Day 216: Off to Cambridge, MD

Day 216: May 18:After rolling a bit throughout the night, I was happy to see the sun begin to peek out over the horizon. Pulled up anchor and got UW at 5:30 a.m., hoping to put some miles behind us before any wind kicked up. It was overcast but the sunrise didn't disappoint. As we made our way out of the anchorage we could see some color start emerging out of the clouds. Before long a rainbow appeared, although the top part of the bow was obscured by clouds. It's gonna be a great day!

Rain was intermittent throughout the day, the sun struggled to show its face. After 2 or 3 hot cups of tea we were still cold. I guess we are chasing 80 again. 

We decided to travel to Cambridge, MD today to meet up with friends Bob and Tracy on Three Sons. They have been cruising for months up and down the east coast and the Bahamas. They are now officially on the loop and will be traveling north. Since we were so close we wanted to stop and spend the evening with them. 

We pulled into Cambridge Yacht Club and tied up at the end of the dock right in front of Three Sons. It is a very friendly marina and easy to get in and out of off the Chesapeake. After chatting for awhile on their boat, Bob and John put their heads together for more boat talk up on our helm. Once again, they traded some new tricks of the trade. 

Cambridge, located on the Choptank River dates back to 1684, making it one of the oldest colonial cities in the state. Originally a seaport community along the river, it has a rich maritime heritage that folks can explore through its museums and historic district. We walked along the street, admiring the lovely old homes. 

We visited the Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center, a small museum in downtown Cambridge, just a few miles from where Ms. Tubman grew up. Hailed as the Moses of Her People, Harriet was a heroic leader in the fight against slavery. The museum made its debut in 1980. Run by volunteers, its mission is to share Harriet's story and preserve her legacy.

The most powerful exhibit in the museum is the "Take My Hand" moving mural which is on the outside of the museum . It was commissioned by the Dorchester Center for the Arts and completed in 2019 by artist Michael Rosato. With no formal training, Rosato has superbly captured the spirit of freedom and those who fought for it.

Inside the museum, another Rosato mural re-creates the Bucktown General Store, the site of Tubman's first act of defiance. As a teenager working in the store, Harriet tried to help an enslaved man avoid capture. During a scuffle, she was hit in the head and suffered seizures for the rest of her life. 

Enjoyed some local beer at RAR brewery (ReAle Revival), a 46 seat taproom that sports a handcrafted cedar bar top along with multiple red oak tables supported by artwork from local artists. Then dinner at Ava's Pizzeria & Wind Bar. Chicken Parmesan and pasta hit the spot. It was a terrific visit with good friends Bob and Tracy.