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The Chester River opens up on the Chesapeake's eastern shore just above Kent Island - northeast of and across the bay from Annapolis. It winds around through beautiful countryside with old Georgian and Federal period homes on the shores. Again we fell in love with the eastern shore - it really is a special place. We took off the river up Langford Creek and anchored off of Cacaway Island for several days. Each evening we watched the Canada geese come in for the night on their way south and each morning we could see the trees changing color just a little bit more. There is no doubt autumn is here in the Chesapeake.
On Saturday we up-anchored and headed out of the creek and up the river to Chestertown about 10 miles away. Chestertown was chartered as a port of entry in 1704 and was for some time a very busy seaport. The historic district is quite charming with brick sidewalks, 18th century homes, and really nice people. We visited with Lanetta at The Compleat Bookseller and got directions to her favorite local tavern called Andy's. That night we met a wonderful couple - Scott and Jen - who were playing some great music (some original) there at the tavern. They live in Baltimore and we plan on meeting up with them when we head over that way later in the month.
Our neighbors at anchor here on the town front are some folks from Australia and a house boat/catamaran from Oregon. Chestertown has a reputation for preservation - in particular the preservation of wooden boats. The Sultana Project here is quite famous for continuing the craft of boatbuilding. Later this month several tall ships will arrive for the annual festival. In the marina there are several wooden ships including another John Smith shallop.
On an historical note, Chestertown has some interesting facts. They, like Boston, had a "tea party" in May 1774 (Boston's was December 1773) where they tossed a shipload of tea into the Chester in protest of the exorbitant colonial taxation. Maryland was truly "brother against brother" in the War Between the States. We saw a monument with the Chestertown Yankees on one side and the Chestertown Confederates on the other. The same family names were on both sides of the stone.
One other note. Chestertown is the home of Washington College - a small, private liberal arts school. Washington College is the 10th oldest college in the US and the first college established - with George's blessing - after the War of Independence. It is a beautiful campus in a wonderful little town. Chestertown ranks high on our favorite places in the Chesapeake.
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