St. Michael – Exhale on the Water

Her state flower is beautiful!

Maryland State Flower – Black Eyed Susan

With a total area of 12,407 square miles, Maryland is the ninth-smallest state by land area.

For Tyler: Ohio is almost 4 times the size of Maryland, at 44,826 square miles. Let’s also compare Maryland to my home state, Alaska, which measures in at 665,384 square miles or 54 times bigger than Maryland! How does your home state measure up? Click here

Annapolis Regatta

Annapolis is well known for Spectacular Sailboats! These are for Gail B.

Wye River, Maryland

Thank you again to Bob and Susan Jellen for introducing us to their oasis, Wye River. We anchored out near their home with Tonto’s Reward; it was their first big journey on their new boat.

In the early morning we were surrounded by fog, the perfect fishing conditions for this hearty waterman.

SFYC minyan! Orchestrated by the Jellens, we had a fabulous dinner at the Fisherman’s Inn in Kent Narrows.

10 friends from Southwest Florida Yacht Club (SFYC) gathered together for dinner – clockwise from the bottom – Susan Jellen, Laura Magers, Patty Letzler, Patrick Magers, David Bernstein, Bob Jellen, Tom Letzler, Rick Ginsburg, Mary S, and Gail Bernstein.

A proper Maryland Crab Feast

Bob and Susan Jellen generously included all 10 of us in their annual crab feast at their home on Wye River. Buttercup appeared to be the guest of honor – spoiled with the best chair in the house.

We relaxed poolside at the Jellen’s – it was time for the BIG bottles of wine :-)

Left to right, poolside gathering – Bob Jellen, Susan Jellen, Patrick and Laura Magers, Patty and Tom Letzler.

Susan shared her technique to crack and pick whole crabs. It doesn’t get any fresher than this!

Not pictured: Fresh Shrimp, Grilled Alaskan Reindeer Sausage (provided by Capt. Rick – from Costco in Anchorage, AK, thanks Finny), and LOTS of paper towels.

Really Sorry, the video of Susan was too big to upload, although not as fun, here’s a page from the Annapolis tourist guide with similar instructions (thanks Jamie and David).

Old Bay is the BEST seasoning on crabs and shrimp. Note to novice pickers – although it’s very, very messy, it’s sooo worth it!

After a perfect evening of amazing food and great friends here’s a view of the Queenstown Clouds – reflecting on the water at our Wye River anchorage.

From the anchorage back to the Jellen’s home, time for a Dinghy Ride on Inhale with the Bernsteins. Buttercup is sitting pretty!

Wye River Lighthouse – sharing the beauty.

Visitors on Board – Hendry Celebration

We went back to Annapolis, again. This time it was to meet up with Jamie, David, and grandson Tyler who drove from Cleveland, Ohio to Annapolis to climb on board for a long weekend. Tyler is 9 years old. Grandpa Rick let him steer the boat with his big feet.

In St. Michael’s those big feet found the original Watermen Boots, as well as Grandpa Rick’s favorite reclining chair.

Tyler also found the Penguin Mascot – nothing like a fluffy pirate companion.

Tyler and David discovered a blue crab near the boat, which David swooped up in a net.

A few days later they caught two more. For the trained eye, yes, the top crab is a female! All of the crabs were to puny to cook and eat. Catch and Release.

Tyler really liked the breeze on the fly bridge – it felt like he could fly.

Along the water way we spotted Navy Yard Patrol 686. Used for midshipmen’s training, this vessel was outfitted for oceanographic research.

More Maryland: Closing with an easy listening moment for Ray Houle – written and performed by Vonda Shepard for Ally McBeal – video “Maryland” Take the time to listen, it’s sweet.

Celebrating Milestones – Birthdays: August 19, Alisha Silverstein and Julia Goral; Anniversary: August 19, Danielle and Sandra; August 21, Tom Turke; August 23, Matt Jackson; August 24, Patrick Magers.

Next Up: Exhale is docked in Annapolis until August 24. If you are in the neighborhood, please visit!!

Joseph Christian Chestnut is the weiner king of Nathan’s Hot Dogs, again!

On Friday, July 4, Chestnut, 41, scarfed down 70.5 hot dogs [with buns] during the annual Coney Island Mustard Belt, winning for a record 17th time. The feat was close but not close enough to beat his own record of 76 franks set in 2021.

For me, the thought of eating even one dog is a barf moment in my book, but hey, Joey is fun to celebrate, he’s famous without a scandal!!

4th of July trivia [according to wallethub.com]: 150 million hot dogs are consumed each July 4^th. With or without ketchup!

St. Michaels, Maryland

We ventured to St. Michaels for the long weekend, docked in tandem with Tonto’s Reward at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. The marina is at the edge of the very walkable town.

Traveling buddies, Exhale and Tonto’s Reward

St. Michael’s Parish

Are you wondering, was the church named first or the town? Originally a trading post for tobacco farmers and fur traders, the church was founded in 1672; so, yes the town is named after the parish :-)

We were surrounded by blue skies,

and colorful flowers.

Fun facts on the 4th of July:

Authorized by Congress [remember when that was a thing…], 1777 was the first year fireworks were used in an official Fourth of July celebration {marking the one-year anniversary}. China is credited with the invention of fireworks, while Italy made fireworks bright and beautiful by using metallic powders to create spectacular colors. Bravisimo!

On July 4, 1776, there were an estimated 2.5 million people living in the 13 colonies. By 2024, the population of the US was around 340.1 million.

Fourth of July became a federal holiday in 1870, thanks to Ulysses S. Grant.

FRESH tomatoes and basil.

Tomatoes and basil growing on the back deck of Exhale provided a delicious caprese salad. Look at the deep red! It was soooo yummy. Thanks Linda P.

Another lighthouse for Caryl at Navy Point

The Hooper Strait Lighthouse, now standing on Navy Point, was originally built in 1879 to light the way for boats passing through the shallow, dangerous shoals. Now it’s just a fun museum, without the shoals.

In case you are curious, the year round population of St. Michaels was 1,094 in 2023. As you walk around town you might conclude there are more trees than residents. Enjoy the magnificent White Oak, Eastern White Pine, American Beech, Black Cherry, Hickory and Maple; among others.