May 10                                   GEORGETOWN, MARYLAND

After purchasing fuel at the Baltimore Yacht Center, we were ready to begin our journey northward.  The weather could not have been better.  Winds were mild and the temperature was pleasant.  After several hours of uneventful cruising, we turned starboard into the Sassafras River.  The shores displayed the wealth of the area with large homes set on lush green yards adorned with blooming azaleas.  This area was significant during the Revolutionary War and it has been documented that George Washington did indeed on several occasions sleep in Georgetown.

The Sassafras River appeared to be a boating mecca as we passed four large, populated marinas before reaching our destination, Sassafras Harbor Marina.  We docked next to two covered sheds filled with motoryachts.  We had not seen covered slips since docking four years ago at Colonial Beach on the Potomac River.  Our expert dock hand introduced himself as Joe Smith, the owner (and probably the hardest working employee of the marina).  Joe was a trim, neat man who reminded us of Sam Ball, of Cleburne Airport and a former customer of Sentry Aircraft.  Like Sam, Joe Smith ran a “tight ship.”  His marina was immaculate and well-maintained.  Flower beds, gazebos, walkways, picnic tables and a well-stocked marine store were extra bonuses to marina residents. We would definitely add this place to our list of favorites.

Despite our resolve to eat on the boat and begin depleting some of our stocked provisions, we could not resist the ambiance and menu of The Granary, a lovely waterfront restaurant near the marina.  David dined on “gourmet nachos” but was envious of my seafood entrée, Nova Scotia mussels, large, sweet, and fantastic. We sat for a very long while enjoying the food, wine, and a beautiful Chesapeake sunset.