Day 8: Finally, CRABS!

Day Eight met us at a brisk five A.M. wakeup, at least for the first group of crabbers. We met Captain Clay, our trot-lining expert, at the dockside to hop aboard his small crabbing boat and drop the lines. We rotated through taking turns dipping for crabs with the net, being the backup dipper, spotting for crabs from the cabin top, and picking up the caught crabs from the deck with tongs and measuring them. Whenever anyone missed a crab, they got the privilege of standing on the cabin top and serendaing us, one song for every crab missed. Captain Clay was quickly a favorite among the students, and astounded us with his ability to predict a crab on the line long before it was visible under the water. Unfortunately, the boat had some engine troubles and we had to go wait for it to be fixed for a bit, but a mechanic came and the first group was able to hop back aboard and catch a total of 22 crabs. They then switched and worked on their final projects while the second group went out. Because the engine troubles delayed our plans a bit, we skipped going to Gibson's Island and stayed at Rock Hall for a second night so that we could have a crab feast for dinner. While everyone finished their projects and did some tie-dyeing, the crabs we had caught (a final total of over a bushel of monsters) were taken to be steamed. They came back steamed red and coated in Old Bay, and we gorged on crabs, corn, salad and mac-and-cheese. When it got dark, we started a fire and toasted some delicious s'mores over it while remiscing about the trip. On our last night, the feeling was bittersweet; we all missed our families and the luxuries of civilization (not to mention were beginning to smell a bit), but everyone was sad to be on the last night of the voyage.

Day 7: A Cone Jelly Buffet

After waking up on day seven, we walked to see the Wye holly tree, one of the oldest holly trees on the East Coast. It's gnarled branches and burly trunk seemed a bit anticlimatic at first, but upon further meditation we learned to appreciate the tree; to see its age as a testament against the deforestation that has so altered the surrounding landscape over the years. We left the tree to set off on our transit to Rock Hall with a hot sun on our backs, but we were able to escape the heat for a bit when we anchored the Mildred Belle and got to swim off the boat. Even in the middle of the Bay, jellyfish were still a bit of a concern to many, but no one got stung and everyone had a good time. Earlier in the transit, we also had a harrowing experience going under the drawbridge at Kent Narrows, as it is quite the tight squeeze for the Belle to get through; but Captain Joe brought us through without a scratch. We also tried using the trawl net again, with hopes for some fish. We pulled up the net with another load of pure cone jellies, but this time was more exciting because everyone got up the courage to eat one. These deceptively slimy-looking jellies are non-stinging and actually quite edible, and some of us developed quite the taste for them. We arrived at Rock Hall in time to eat dinner before watching a beatiful golden-pink sunset at the nearby beach, and then got a special surprise and privilege in getting to take our SECOND (!) showers of the trip. After reaching new realms of cleanliness, we went to bed looking forward to an early morning and our first chance to go crabbing.

Day Six: Sloshy Shoes and Mounds of Goo

On day six, we had quite a damp morning recovering from the storm the night before, but set off aboard the Belle for Wye Island no worse for the wear, aside from a few sloshy pairs of shoes. A little ways into the transit, we tossed out the trawl net in hopes of getting some fish to observe, but got nothing but a big net full of jellies. After tossing the mounds of goo that they compiled overboard, we all got to hold a jellyfish in an attempt to get over some sting-related fears. It was slimy, but decidedly not so life-threatening as many had anticipated. Upon arriving at Wye Island, we went on a short canoe trip to a creek where we saw two bald eagles nesting, and heard the almost dinosaur-like squawk of some passing great blue herons. We went for a quick swim, then canoed back in time for dinner. After dinner, we went on a hike at dusk down to a beach where there was a gorgeous sunset reflected in the most tranquil waters we had seen yet. As it got dark, we swam with the bio-luminescent, sting-free cone jellies, which glow in the dark every time you disturb one with a swimming stroke. We then hiked back in the dark without flashlights, which unnerved a few but gave us a new appreciation for nighttime in its natural state, free of light pollution. We then went straight to bed, looking forward to our next transit to Rock Hall.

Day Five: Resist the Urge to Keelhaul Students

Day five gave us a nice break from our usual morning routine, as we went for a pre-breakfast hike to the cliffs for fossil hunting. Pouring through the piles of pebbles and broken shells, we found fossilized clay imprints, giant scallop shells, and Captain Joe even found two shark's teeth. We then ate, packed up and set off for Annapolis. During the transit, we passed the lighthouse marking Bloody Point, where old skipjack captains used to "keelhaul" their crews (knock them overboard with the boom so as not to have to pay them). Luckily, we avoided needing to keelhaul any students. Port Watch was on duty, and successfully navigated our way to Annapolis, while Starboard got a chance to do some water quality testing. We arrived at Annapolis after experiencing our first docking at a crowded harbour, and got back in touch with civilization for a bit by walking around downtown. Our campsite at Thomas Point, Outside of Annapolis, was by far the most beautiful we stayed at, located on a point jutting out into the middle of the bay with a waterfront view all around. The kids were ecstatic over our surprise dinner of pizza from Papa John's, and by their one chance to be reunited with their cellphones for a quick call home. As we ate, we were able to watch the lightning flashes of a storm slowly approaching from the Bay, which was as breathtaking as it was foreboding. Luckily, we were able to get in our tents before the storm arrived, and were lulled to sleep by the rain.

Day 4: Fossils and Outhouses

We had another early morning on day four, and after breakfast immediately left and set off for Calvert Cliffs State Park. Once the boat was under way, Starboard got their first shot at being on watch, and did boat checks, navigated our course for us, and even got to steer. Both watches also got to study a blue crab we had found on deck, and meet Squirtle, our resident terrapin turtle and boat pet. Upon arrival at Calvert Cliffs, we had a scavenger hunt at the museum there, at which we saw frolicking river otters and fossils from a prehistoric shark, among other things. We then headed to our new campsite at the state park, which was one of the most beautiful and secluded sites we had stayed at yet. The outhouses and lone water spicket that replaced the luxurious bathhouses we had enjoyed so far were a source of trepidation for some, but we made up for it by having our first campfire. We ate some delicious veggie chili for dinner (the vegetarians were happy), and then sang some songs around the fire before bed.

Day 3: Who Knew You Could Make an Omelette in a Bag?

Day three started with a brisk morning walk along the waterfront, where we saw blue crabs, moon jellies (staff member Anthony ate one!), and barnacles. We then did some peaceful morning yoga, and then enjoyed a big tasty breakfast of omelettes made in ziploc bags. We then took the ferry from Crisfield to Tangier Island, where we got to interview the locals for our final project. We learned that everyone who lives on Tangier is part of a small, tightly knit community that has depended on the blue crab for generations. We got to wander around the tiny town and visit their museum, and then ended our visit to Tangier by getting ice cream to celebrate Daniel's birthday. After coming back to Jane's Island for our second night there, we ate dinner and birthday cake, and then got a special surprise of being allowed our first (and probably only) showers. We went to bed clean and refreshed, and looking forward to our next big day.

Day 2: Don't Anger the Weather Gods

On day two, after a bright and early wakeup, we hopped on the Mildred Belle and ventured to Crisfield, MD, nicknamed "crab capital of the world." Early in the trip, we ran into a giant school of bluefish, so we stopped and watched Captain Joe catch one one so we could all get a closer look. We let the fish go, but the crew suspects that its capture might have angered the "weather gods", as the trip turned into another windy and wavy ride. As we were tossed about by the waves, we learned to tie some knots that would be useful on the boat. Once we reached Crisfield, we took a tour at a local museum where we got to touch soft-shell crabs and learn about the various old methods of crabbing and oystering. We set up camp at Jane's Island, and enjoyed a game of ultimate frisbee before bed.