It was bright, sunny, warm but not too hot as we readied to depart Annapolis. Water traffic in and around the marinas was very heavy due in large part to Presidential candidate McCain’s visit to the Academy later in the morning. Boats of all sizes, both power and sail, were circling the mooring ball field like buzzards ready to pounce on the next mooring ball to become available. As the Academy was that weekend hosting a home football game, the 50th reunion of the Class of ’58 and Senator McCain (as a member of that graduating class), the cadets were proudly displaying their skills as soon to be naval officers. Everywhere we turned on the waterway was evidence of their naval leadership. Several miles out from port both a warship and a submarine were anchored and we watched as groups of cadets and their guests were ferried to both vessels for tours. An interesting side note: the warship (#60) is the same ship that we encountered returning to Norfolk from manuveurs as we were exiting Norfolk.
Also located just outside of Annapolis is another interesting anchorage. This location is where ocean going vessels temporarily anchor for either minor repairs or crew shore leave. We had never seen anything like this before and found it very interesting to think of such large ships “anchoring out” in somewhat the same way as the Lolligag does…
The day was about a perfect a day as one could ask for – the seas were calm, the weather wonderful and the crossing from one side of the Bay to the other was truly delightful. From Annapolis to St Michael’s we travelled diagonally from the western shore southeast across the Chesapeake Bay.
It was our intention to anchor out in a secluded and sheltered cove in St Michael’s, Maryland. Upon reaching the area, we found that we were hardly the only boaters with this goal in mind. It was after all a perfect weather weekend for boating, one of the last weekends available for many boaters who store their boats over the winter and St Michael’s is a popular venue at all times. So we were unable to find a spot to anchor in the sheltered cove and instead found a location just outside the entrance of the harbor to toss the anchor. Soon the area around our location was full with at least twenty boats of all kinds and sizes at anchor. We soon heard on the radio that all of the slips within the St Michael’s harbor system were taken for the weekend. Slips in this harbor system are the most expensive that we have encountered thus far on this trip at $3.50 per foot plus an electric surcharge. This would mean that in order for us to stay in a marina, the cost per night for the Lolligag would be in the area of $112, plus tax, plus electric = way too much money. However, what is really neat about many locations in Maryland and certainly St Michael’s, is that there is a dinghy dock that is conveniently located and secure for quick and easy trips into town. 
We arrived in the early evening hours and since it was a long day, we decided to stay put aboard the Lolligag for the time being; enjoy dinner, a glass of wine, the beautiful sunset and to wander St Michael’s in the morning. Hours on the water: 4
Nautical miles traveled: 28
Number of bridges to be opened: 0
Time spent waiting at bridge: 0
Next Destination: Back to Solomon's Island for Trawler Fest
What we're listening to: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
What we watched: Naval Academy Cadets display their skills
Lesson for the day: This was a perfect day
Obligatory knitting report: Mittens for the Wunder Kids
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