Dot's Way Cruising Cat: June 2023

We had a heavy rain last night which was nice to rinse off the decks. We pulled anchor in Dividing Creek and headed back out East Wye River and headed through the drawbridge at Kent Narrows off Prospect Bay. We then cruised up the scenic Chester River to Chestertown. We are the only cruising boat anchored across from the Chestertown Marina and below a drawbridge that requires 6 hours notice for opening so there really is not any commercial traffic. Two trawlers came behind us and went into the marina. There is a pretty park and public dinghy dock at the marina near the old Customs House. We picked up the tourist map as we hiked to a favorite Italian restaurant we went to when our sailboat was in Tolchester Marina. They have moved into an upscale location but they are still the best and number one restaurant. We enjoyed a late lunch of chicken parmesan and a chicken pesto with handmade noodles and sundried tomatoes and mushrooms. With a Chianti red wine and their scrumptious rolls dipped in olive oil and spices we were stuffed. We got caught in a thunderstorm heading back to the boat but we did not get drenched,

From the park overlooking the marina

A marina along the way with a boat as the Sand Bar

Impressive estate along Chester River

Birds have found the fish traps for an easy meal

Skipjack sailboat

Chesapeake Buy boat

Lighthouse at Kent Narrows

Narrow drawbridge at Kent Narrows

This morning we headed into town for breakfast at Figg's Ordinary. I had delicious avocado toast and Glenn a scrambled egg sandwich with caramelized onions and cheddar cheese. We dined outside under the umbrella as it was still a cool morning. We found the rails to trails trailhead and enjoyed the trail up and back in the shade. We found the visitor center and got all the info on the farmer's market on Saturday where they close blocks of historic High Street and July 4th fireworks shot out of Wilmer Park next to the Marina. So it sounds like we have found an enjoyable spot to spend the holiday weekend. We stopped at Play it Again Sam's for a latte and then the Chestertown Wine and Cheese Shoppe for wine tasting and to pick up a few bottles of wine and cheese and sausage. We stopped at the bakery and got a baguette and enjoyed a picnic lunch on the flying bridge in the shade and breeze.

Sultana at the marina dock

Beautiful ship

The Old Customs House and restored rowhouses

Figg's Ordinary

Yummy breakfast

Old train station and trailhead for rails to trails path

Along the pretty path

End of the trail

Another fork to follow

Golf cart path overhead

The old public schoolhouse now a government building

In the square

City Hall

Curious cat store

It was calm and cool sitting on the flybridge with our first cup of coffee before we headed into the dinghy dock. We went back to Evergrain Bakery and had a ham croissant and ginger and apricot scone followed by a huge pretzel. We stopped by the library and used their computer and did some travel research before taking the rails to trails to the other branch ending up circling by the liquor store for beer. We took the trail back to the other park by the marina and stopped in the shade of the pavilion. It turns out the marina restaurant had a fire and is now up for sale. The marina facilities are in another building across the parking lot. The Canadian wildfire smoke settled in over the water today as it is so calm. We headed back out to the library and printed out some estate paperwork to sign and then on to Bad Alfred's Distillery and Brewery for wings, wood-fired pizza, and a few local brews. The natural food store was around the corner from the winery that served tapas which sound like a good Friday night spot. The chocolate store had already closed for the night so that saved us some calories.

Tour boat docked across from the marina was cruising around stopping at park bulkhead

View from Wilmer Park across to anchorage where they will shoot off fireworks

The sign covers all seasons

President Washington stopped here

Unique swans back at the dock

On Friday, we headed ashore to the Modern Stone Aged Kitchen for a great sidewalk breakfast with a sourdough bagel sandwich sourdough ricotta cheese, and avocado toast. We took the rails to trails and then across to the Acme Grocery Store for things we needed that we wouldn't find at the Saturday farmer's market on Saturday. We had such a pleasant afternoon on the flybridge that we did not go back ashore for dinner and cooked on the boat.

The historic college campus is just blocks from the waterfront

Decorated for the July 4th holiday

Lovely front yard gardens

Self-guided historic walk matched to numbered plaques on buildings

On Saturday morning right before the farmer's market opened we had a heavy downpour. So we waited for the rain to stop before heading ashore and back to the Modern Stone Age kitchen for an omelet and fermented potatoes and sourdough bagel. The crowd had descended and the streets were filled with tourists for a spectacular market where they closed several blocks of High Street. We bought local veggies, granola from the Amish, local pork sausage, and strawberry and rhubarb pie. We took our goodies back to the boat and then wandered the art galleries and gift shops stopping at the Chocolate Shop for fudge. Glenn made a scrumptious ratatouille for dinner. The rains came again in the evening.

Beautiful flowers, veggies, crafts and more at the farmer's market

The first time we have seen Biden bumper stickers and no Trump flags

Beautiful architecture

Putting up her sails as she passed us

On Sunday morning we walked the rails to trails out past the supermarket to Beverly Diner decorated with an Elvis theme. It was the senior local diner and a great down-home breakfast. We have hit all the local breakfast spots so time to move on. We stopped at the two grocery stores just to roam and the Ace Hardware Store and then for fruit at the produce stand. We got two offers of rides as this has been the hottest day so far at 85 degrees. We swapped books at the tiny library before heading back to the boat. Yesterday we took the boat over to the marina for diesel, water, and a pump-out. We have been amazed that there is only one trawler and two sailboats who joined us in the anchorage and very little traffic in and out of the marina. The sound of fireworks went on for hours last night.

The town marina

The swans were back and not easily spooked

Sunday night we had two severe thunderstorms move through with rain but not too much wind and plenty of nearby lightning. Monday morning we headed back to Beverly's Diner for breakfast and ended up the day with over seven miles hiked. We found the Customs House locked and it looks like despite the advertisement that it is not open as a museum anymore. We took the historic home walking tour map and wandered along Water Street and to the bridge before strolling through the rest of the historic district admiring the restored homes built in the late 1700s. The Kitchen was one of the few places open on a Monday for a wonderful sidewalk lunch. Back to the boat to relax in the shade and the breeze.

Turtle joined us on the rail to trails shady path

Waiting for the wild blackberries to ripen

Butterflies fluttering about

Wildflowers flourishing along the trail

Next year's celebration of the Chestertown Tea Party

Distinctive oyster shell wreath

Pretty pastels on Queen Street

Happy Fourth of July!! We headed ashore for our last rails to trails walk to Beverly's for breakfast and to stop at Ace Hardware and Rednor's Market. I found another two little library stands and traded my books. Our dinghy engine quit at the dock and once we got our paddles out, our neighbor showed up at the dinghy dock and gave us a tow back to the boat. Glenn spent the day cleaning the carburator and hopefully, it was just water in the gas. We steamed fresh corn on the cob, green beans and new potatoes along with grilling pork country ribs. Boats started filling the anchorage for the fireworks which started at 9:15 for a spectacular 20 minute show with us having front row seats. There were two competing groups setting off pre-show sparklers and boomers. At least it was quiet after all the boats left. What a great send-off to our visit to Chestertown.