WOODEN BOAT SHOW - Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels, MD

This museum does the most amazing job of "saving the lives" of old historic wrecks and restoring them to their former glory.  Not only that, they give invaluable insight into the history of these maritime treasures of times gone by on the Chesapeake Bay and the roles the vessels played in shaping Maryland into what it is today.  The annual wooden boat show brings boats from near and far for enthusiasts to marvel at, an opportunity to stroll the exquisite waterfront grounds of the Maritime Museum, sample local fare, my favorite being the crab cakes, and just have a fun day.  

One of the gorgeous old buildings within the museum grounds.

Skipjacks - traditional Chesapeake Bay fishing boats used for oyster dredging - most of these fine examples which are still sailed, were built around the very early 1900's.

Historic Chesapeake Buy-Boats made the rounds of the Chesapeake Oyster beds, to buy oysters directly from the harvesters, allowing the oyster dredgers to remain on the beds, avoiding the need to return the dock when full.  In the background is the 1879 Hooper Strait traditional Chesapeake "Screwpile" lighthouse.

One of many examples of old wooden boats that can be restored to their former glory - I just love the patina on the old wood.

Crap pot - the Chesapeake Bay is famous for it's steamed Blue Crabs seasoned with Old Bay!

Used for dredging for oysters.

Part of the picturesque Maritime Museum grounds.

One of many fine examples of beautifully restored old wooden boats on show.

Old equipment used for oystering, on a bed of oyster shells, now on show at the Oyster museum section.

Part of Bay restoration where grasses are planted.  In the background is the Inn at Perry Cabin, a fine establishment for getting away from it all - originally owned by the famous British Laura Ashley, and well known for it's front lawns being used for the outdoor wedding scene filming of "The Wedding Crashers". 

More beautiful buildings and boats, boats, boats.

Flowering Bergamot (Bee Balm)

And in the midst of this beautiful Maritime Museum is this darling little wood and stone cottage with historic vegetable gardens surrounded by paths of oyster shells.  A happy find for me.

Inside the Oyster Museum shed, a collection of tinned oysters on display.

More Skipjack detail

On a hot day, nothing like a Pale Ale and a crab cake at the Crab Claw in St. Michaels, MD - sorry I ate it too quickly to photograph it!!!!  Delicious.

Herb boxes outside the Crab Claw restaurant in St. Michaels, MD

Just outside the museum, I could not resist these Oakleaf Hydrangeas looking all summery in full bloom.

BEAUTIFUL SLEEPY, PEACEFUL, OXFORD, MD

Oxford is one of my favorite day trips from Annapolis - an hour away on the Eastern Shore, across the Bay Bridge.  A picture-postcard waterbound village with 700 residents, it has a leafy main street with a small convenience store, delicious sandwiches they make to order, ice creams, and not much else other than boatbuilding, yachting, many gorgeous historic colonial homes and colorful, inspiring gardens.

A lovely little beach on the Tred Avon River, at the end of the main street, most times I visit there is not another soul in sight.

This is about all there is to the beach looking towards the town side.  

A place where I pick up oyster shells (I'm making a mirror), sea glass and other treasure

If I was a lone duck, this is where I would hang out.

The Robert Morris Inn, built prior to 1710 sits brightly at the end of the main street of Oxford, across the street from the water and the Ferry which takes cars and passengers across the water to Bellevue, MD - short cut to St. Michaels, and a quick and fun ride over.

Back patio of the Robert Morris Inn

Looking back up the main street of Oxford

In all her buttercup glory, standing proudly since the early 1700's and once a private residence the Robert Morris Inn 

One of many lovely private colonial homes

A peaceful spot at the end of one of the side streets

A place to sit and reflect on the beauty of the area

Tavern entrance alongside the Robert Morris Inn

Oxford seems to pride itself on beautiful gardens - a white Crape Myrtle (Pride of India) gives a little privacy to the front porch

I'm sure they don't mind me snooping around admiring the summer blooms and blossoms - Crape Myrtle trees (Pride of India), in white and pink were stunning this year as always

Another lovely area on the main street with herbs and perennials and the crushed oyster shell pathway you see a lot of on the Chesapeake Bay

Love the wall murals that decorate otherwise blank expanses of buildings.