"Labor Day Cruise 2007" Crisfield Travelogue by grandmaR

There was almost no wind, so Bob didn't even attempt to pull out the sails.

Boat leaving Crisfield

We were in sight of the Jane's Island Light by about 8:50 and were passing the spider outside of Crisfield (which has warning signs on it) by 10:20. It is no longer difficult to find the entrance to the Crisfield harbor because there is a huge condominium right on the north side of the entrance. As we came in, I could see that there was a fair set up on the grounds between the museum and the marina office with a Ferris wheel and others of those type rides.

I called the marina on the radio, and they said we'd be on half of the Delta T. I couldn't figure out what that meant, but it was D dock on the T head. We got tied up and I went up and paid. Bob bought ice. I expected that he'd come back for me and we would go to lunch, but he though I would come back to the boat before we went to lunch. I was still having trouble walking and didn't want to walk any more than necessary. Especially since the Fair had erected chain link fence. Our only access to the marina is either through the main gate or the pedestrian gate over by the museum.

Entrance to the harbor

The reason for all the activity is that the 60th running of the hard crab races was on Saturday, plus there were concerts and other celebrations.

The forecast had been for thunderstorms on Thursday when the front went through, and I thought if there were thunderstorms that Crisfield would be a good place to be - it is sheltered in the marina.

Marina pool

Eventually I did walk back to the boat, and we walked out the museum entrance and went to the Waterman's Inn which was the closest to that gate. I had a spinach, egg and bacon salad ($9.95), and Bob had a bowl of cream of crab soup. After I hobbled back to the marina, I went for a nice swim. I lay in the shade and the wind made it almost cold while I dried off.

I tried to call Reedville Marina again and this time called the referral number (the restaurant wasn't open until 5) and got an answering machine. So while I had service I called Onancock and asked if we could stay another day, and then called the other marina in Reedville for Sunday night. They said their restaurant there closed about 3. Bummer - don't know if we will get there by then.

Placemat at the Cove restaurant

We started to walk out to the Cove Restaurant (through the main gate) about 5:15. We both had a non-alcoholic Ole Island Pina Colada ($3.99). Then I had a prime rib sandwich ($10.99) and Bob had a crabcake sandwich ($9.99). He said it was the best crab cake he's ever eaten. Both of us had fruit for the side and neither of us ate the bread of the sandwich. I had a Kid's Ice Cream Sundae for dessert ($1.99) and Bob had Chocolate Beyond Reason ($5.99) which was three layers of chocolate and caramel cake filled with chocolate mousse and finished with chocolate butter icing.

We finished dinner about 6:15, just after a LARGE party came in to eat. I expected them to make it noisy, but they didn't. I've decided that there is an Eastern Shore dialect which I find very hard to understand. I can hear them fine, but don't understand but about one word in five. Maybe I am just getting deafer.

Ferris wheel lights reflected in the marina

After dinner, I took the computer up to try to log in on the dial up
modem. After several attempt to find a local number (unsuccessful), I
finally used the 800#. It was very slow and I wanted to find
additional local numbers, but I couldn't even get to that page of the
website. While I was there a policeman came in and asked if I had
called to complain about trespassers. I said no. He said that Susan,
the manager had called. I said that no I wasn't Susan, and that maybe
she was in the office. I heard him outside talking to Susan, and I
guess that the complain was something to do with the carnival workers.

A couple came in and so I got off the phone and let them have it, but
I talked to them some, and then went back to the boat. I was gone
long enough that Bob had a chance to watch 'his' TV shows without me
there to complain.

The marina, which was almost completely empty when we got there on
Thursday morning, was about half full by Thursday night.

Restaurant with outside seating

Again Bob was up and about early - impatient to be off. He poured a glass of cranberry juice for me and left it in the cockpit.

He told me to hold the spring line to the piling while he took the rest of the lines off, and this time after he got back aboard (unlike in Tangier), I managed to pull the line off the piling without having it get caught. We were motoring out by 7:40.

I knew he would want me to come back and steer so he could stow the lines, but I wanted to take pictures as we left, so I sat on the deck and ignored him for the 10+ minutes it took to motor out of the harbor. As we passed the condo, I looked up and saw an old lady in her nightgown at the window. I was chicken to take her picture (although I wanted to).

Bob sitting behind the wheel

The people using the computer last night asked if we were going to take the shortcut to Pocomoke Sound through Broad Creek, but we were not, as I think it is too shallow for us and I don't think it would save us any time - especially if we ran aground.

I had the radio on and mostly what was on it was Somers Cove Marina. I heard one exchange that went like this

Boater - This is (name) and I have a reservation for tonight
SCM - Capn could you repeat the name of your vessel and what is your
location?
Boater - I just bought this boat and haven't put a name on it yet and
I don't know where the hell I am.

We sailed briefly for a little bit on our way to Onancock