Port of Leonardtown Brenton Bay

This was the final place that we checked out for the day. It was the Public Park at the Port of Leonardtown. It is at the foot of Route 326,Washington Street. It was the most kayak friendly of the places so far. There was a big parking lot, a short walk to the launch ramp, and they even had bathrooms! That is a plus.

There was a ramp, which you can see in the photos. It is a floating dock. It was designed to launch from. The water in the Bay was pretty calm. There were a number of other kayakers out there. The water is also used by speed boats and jet skis. On this particular day, we witnessed that the speed boats had little regard for the kayakers. Instead of slowing down as they passed them, they sped up and created waves. This is a maritime no no, but was done none the less. Something to be aware of.

This was the nicest location we found today and have made plans to make it our next outing!

Launch Sites....Old Chaptico Wharf

Actually the second place we checked out was the Old Chaptico Wharf. It was a busy place. People were pulling out and putting in motor boats. There was still plenty of room to launch a kayak. There was the traditional boat ramp, and there was a low dock out at the end of the wharf. There was a rocky shoreline, so you couldn't launch from a beach area. Once again, it was on the open water of the Wicomico River, which looked to be a little rougher than we wanted. There was plenty of parking and it was a short walk to the dock. The Wharf was located down Route 238, heading towards 7th District. Once again it was apron 5 miles from the house.

Possible Launch Site.....Port of Leonardtown Public Park

 

The third place that we looked at was the Port of Leonardtown Park. It was located near the intersection of Route 5 and Route 243, Newtowne Neck Road. It was a small park with ample parking.  It was a small stream that opened up to Brenton Bay. There was an area where you could launch from. It was , as Greg said, a "lazy river". There was moving water, but it was flowing very slow. In the photos it looks quite narrow at this point, but it gets wider as you go down stream. It may be part of the McIntosh Run. 

Finding a Launch Site.....Wicomico Shores

The day after our first outing, we decided to get out the Miata and scope out some local areas that we thought might be good for kayaking. We started at Wicomico Shores. It had a public boat ramp, which would do nicely. It also had a dock that you could use to lower yourself into kayak, a technique that I am not ready to try! Upon going out on the dock to get a view of the shoreline, I discovered a small sandy beach just past the picnic grounds and bathrooms. We walked down to it and found that it would be a perfect place to launch. There was even a stream going back into a marshy area. That would be fun to explore. Couldn't tell how far back it went, but worth a look.

This area was in more open water, the Wicomico River. There was a breeze blowing and the water was rougher than we are ready to tackle. If you stayed close to the shore, it could be a nice place to explore. Not far from home, within 5 miles.

Kayaking

So while thinking of what to get for Greg for his birthday, I remembered how much he liked kayaking while we were in Florida on vacation earlier in the Spring. A kayak....perfect gift. So I spent some time on line looking at kayaks. Spent even more time looking in stores. I saw a couple that I thought he might like, but not being a kayaker myself, what did I really know about kayaks? What features would be most liked by the gift recipient? Finally I came to my senses and decided to get him a paddle and a dry bag. The kayak should be chosen by him! 

Glad I let him choose, as he picked something different from what I would have picked for him. He wanted something like what Emily and Jeff had. I was looking for something more stable.

We looked at Bass Pro Shop, no recreational kayaks, just fishing ones. We found what he wanted at Dick's Sporting Goods. He selected a Preception "Swifty."  Since this was a sport that we would be enjoying together, I figured that I should "take the plunge" and get a kayak as well! I picked out a Potomac "Catalyst."Mine has a flatter bottom, a little longer, and has 2 dry wells; one in the bow and one in the stern. (How do you like those boating terms?)

With Greg's schedule, we were not going to be able to try the yaks out till the 4th of July. Our first venture out was to St Mary's Lake in Calloway. The launch went well. We paddled around for about an hour. It was really fun. I never once felt in danger of flipping over. That had been my biggest fear of kayaking. It was a really nice day, the weather was nice. It was a little breezy, but not windy.  I came away from that experience wanting to go again!

Now to look for some more areas to paddle in.........

Emily's Baby Shower March 17th 2012

Emily's baby shower was an absolute success! The guest list of attendees were: Great Grandmothers: Nina Fitzpatrick, Betty Hughes and Phyllis Emeigh . Grandmothers: Susan Markovich, Debbie Gelzinis, and myself. Great Aunts: Casey Huether, Robin Dumler, Debbie Grill, Kathleen C. and Mary Katherine Gonzales, Amy Emeigh. Aunts: Amber Dumler and Alyssa Gelzinis . Cousins: Eva Huether and Ethan Dumler.Second cousins: Amanda Wilson and Amanda Grill. Friends: Beth Shepard, Linda Barnes, Karen Young, Lisa Ellie, Bryce Ellie, Lisa Bartley-Estep.

The decorations were done by Emily Gelzinis and Beth Shepard. They were fantastic! The "cloud and rain drops" were great!!

The food was provided by Greg, via the Olive Garden. The menu consisted of Salad, bread sticks, marinara sauce, Lasagna, 5 Cheese Ziti, Chicken Alfredo, Tiramisu and cupcakes. The food was DELICIOUS!!! We had a variety of sodas, wines, sweet tea and water.

We ate first and then went right to the presents Jeff was on Skype and got to say hi to everyone. He was able to stay on to see the presents open. They got so many nice things.

The diaper doggie cake made a great centerpiece, if I say so myself! All the guests seem to like the gift bags they received, as the left. They were filled with a picture frame, bottle of water, personalized Hershey bar, votive cup with "soft blanket" candle, and a bottle of Bath and Body Works, Antibacterial "Fresh Picked" scent hand wash.

The living room was full of presents! They got so many great gifts and only one repeat gift! The registry at Babies R Us, must not have been working correctly, as we looked up the registry and several things had been purchased, but the registry did not reflect that.

A Big thanks goes out to all those who helped "behind the scenes". Karen, Amber, Linda, Beth and Emily!

Maybe There Is No Mexican Food For Us in B'More

We moved to the city in early October. Seeings as there is just the two of us, we frequently eat out. We have found a few gems, such as Cabanita's Chicken, 2 doors down. It is a Peruvian Chicken Restaurant. We have had their food several times during the past two months. The first time we went there and ate in. The food is good, the servings plentiful and the price, down-right a steal! The Cokes is where they get you! $2.00 for a can of soda? So we most times walk over, and get take out, I always have Coke in the fridge!

Another "gem" is Chipparelli's in Little Italy. It is about a 10 minute walk, but worth it! They have an incredible house salad! Their entrees are big enough for two and then some. We will each order a salad and split an entree between us. Prices are fair and the food is heavenly!

We have also found that you can get excellent "pub grub." There several pubs in our area. Can't say that we have ever left a place unsatisfied. James Joyce has the best Beef/Lamb stew around.

Now Mexican is another story. There are a lot of Hispanic/ Ecuadorean Restaurants on Broadway. We wanted to go for Mexican yesterday afternoon after church, so we set out to find a place. We went by several, and for one reason or another, we decided on Santa Ana Restaurant. We walked in, and all heads turned our way! Ever feel like you wish the floor would open up and suck you under? Sure felt like this yesterday. The second indication that we may not be in the right place, was that no one spoke English, at least to us! After asking the hostess if we should seat ourselves, I knew this was going to be a difficult process. Se hablo Espanol? No we both chimed in. There was an awkward silence. We finally ordered drinks, but when it came to the menu, we both decided, we were just there to "wet our whistle", so to speak. We paid the bill and left, still hungry, but not thirsty! We ended up across the street at a Chinese eat in/take out place. Which was very good, and cheap. We will definitely go there again.

The conclusion we have come to, as this was not the first "Mexican Restaurant" up here that we have tried, with the same results, is that these restaurants are not here for "gringos" to go and eat....they are here for the Hispanics to go to. They pretty much stick to their own culture here. Maybe that is the way it is in larger cities.

All I know is, in Saint Mary's County......You can get a real good "feed" at Salsa's, Monterey's or Fiesta Cafe....And they appreciate your business and want you back!

So Much for Eating Mexican here!