It had been 38 years since my last trip to the sleepy waterfront village of St. Michaels, yet its sweet harbor filled with all kinds of wonderful sailing yachts and powerboats was fresh in my mind.
A Peaceful scene
It was easy to remember the elegance of the Inn at Perry Cabin. The Inn now offers a large Hinckley Picnic Boat and Alerion Sailboats for guests to enjoy the waters of St Michaels.
A schooner. Pure Romance.
Can you imagine the thrill and the sense of peace under sail exploring all the islets and tiny islands around St. Micheals? I can. I was indeed a very fortunate young woman in 1980, sailing my 30' sloop, Kahuna, over these smooth waters.
Can you imagine the thrill and the sense of peace under sail exploring all the islets and tiny islands around St. Micheals? I can. I was indeed a very fortunate young woman in 1980, sailing my 30' sloop, Kahuna, over these smooth waters.
There has been some changes at St. Michaels overs the years, but it has not lost an iota of charm. Parking a car on the weekend was a bit of a challenge, and while I preferred entering the harbor by sail, as I did nearly four decades ago, I was very glad I returned. There's not a lot of spots I have traveled to that evoke the original romance I felt upon a virgin visit, but St. Michaels did not disappoint, and I was happy to share it with Darrell.
Chesapeake Bay Lighthouses are a treasured memory.
These beautiful historic beacons of light dot the Chesapeake to safely guide boaters into often shallow waters. Most were built in the 1800's, but a couple were added at the turn of the twentieth century. The Museum has models that allow visitors to walk through the light keeper's quarters. Life in the lighthouse could be dangerous and cold, and often lonely. The lighthouse keepers did not have time to become bored. Regardless of weather, the oil lamps that provided light required constant attention. The lenses that magnified had to be continually polished, the lighthouse had to be painted and in good repair for regular inspections.
The colorful figurehead below, carved by the US Naval Academy in 2012 welcomes visitors to the Maritime Museum.
The colorful figurehead below, carved by the US Naval Academy in 2012 welcomes visitors to the Maritime Museum.
St. Michael's is rich with history, and it has been well recorded at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. While we both really enjoyed the Annapolis Boat Show that had brought us to the East Coast, this spot was the BEST part of our trip. Anyone who loves classic wooden boats as much as Darrell and I, should make this trip. (As long as your on the east coast, you might as well go to Mystic Connecticut too!).
In the distance, beyond "Delaware, we could see, perhaps a hundred or more, fine wooden day sailers. Upon closer inspection, we learned we had picked a popular weekend to visit the Maritime Museum. We lucked out that there was a BIG hoedown for wooden boat builders to show off their craft and compete in sailing races. These folks spent many long winter days in their garages or workshops carving out their crafts from single logs! These sailing builders camped out on the lawn in tents to share stories of boat building, festive music, and good food. I'm pretty sure the beer flowed.
Those sails require muscle to lift.
The boat builders were a really friendly and knowledgeable group.
Quite a beautiful sight.
Precious wooden boats tugging on their lines ready to prove themselves against the wind.
All shapes, and sizes, and colors, and all executed with fine craftsmanship.
Ready to Go!
Each one loved, and unique.
Imagine the feeling of joy and accomplishment.
Are any of the builders thinking of the next boat to craft?
Are any of the builders thinking of the next boat to craft?
The builders told us that they often use one solid log for the hull, and it can take up to 6 winters to make their dreamboat come to life.
A blackboard in the Museum's communal shed.
A man who works with his hands is a laborer. A man who works with his hands, and his brain is a craftsman. A man who works with his hands, his brain, and his heart is an artist.
A true labor of love.
My favorite.
Darrell's favorite was the original first pleasure craft.
Shamefully, I can not remember the year it was built.
Believe or not, after we had almost had enough boats, we decided to wander around the neighborhood of St. Micheals. Charming. Oh So Charming! Boats anchored in front of old stately homes standing on seemingly miles of green manicured lawns. A wonderful little marina, with a restaurant filled with lots of happy boaters and other dreamers. I'm already plotting my return.
C H A R M I N G !
Home Sweet Home.
Happy to be Serial Boat Owners.
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