Oxford and St. Michaels

“Life’s2Short” arrived in Oxford about 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 25th, where we dropped the hook in a very nice anchorage just off the channel in Town Creek. Late that afternoon we took the dinghy out for a short ride around Town Creek to get the lay of the land and then spent a quiet evening on board.

We went in to town on Thursday to explore Oxford. Officially founded in 1694, it is one of the oldest towns in America. The streets are lined with lovely homes but there isn’t much else going on. We saw several of Oxford’s 2010 picket fences as we were walking around. There are a total of eighteen fences scattered about, all painted by local artists. The fences are auctioned off in October and half the profits are donated to the favorite charity of the artist whose fence raises the most money.

While we were wandering around, we stopped in to meet Peter & Nancy, MTOA port captains who live in Oxford. Nancy’s family has lived in Oxford for several decades and they have a beautiful home on the water facing the Tred Avon River. When we left their house, we walked to Schooners for mid-afternoon appetizers followed by ice cream at the Scottish Highland Creamery, winner of the best ice cream award for the past several years.

Oxford is a very picturesque town.

This was a really interesting concept. The nets are hanging in the trees to catch the leaves so they don’t litter the ground. But how do they empty the nets???

Local crabbers bring their catch to shore.

Miniature Skipjack, Yankee Pedler.

Don & Barbara aboard “Cavara” came in to the anchorage while we were at Schooners. We saw them dinghying in to town as we were heading back to “Life’s2Short” and tentatively planned to get together that evening after dinner. But we ended up going to bed early instead.

“Life’s2Short” is anchored beyond the end of the street.

“Knot Tide Down” arrived in the anchorage Friday around noon. Todd & I walked to the Oxford Market with Bill that afternoon while Ana was working and then the three of us took another dinghy ride around Town Creek.

A nice mural on the side of the Oxford Market.

That evening we gathered aboard “Cavara” for appetizers before going to see a play called “Leading Ladies” at the Oxford Community Center. The Tred Avon Players (TAPS) is one of the oldest community theatre groups on Maryland's Eastern Shore and everyone enjoyed the lively performance.

A view of the anchorage from “Cavara.”

Happy hour apps with friends.

The set for “Leading Ladies.” Is that colorful or what???

After the show we all dinghied over to Schooner’s for a few drinks, but there wasn’t much happening there so we called it a night.

Saturday we walked in to town with Bill & Ana to visit the Oxford Museum and have another taste of the Scottish Highland Creamery.

We then got in our dinghies and cruised out into the Tred Avon River to stir up a breeze and watch the log boat races.

We also saw the Oxford-Bellvue Ferry. Started in 1683, it is believed to be the oldest privately owned ferry in the United States.

Saturday evening the six of us had dinner at Schooner’s before retiring to “Cavara” for several games of Apples to Apples.

Sunday was a mellow day. We left Oxford about noon and were anchored in San Domingo Creek, also known as “the back door to St. Michaels,” a couple of hours later. “Cavara” headed south but we reconnected with Steve & Diane on “Jolly Good” at our new anchorage and Diane suggested dinner at Ava’s Pizzeria in St. Michaels.

Before dinner Steve & Diane gave us a brief walking tour of Talbot Street in St. Michaels.

Diane and I must have been on the same wavelength when we got dressed.

Having fun at Ava’s Pizzeria.

“Jolly Good” took off Monday around 9:00 a.m. headed for a slip at Harrington Habour, leaving us to suffer in the heat while they plug in to power!

Early morning in the anchorage with “Jolly Good” in the foreground and “Knot Tide Down” in the background.

Ana & Bill walked in to town mid-morning and came back with new sunglasses for Deoge!

She’s a styling dudette!

After Ana started her four-hour work shift, Bill, Todd & I went in to town and wandered around for a while before stopping in at the Characters Cafe for a cold beverage and a few games of Keno. We then did some shopping at the Acme Market next door before returning to our boats to put together some very tasty shish-ka-bobs. And, of course, we played Catch Phrase after dinner. It seems the girls are making a comeback!

Tuesday was another hot one. Todd spent a good part of the day repairing a leaking riser on the port engine while I busied myself in the kitchen. About 4:00 p.m., the non-working members of our group went back in to town to enjoy the air conditioning at Characters Cafe, along with a few cold beverages and more Keno. Then it was back to the boat for dinner and Catch Phrase. Unfortunately, the girls did not prevail this time.

Today is Wednesday, September 1st, and we are heading out of the Choptank River, through Knapps Narrows to pump out and top off with water, then back into the Chesapeake to the Wye River where we will find a place to hole up as we continue to monitor Hurricane Earl’s path. At this point, however, it doesn’t look as though we have too much to be concerned about. But we are very much looking forward to the cooler temperatures that are being forecast for the weekend!