"Yesterday, we got to sleep in until eight o'clock. We then boarded the Mildred Belle and began our journey to Rock Hall. On the way we finished our projects and then split into our watches. For the rest of the trip we stayed on our watches and then we ate lunch. After lunch we went swimming in the cool, refreshing bay water. Shortly after we got back on the boat, we arrived at Rock Hall. No one knows why it is called Rock Hall, but I think it's because there are a lot of striped bass (also known as rockfish). After one of the fastest dockings I've seen this trip, Offie drove us to the campsite. We camped near a playground. It had swings, a teeter-totter, a tractor thingy, a baseball field, and a wonderful pavillion which was perfect for cooling off after we played. Sadly, we had to go to bed early, but when we got up super early at 4:30 AM we got to go trotlining (a method of crabbing)."
Written by Robert
More on today's trotlining adventures and our journey back to Baltimore once we hit land!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
More pictures for you!
The gang in front of the old holly tree on Wye Island:
Canoeing!
More canoeing:
PLanting aquatic grasses:
Grilling some burgers:
Canoeing!
More canoeing:
PLanting aquatic grasses:
Grilling some burgers:
Another picture post!
Hanging out on the cabintop:
Squirtle the Turtle, a Maryland Diamondback Terrapin and our ship's mascot:
Doing some water quality tests:
Learning down in the cabin:
At the helm:
Squirtle the Turtle, a Maryland Diamondback Terrapin and our ship's mascot:
Doing some water quality tests:
Learning down in the cabin:
At the helm:
Mildred Belle, 4th of July post!
"Day 8 of our journey to explore the Chesapeake Bay was filled with joy and excitement from the students and from everyone else in Annapolis. It was the 4th of July! Our first activity of the day was to canoe from Granary Creek to Dividing Creek. At first I didn't know what to do because it was my first time canoeing but after a few modifications in how to row the paddles, my canoe partner and I were in complete sync. After we made it to Dividing Creek, we hiked around and saw a 275-year-old holly tree. It is a rarity to see a holly tree that old. Then we canoed back to our campsite and off to the boat we went. After a five-hour boat trip to Annapolis, Maryland, some of us noticed a small parade going on. I enjoyed it because of the choice of music and their performance. Later that night we set up our tents and had a good night's dinner of burgers, fries, and rice & beans, followed by a dessert of watermelon and pie. That was a good dinner we had, I had two burgers. To wrap up the night we got to the fireworks and talk with the friends we have made on this trip."
Written by Jason
Written by Jason
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Mildred Belle, Day 7
"Yesterday we woke up at Taylor's Island. We had bagels for breakfast. Once we got on the boat we had to refuel and pump out the head (sewage). Next we all got together to discuss our Creature Features. We each designed our own new species that adapted to the world one million years from now. We didn't get to finish sharing our creatures because we had to split into our watches. Starboard Watch went to the stern of the boat to talk about bioaccumulation, wetlands and marshes. We also did a water quality check. While Starboard was doing that, Port Watch was navigating. In about 2 hours we switched watches. Once we got a course set, both watches got to clean the boat. We all worked hard to get it done so we could eat lunch. We had cold cuts, PB&J, and tortilla chips again. When lunch was done, we were almost at the island so we finished our creature features. Shortly after, we were on Wye Island. We got to go mud mucking and plant saltmarsh grass along the shoreline. Although the mud was sort of mushy, it was a good experience. After planting the grass we set up tents while Offie cooked another amazing dinner, pasta with alfredo and spaghetti sauce and corn on the cob. To burn off the food, later we played an educational version of manhunt (hide-and-go seek tag in the dark). We got to use glowsticks. To wrap up the night we had s'mores around the campfire while Natalie told us a bedtime story."
Written by Nadia
Written by Nadia
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Mildred Belle, Day 6
Hello all!
As we make our way to Wye Island this morning, we have an update for you on what we did for day 6 of our trip.
"Yesterday, June 2nd, we sailed out of Jefferson Patterson Park in Maryland for about an hour boat ride to Calvert Marine Museum. It was pretty cool. It had a lot about boating and fishing vessels used in the chesapeake Bay throughout its history. It also had an aquarium and a fossil room. We got in groups and tried to finish the scavenger hunt. After the museum we ate a pasta salad that Offie, one of our support staff, made. It was really good. Then we split up into watches. My watch, Starboard Watch, ran the boat doing navigation, and Robert drove at the helm. Then we switched and Port Watch did navigation while we studied how animals adapt. When we finally docked for the end of the day it was at Slaughter Creek. We swam at a small pool at the marina. Then we set up our camp at a field there. Later, after a stir fry dinner, we played Ultimate Frisbee. My team won both games. Then we went to sleep."
Written by Andrew
As we make our way to Wye Island this morning, we have an update for you on what we did for day 6 of our trip.
"Yesterday, June 2nd, we sailed out of Jefferson Patterson Park in Maryland for about an hour boat ride to Calvert Marine Museum. It was pretty cool. It had a lot about boating and fishing vessels used in the chesapeake Bay throughout its history. It also had an aquarium and a fossil room. We got in groups and tried to finish the scavenger hunt. After the museum we ate a pasta salad that Offie, one of our support staff, made. It was really good. Then we split up into watches. My watch, Starboard Watch, ran the boat doing navigation, and Robert drove at the helm. Then we switched and Port Watch did navigation while we studied how animals adapt. When we finally docked for the end of the day it was at Slaughter Creek. We swam at a small pool at the marina. Then we set up our camp at a field there. Later, after a stir fry dinner, we played Ultimate Frisbee. My team won both games. Then we went to sleep."
Written by Andrew
Friday, July 2, 2010
Picture post!
A few photos to get a taste of what life is like aboard Mildred Belle.
The crew in front of the boat before leaving Tangier:
Learning about the Bay:
Taking a bearing:
Navigating with First Mate Brendan:
More to come later! We're headed for Taylor's Island tonight, and we'll let you know how it goes!
The crew in front of the boat before leaving Tangier:
Learning about the Bay:
Taking a bearing:
Navigating with First Mate Brendan:
More to come later! We're headed for Taylor's Island tonight, and we'll let you know how it goes!
Mildred Belle, Days 3 and 4
Ahoy landlubbers!
As we make our way back to Solomon's Island this morning, we'd like to fill you in on what we've been up to these past couple days. On Wednesday we visited the beautiful island of Tangier, where students got to interview some locals, visit the fascinating museum, and sample some Spanky's 50s-style ice cream. The following is an introduction to Tangier by one of our students:
"Tangier is a small island in the Chesapeake Bay, about an hour and a half boat ride from Crisfield. It is one of the most isolated places in America. Most of the men there work on the water, while the women work as housewives or run shops. There are 621 people on the island, and many of them were born and raised on Tangier. They all know each other. They speak with kind of a Cornish accent. Since the island is small, instead of using cars they use golf carts and bikes. Unfortunately, Tangier is at sea level, and as the sea level rises, more and more of Tangier is covered in water. Some people do not know what they'll do if they have to leave the island. Tangier is also beautiful. The land not covered with buildings is marshland, and there is even a beach. Wildlife includes: egrets, ibises, ospreys, dogs, cats, and even a squirrel."
Written by Ann-Catherine
Thanks Ann! Now let's take a look at what the students did yesterday, Day 4. Here's your update:
"Today we arrived at the longest part of our trip, a seven-hour boat ride. the goal was to be out on the boat at 8:30 AM, but that didn't happen. On the boat, we engaged in different activities. One group would learn about the bay while another would learn about navigation. Some even got to fully steer the boat, while others either navigated and told them where to go or learned about the bay habitats. When we finally arrived at our destination, we drove out to our campsite and quickly began preparing tents and dinner. Dinner was pasta served with different sauces with broccoli and garlic bread on the side. It was considered by many to be the best dinner so far in the past few days. Afterwards, a big game of ultimate frisbee was started which was A LOT of fun. We ended with a muster (group meeting) to reflect on the past days and went to prepare for bed as we approached the midway point of our trip."
Written by Alex
I'll leave you with that for now. I found my memory card reader so pictures will be up today!
As we make our way back to Solomon's Island this morning, we'd like to fill you in on what we've been up to these past couple days. On Wednesday we visited the beautiful island of Tangier, where students got to interview some locals, visit the fascinating museum, and sample some Spanky's 50s-style ice cream. The following is an introduction to Tangier by one of our students:
"Tangier is a small island in the Chesapeake Bay, about an hour and a half boat ride from Crisfield. It is one of the most isolated places in America. Most of the men there work on the water, while the women work as housewives or run shops. There are 621 people on the island, and many of them were born and raised on Tangier. They all know each other. They speak with kind of a Cornish accent. Since the island is small, instead of using cars they use golf carts and bikes. Unfortunately, Tangier is at sea level, and as the sea level rises, more and more of Tangier is covered in water. Some people do not know what they'll do if they have to leave the island. Tangier is also beautiful. The land not covered with buildings is marshland, and there is even a beach. Wildlife includes: egrets, ibises, ospreys, dogs, cats, and even a squirrel."
Written by Ann-Catherine
Thanks Ann! Now let's take a look at what the students did yesterday, Day 4. Here's your update:
"Today we arrived at the longest part of our trip, a seven-hour boat ride. the goal was to be out on the boat at 8:30 AM, but that didn't happen. On the boat, we engaged in different activities. One group would learn about the bay while another would learn about navigation. Some even got to fully steer the boat, while others either navigated and told them where to go or learned about the bay habitats. When we finally arrived at our destination, we drove out to our campsite and quickly began preparing tents and dinner. Dinner was pasta served with different sauces with broccoli and garlic bread on the side. It was considered by many to be the best dinner so far in the past few days. Afterwards, a big game of ultimate frisbee was started which was A LOT of fun. We ended with a muster (group meeting) to reflect on the past days and went to prepare for bed as we approached the midway point of our trip."
Written by Alex
I'll leave you with that for now. I found my memory card reader so pictures will be up today!
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