overboard tomorrow and go visiting.