Whiling Away In the Chesapeake Bay

After a wonderful (albeit soggy) visit to Gettysburg, PA, we were ready for some sun, sand, and seafood, so we towed Gracey to Solomon’s Island, MD in the Patuxent River area of the Chesapeake Bay. We visited Solomon’s three years ago on our trip up the East Coast and fell in love with it. We eagerly looked forward to returning.

Originally, we reserved four nights at the Navy Recreation Center on Solomon’s Island, but we received a call that the campground office at Ft. Story, VA, our next stop, canceled our reservations there due to the threat of Hurricane Florence. As a result, we extended our stay at Solomon’s for three additional nights until we could figure out where to go next. We were content to remain…it was time to dry out in the sun, and a few extra days in one spot meant that we could slow the pace a bit (as if we could get any slower).

Once we moved Gracey into her home for the week and got settled, we made the five-minute drive into the charming village of Solomon’s Island and the Dry Dock restaurant. Thankfully, the Dry Dock crowd was light when we arrived so we could sit on the deck overlooking the Marina and the Patuxent River. Immediately, we placed an order for a dozen raw oysters and devoured them as quickly as they arrived at our table.  For dinner, I ordered a creamy fettuccine dish smothered in freshly grilled shrimp that lasted about as long as the oysters. Helen (adorable wife) hit the jackpot with the Signature Scallop And Crab Bake of perfectly seasoned baked crab, dusted with Panko flakes and topped with seared scallops. The dish featured sides of apple arugula slaw, seasonal vegetable and a small cup of caper dill tartar sauce. In plain words, this meal was a bowl full of baked fresh crab and scallops. She still talks about it.

Helen has a cousin stationed at nearby Patuxent River NAS, and we enjoyed a delightful visit with him and his family one evening in their home.  Lt. Commander DB and Bonnie were a big help in providing suggestions for daytime activities and areas to explore. One suggestion was Point Lookout State Park about 35 miles away.  After breakfast one morning, we pointed Bert south to the tip of the peninsula where the Potomac River enters into the Chesapeake Bay. The day was bright and sunny. It was hard to believe that a hurricane was causing a ruckus anywhere near us.

Point Lookout is a very scenic area and features a lighthouse overlooking the Bay.  On this day, we saw no one except for a few folks fishing from the pier.  We watched them reel in a very stubborn Sting Ray. While in the park, Helen and I did some leisurely beach walking then enjoyed a ride back to Gracey through the Maryland coastland.

On another evening, we decided to have drinks and dinner at the Ruddy Duck located just a short drive from the campground.  This restaurant and lounge received the number one spot on Trip Advisor, and we felt obligated to check it out. We happened to arrive on the night that the restaurant chose to observe a six-month countdown to St. Patrick’s Day.  We had a very difficult time procuring seats but finally found two near some over-served Irish guests wearing bright green shirts. In one corner, a one-man band was playing Irish folk songs on a variety of instruments, most notably a lively fiddle. We ordered some pub food, then joined right in and had a great time.

DB and Bonnie also recommended Flag Ponds Nature Park as a great spot to hunt shark’s teeth, a favorite activity of ours.  We arrived on a somewhat cloudy day.  Although the park charges admission, there were no attendants at the gate.  We drove on. From 1905 to 1955, Flag Ponds housed fisherman who lived in three shanties during fishing season. They trapped fish in large nets and sold them in markets as far away as Baltimore.  Once fishing methods became more sophisticated, and labor costs increased, the activity ceased at Flag Ponds.  A replica of a fishing shanty remains on the old site.

Despite giving it our best efforts, we did not find any shark’s teeth on this day.  We observed a group of school children working a small pond to catch small fish and take them to a naturalist to identify.  The children seemed totally engrossed in the activity, and it seemed obvious that learning was taking place.

A couple of days before our Solomon’s stay ended, Helen placed a call to Fort Story to inquire about our reservations. Although Hurricane Florence had wreaked havoc in North Carolina, she spared Virginia, and we felt there was a chance that the campground had reopened. Luck was with us, and we obtained reservations for three nights.

Before we left the Island, I wanted to share some information with our Military friends because this is a great place to enjoy a family vacation. In addition to the campground, NRC Solomon’s Island offers cozy cabins with screen porches, a large marina with boats for rent, as well as several playgrounds and fishing piers. There is plenty to do in the area, and Patuxent River Navy Base features a large Commissary and Exchange. We recommend it highly.

We have traveled a lot in the three years since we retired and visited many interesting and beautiful places. I would put Solomon’s Island in the top five for sure and, given the time to think about it, perhaps even higher. Sun, sand, and seafood is an unbeatable combo, but it’s time to be Easin’ Along.