Crab Cakes IV, March 19

John Collins on WBAL promised a cool, gray day with a chance of late day sprinkles - I was not to be disappointed.  With that in mind, and after last year's deluge (where's Bob and Cathy?), I opted for the entire cold weather setup, minus the thermals.  Rolling out of the Benny Barn, I met Barry Spice at the Frederick Road "Outside the Beltway 7-11" about 8am for the quick jaunt down I-97 to the shadow of the Bay Bridge and the pre-designated Denny's.  When we arrived, they was quite a collection of Connies already.  Admiral Caplan was looking over the fleet, as Russell and the N-S contingent, minus John "2-86's" Lippy and H.O. Rick "Wimp Jr" Shirk, rolled in.  The crowd then invaded the Dennys' where a seating area had been properly roped off.  Guy and Clyde "the ferryman" Watson (our host) arrived shortly thereafter.  All told, I counted 22 conc's, two 2-up.

I'm working on a web page for a client, and he wanted a picture or two of a few courthouses on the Eastern Shore - in particular, Queen Anne's and Talbot County.  After Clyde handed out the route sheets (he mentioned those "mythical free ferries" again), I noted I could snag the court house in Queen Anne on the way by- letting Clyde know they can catch me at Queen Anne and MD 404, Benny roared to life.  So with camera in hand, I rolled off first, paid my $2.50, and landed on the Eastern Shore.  About 20 minutes later, I'm peddling around Queen Anne looking for the old courthouse--then it dawns on me.  Dho.  The county seat of Queen Anne's County is Centerville, not Queen Anne.  Dho.  Quickly to cover my stupidity, I head our to MD 404 and await the Connie Convoy.

and down the stretch they come.....

The planned route called for catching the "free ferry" over the Nanticoke River at Woodland, DE on Route 78.  Much to my shock and surprise, the ferry was closed..  Clyde had a good contingency plan in these situations, which I promptly blew off.  Grabbing the bull by the horns, I ventured down a road that did not appear on anyone's map hoping that no one followed me if I was wrong.  Thankfully, the road came out near MD313, which was good enough for me.

The route then called for a trip through Black Water Wildlife Refuge south of Cambridge, then cross US 50, again, to Secretary - home of Suicide Bridge Restaurant.  A few wrong turns later, I doubled back and hit the Black Water Refuge solo. Then onto Suicide Bridge.   Their prices have gone up again since fall, but still well worth it.

Alone, I departed the Bridge to catch another courthouse (Easton) and the one I missed (Centerville), arriving home just before dark.  Just under 300 miles, on reserve, tummy full of crabcakes- there are worse things.

Thanks again.

Post Note: as much as I enjoy maligning and teasing poor Clyde, his ferries, the missed turns and skewed Xerox  map copies, the adventures it brings are well worth it.  If it weren't for these little "side trips", some of these rides could quickly degrade into DU Wing rallies -  looking for Cracker Barrels and soft ice cream.  I prefer the "best damn cheeseburgers in the state" and getting rained on while searching for ferries.