10/08/2011 TILGHMAN ISLAND TO THE FISCHERS IN OXFORD ON ISLAND CREEK

SATURDAY

TOTAL NAUTICAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 12 NM

DEPARTED ABOUT 10:00 AM

ARRIVED ABOUT NOON

DOCKED AT THE FISCHER’S HOME DOCK ON ISLAND CREEK IN OXFORD, MD (W/P/FD)

After a leisurely morning and a complementary continental breakfast of bagels, donuts or english muffins provided by the marina for its guests, we cast off our ropes and began our day’s journey. The bridge tender at the Knapp’s Narrows Draw Bridge kindly opened at our request and we passed into the Choptank River upon exiting the narrows.

KNAPPS NARROWS MARINA

THE OPENING DRAWBRIDGE

The Choptank River, the major waterway on the Eastern Shore, is the setting of James Michener’s epic novel “Chesapeake” which I am deep into right now. This area is rich with its colorful history.

Even though the town of Oxford is perched on the Tred Avon, we travel up Island Creek to reach the Fischer’s lovely retreat with calm waters, sunny skies and warm temperatures.

JOE AND SUZANNE'S LOVELY HOME WELCOMES US

QUEST WAS HAPPY TO SNUGGLE UP TO THE FISCHER'S DOCK

Oxford, a key port on the Eastern Shore during the Revolutionary War, developed its shipbuilding, sail-making, tobacco farming, oystering and crabbing over the next decades. Later it became a haven for tourists and those seeking a second-home retreat.

Oxford is known for its distinctive picket fences and we picked up on some local color while we attended the 3ed Annual Oxford Picket Fence Auction. Suzanne desperately wanted one of the artists embellished fence sections but gave up when the bidding became just too exorbitant. What a great fundraiser for the town!