Penultimate day

"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!

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:

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:

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

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

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

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!