The "Day on the Canal" Story

It was an ordinary day. Headed to the Chesapeake for a day of relaxation and laughs with our friends from State College, Jerry and Just Sue. Every so often they visit and we head to the bay for lunch and some sightseeing. Naturally the laughs always are part of the day, since Jerry and I have been friends since 1st grade. And, we are never disappointed. I had made lunch arrangements at the Chesapeake Inn in Chesapeake City for 1:00 PM. We left about 9:30 AM for the hour and a half trip to Chesapeake City. We decided we would make a few stops along the way if we saw anything interesting. We traveled through Quarryville and then picked up Rt. 472S which takes you through Oxford, PA and then to Rt. 213S to Elkton, MD. Chesapeake City is about 5 or 6 miles south of Elkton. Got there by 11:00 AM and decided to continue south on Rt. 213 to a few other bay points. Along the way I handed Jerry a CD we all wanted to hear and I ejected the old one. As he was holding it he dropped it between the seat and the center console. You think we could find that d*#m CD. OK, when we stop we'll find it. As we were heading over the bridge at the C&D Canal I looked to my right and saw an immense ship coming our way. Quick made a U-turn after crossing the bridge and headed back over the bridge and to the right to what used to be Schaeffer's Canal House, right on the water of the canal. Out of the car and to the water to see the ship barely make it under the bridge. Car freighter from Japan that was traveling the canal from Baltimore to somewhere in Delaware. Neat start to our journey! And then, we climbed on to the floor of the car and finally found the CD under the BACK seat. Back over the bridge to Locust Point, MD where we vacationed years ago. Still looked the same. Onward to Kentmore Park to see other places that we had rented years before. We needed to cross the Sassafras River to reach Kentmore Park and had to wait while the drawbridge was up. One of the few times in our life that we ever had to wait. By now we are getting hungry so back to Chesapeake City for lunch. Wouldn't you know it,the drawbridge was up again. Finally arrive and have an enjoyable lunch. Time for some sightseeing in Chesapeake City. Busy place today with a wedding about to take place and many tourists walking the streets. And then, here comes another immense car freighter. This one waving a USA flag and heading the opposite direction. Seldom do we see ships of that magnitude, and to see two in the same day was exciting. Fun, but tiring day on the Chesapeake. More memories to share with our friends. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - photos from the top are: Japanese ship coming under the C&D Canal Bridge in Chesapeake City, searching for The Merrymen's CD, At last!, waiting for the drawbridge over the Sassafras River on Rt. 213 to go back down, street leading to the canal, old storefront in Chesapeake City, wedding photos along the canal, and final USA ship passing under the bridge.