This week we spent a few days in Tuckahoe State Park:  http://dnr2.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/eastern/tuckahoe.aspx - http://dnr2.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/eastern/tuckahoe.aspx

They built this park just for us!! At least that's the way it felt with the five or so other campers occupying the 58 available sites. Camping during the week has its advantages. We chose the non electric loop - site 39. It's probably the most private site in the park, although they are all well spaced with thick growth between.

Adjacent to the park is Adkins Arboretum:  http://www.adkinsarboretum.org/ - http://www.adkinsarboretum.org/

It's a short drive to the arboretum from your campsite, or you can take a bit more adventurous bike ride through some gorgeous woods and wildlife.

The Adkins Arboretum was just icing on the cake for us. Our primary reason for picking Tuckahoe State Park is its proximity to St. Michael's, Maryland. I mentioned before that I grew up in Maryland. Much of that youth was spent sailing on the Chesapeake Bay and St. Michael's was always at the top of my list of favorite anchorages. Tuckahoe State Park is a 30 minute drive northeast of St. Michael's.

During the war of 1812, the British took aim on St. Michael's one night, intent on destroying the town and shipbuilding facilities. They did very little damage as the townsfolk had dimmed their lights and hung lanterns in the trees beyond the town. The Brits overshot the town!

The shipbuilding heritage of St. Michael's is alive and well at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. This is an absolute must stop if you are anywhere within a day's drive. Do plan on spending a full day at the museum. 

Of course, ship building is one part of St. Michael's heritage. The museum explores and has wonderful exhibits of the bountiful seafood industry on the Bay. Although not the thriving industry it once was, you could easily still get into a barroom brawl debating the kingship of the blue crab, oyster or rockfish! In the picture below, Miss Mary (a professional crab picker) told me she averaged 65-75 pounds of crabmeat a day picking for The Maryland Crab Company right there on the grounds of the museum. If you are a crab picker like me, you are impressed!

After the museum or take a lunch break and visit http://www.thecrabclaw.com/ - The Crab Claw  restaurant adjacent to the museum or wander over to the http://www.stmichaelscrabhouse.com/ - Crab and SteakHouse . We had appetizers of steamers and St. Michael's Ale at The Crab Claw and then had dinner of Mighty Mikes Rockfish bites and fried oysters. Oh, and some more St. Michael's Ale. It's a bit too early for crab. Good crab.

While in St. Michael's and just for old time's sake, I visited the St. Michael's Marina and got a rate card. They don't allow anchoring in the harbor anymore. I'm glad I have the Pod, as the minimum nightly fee to tie your boat up is $128.00/night plus electric. More on the weekend. And it is a bit crowded.

Another great trip with the Pod. What fun! The pod performed perfectly and Tuckahoe State Park was better than we had anticipated.

One last picture. You probably noticed in the first picture of St. Michael's above, tied to the face dock of the museum are the visiting ships the http://www.thenina.com/ - Nina and http://www.thenina.com/ - Pinta .

Happy Podding!

fred

P.S. I forgot to add...Pod Sighting!! We drove the electric loop of the park as we were leaving in a driving rainstorm. I mentioned before there were only five or so campers. One of them was a R-Pod; all buttoned up in the rain with and older green Jeep TV. We tapped our horn. If that was you, that was us on the horn! 

I have to disagree with you though. My 88 year old mother makes the best crab cakes in the world. And I make the best crab omelets! 

fred

I've made the offer many times before - I have a 30 amp hookup and water available from my driveway, anyone is welcome to spend a night or three.  Dump available via my septic cleanout.

Crab cakes and crab omelets sound amazing!