Friday, June 6, 2008

Solomons Island, Maryland to St. Michaels, Maryland

Friday, June 6, 2008
High Profile Spotting - Tonight Kevin & Debbie were having dinner at Bistro St. Michaels and recognized one of the guests coming from the upstairs dining room. It was Vice-President Dick Chaney. He was having dinner with his wife and possibly friends upstairs. Numerous people followed him down, most probably secret service. The server said that the restaurant was filled with secret service. In the kitchen, out front and out back. Vice-President Chaney and his wife own a home in St.Michaels. Locals are used to the procedures and say he frequents the restaurant. The couple at the table next to us said he lives two doors down from their home and they see him helicopter in on Fridays. No one batted an eye to his presence, except for the Hoppers. The food was fabulous!!!
We left Solomons Island at 8:40 AM and will be traveling a shorter distance of 55 miles to St. Michaels. The temperature is in the 70s, but expected to reach mid 80s later today. Skies are overcast with dense clouds, which will make for nice running temperatures. The sun is predicted to break through later today making temperatures warmer. Winds are Easterly 5 with Seas 2-3, but calming to 1-2.
St. Michaels - A Little Background History
St. Michaels is one of those unforgettable cruising spots of the Chesapeake Bay. Although the town was officially chartered in 1804, early accounts of trading here date back to 1631, and the late 1600s parish church was built where the Christ Episcopal Church now stands. As St. Michaels grew it became an important ship building center especially noted for its "Baltimore Clippers," the fastest sailing vessels of their time. Today the town is better known as a popular yachting center.

A Waterfront Home On St. Michaels

Shore Things in St. Michaels
In St. Michaels, everyone can be as busy, or idyllically idle, as they like. There are interesting museums, diverse shops, fabulous restaurants, tour boats, golf course and numerous festivals to entertain everyone. There are luxurious inns, manicured parks, and coves to discover by dingy. (http://www.stmichaelsmd.org/)
Things To See and Do
Of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum's nine buildings, the cottage-style Hooper Strait Lighthouse is the most recognizable. Decommissioned and moved to its present after standing watch for 75 years, it has been restored and furnished to reveal the lightkeeper's world. Other exhibits in this exemplary museum examine such local maritime heritage as waterfowl hunting, boatbuilding and oystering.

A Bascule Bridge at the Maritime Museum

Buildings in the Maritime Museum

Hooper Strait Lighthouse
Shopping - Yes! Debbie is Exited For Some Awesome Shopping!!!! Shops specializing in unusual gifts, clothing, art and antiques line Talbot Street, which runs the length of the town. Browsers will find a range of merchandise: pottery, sportswear, jewelry, home furnishings, books, Christmas ornaments and gifts for people and their pets. All the things that Kevin says" We do not need." On Saturday morning ( May through October) the farmer's market in Muskrat Park is open for shopping to buy garden produce and homemade treats or to attend a guest chef's demonstration. (http://www.freshmarketpark.com/)

A Pet Store in Town
Dining
Restaurants here enjoy widespread acclaim. With many fabulous restaurants to choose from, we selected Bistro St. Michaels, a french bistro in the heart of downtown. (http://www.bistrostmichaels.com/)
St. Michaels Harbour Inn Marina & Spa
Kevin and I have found that if an "U" is added to HARBOR the price is increased. We guess it makes it fancier. We will be staying one night at Bob Pascal's St. Michaels Harbour Inn and Spa. It is a resort marina with waterfront suites, a luxurious spa located at Harbour Inn, and features restaurants offering contemporary and and casual dining. The marina features all the amenities of an upscale resort and conference center. Marina facilities include complimentary cable, showers, laundry, courteous and helpful dock attendants and pump-out. Resort amenities available to Marina guests include an outdoor pool and spa, bikes, shuttle service into town, exercise room, wireless internet and spa. (http://www.harbourinn.com/)

Island Hopper Docked at Harbour Inn Marina

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