Taking Delivery, Sea Trials Thursday!

[Valkyrie]

Hi C-Brats!

Well, the time has finally come. We've been waiting to take delivery of Valkyrie since placing the order at the Baltimore Boat Show in January in the middle of that blizzard!

We leave from Ohio tomorrow night and take delivery on Thursday morning in Baltimore. Ruthie from Cutter tells us that the radar should be installed by then and the name should be painted on, too. We'll probably spend that night at the marina, stocking up, organizing and trying to figure out the GPS and radar.

Hopefully, we'll head south to St. Michaels for Friday night and then play it by ear. Marcia, being a lighthouse fan, insists that we get some close-ups of Thomas Point Light.

If any of you Chesapeake Bay C-Brats would like to join us anywhere in the area or have suggestions for anchorages, harbors or restaurants on the water, let us know.

Best regards and thanks to all who have helped us with advice for the last six months.

Nick and Marcia
Valkyrie

PS: Look for pictures in our album soon!

[El and Bill]

Nick and Marcia --

Congrats on taking delivery on your new boat!! Great news. In response to your question about anchorages in the Upper Chesapeake -- these are all on the Eastern Shore and places we have stayed in these past few weeks here (lat, long):

Emory Crk, Corsica River -- 39 05.515 76 06.315 -- go way up into the shoal end - you will be alone with deer, a Great Blue who roosted on our roof, a tan racoon, muskrats, osprey, black vultures -- great spot and a perfect bad weather 'hole' -- might be hot without breeze if temps are high.

Davis Creek, Langford Bay -- 39 07.558 76 11.054 -- just above Lankford Bay Marina -- great view of old barn, herons, ospreys, beavers, and quiet spot. Marina folks are great, for fuel, swimming pool, clean showers, and (shudder) gift shop.

All the following are close to interesting Eastern Shore towns, with great strolls through charming towns with good seaside restaurants.

Dividing Crk, Wye River -- 38 53.282 76 09.185

Hunting Creek, Miles River -- 38 47.684 76 09.684

Tripp Crk, Tred Avon -- 38 42.580 76 07.446

Connolly Cove, La Trappe Crk -- 38 38.907 76 05.669 --

And, you don't want to miss Chestertown -- up the top of the Chester River, a great cruising river. Colonial town with good eating spots, great architecture, and nice walks ashore. Chestertown Marina -- 39 12.316 76 03.887

You might also want to stop by Rock Hall -- good marinas, nice shoreside seafood restaurants, a waterman's town, with The Mainstay and fine music. Google search it for concert times, and plan a night here with a concert.

Have fun.

[Valkyrie]

El and Bill.

Thanks for the anchorage info! Having just been at the gathering, we'll probably not go back to langford Bay, Rock Hall and Chestertown just yet.

The anchorages sound ncie and quiet. Our kind of place.

Nick and Marcia
Valkyrie

[El and Bill]

Maybe cruise southerly to Oxford, St. Michaels, and Cambridge (those other anchorages) and then return to Chester River and Rock Hall. Can't think of a better way to end a voyage than cruising the Chester River and then a stop at Rock Hall with an evening at The Mainstay with some good music, company, and seafood.

It was great meeting with you guys, and look forward to crossing trails up in Ohio -- any chance of your coming to Finger Lakes after the break-in cruising here on the Chesapeake?

[Pat Anderson]

Congrats, Nick and Marcia! It was great meeting you in person, look forward to seeing you again in the future at a C-Brat gathering!

[Little Catelyn]

Congratulations! Yep, looks like you guys are going to beat me to the finish line --- but, don't look back because I'm right behind you!

Bet you're making a bunch of lists...

Enjoy your new boat!
Corwin

[El and Bill]

Quoting Terraplane Tom (and you guys know the tune):

"I wanna cruise the Chester River
Lay back in the noonday sun
Feet in the water and a bottle of Bo
Lordy, that's what I call fun."

Have a great shakedown cruise, and lay back in the noonday sun.