We set off from the Bay Motel when the sun was still a hair below the horizon. We retraced the last few miles from the previous day and thankfully the roads were just as sleepy as we felt. Just short of 10 miles we started seeing signs for Crabbe's Charter Fishing and a couple turns later, Captain Crabbe himself! He and his wife Bonnie were prepping the boat for our voyage across. We were leaving from a dock right by their home and it was a really beautiful area. Bonnie pointed out a goose sitting on big nest on a nearby dock. The nest was surprisingly large and easily visible. We learned that Danny had started ferrying cyclists across decades ago after a cyclist randomly reached out. At some point Adventure Cycling Association had added him to the map and now it was a recurring request for him.
Bonnie stayed behind while Captain Crabbe carried us across. It was a short ride and we were thankfully that we were thankfully to sit in an area enclosed on three sides. We were comfortable for the crossing but whipping winds would certainly have changed that. After just over half an hour, Danny docked the boat at the Point Lookout State Park boat ramp. While we were unpacking our bikes, he pointed out a young bald eagle. Apparently, they don't have the white crown until they're getting closer to adulthood. "I'd pet them if they let me."
We said our good byes and were back to moving. The original plan was to go to a Courtney's sea food restaurant (which we'd confirmed the day before had wifi). Courtney's required a 2 mile detour each way though and we had extra time before Camille started work. Instead we made a last minute decision to head for St. Mary's, enticed by the great reviews for Enso's Kitchen. We were a bit anxious about how we'd find wifi for Camille.
Once we arrived, there was a line already queued up at Enso's and while there seemed to be a wifi network available we had issues connecting. In the end, we setup Greg's phone as a hotspot and setup in a comfy spot at a nearby picnic table under some trees. Greg picked up breakfast sandiches and some delicious donuts from Enso's. There were only two flavors of donuts (cinnamon and vanilla frosted cinnamon?) but they were actually really great. Camille realized that the donuts were actually made with sour dough (or something similar). Greg was oblivious but thought they were tasty.
Enso's was in old St. Mary's and there were lots of field trips passing by with teachers shepherding herds of little visitors. We didn't explore too much but could see the foot print/skeletons of a bunch of old buildings and the old town hall. Greg wandered a tiny bit checking out the reconstructed state house and read a few of the informational signs. Apparently, St. Mary's was the 4th permanent European settlement in the US and the original capital of Maryland colony. The settlers first landed there in the 1630s, it became the capital in 1660s and the capital later moved to Annapolis in the 1690s. Today, it's a pretty small town with fewer than 1000 permanent residents and a college with 2400 seasonal students? Approaching noon, our quiet peaceful spot was invaded by a large gathering of history students from the nearby college. We refused to give any ground though and toughed it out despite their noise for more than half an hour.
At lunch, we were back on the road heading to Lexington Park. There were some surprising hills on the way but after less than an hour, we arrived at the library in Lexington Park. We spent the afteroon in the library before moving to the hotel. Camille was cranky and needed a nap. We went to El Rinconcito for dinner. When we walked in there Mariachi music playing and Camille turned to Greg and said, that's how you know this place is legit. She wasn't wrong, the food was great. Camille Filete de La Diabla. Greg had a whole fried tilapia. Both were delicious. After we walked to the Donut Connection for dessert, initially intent on getting some donuts, but after realizing they had iced cream, we pivoted. The employee talked Greg into Mint Moose Tracks while Camille got Cappucino Crunch.
Back at the hotel, we watched some more The Diplomat and crashed early.
