In the lighthouse...
Below is a large rain garden - filled with rain from the night before! This rain garden is situated on the grounds of the library, immaculately landscaped by local master gardeners.
To the naked eye, it appears that St. Michael's is right at sea level. This was confirmed the morning after a gentle rain. Here's the completely flooded parking lot of the restaurant we ate at the night before (the waterfront view was great, but it sure was not the Bistro - see part 1). You can probably just make out a guy in a blue shirt in the very center of the photo creating a sidewalk with wooden pallets so restaurant goers can actually... go.
Guess it's not a problem for all of St. Michael's residents.
A couple hours later, all is sparkly and right with the world again.
Below, the Chesapeake Maritime Museum is creating a natural shoreline along the bulkhead. The bulkhead alone, being a vertical wall in the water, does not protect against erosion. Creating this shoreline of stone, sand, and bay grass protects against erosion and also provides a home for other plants and animals.
And because this blog is one step away from being a duck and goose blog...
A short drive, rich history, and wonderful food are a combination for a relaxing and low-key weekend. The only potential problem with this town was discovered just as we were about to drive home. In Justine's, a charming ice-cream/espresso shop, my husband read a newspaper clipping that stated Dick Cheney owned a home in St. Michael's. I guess if we go again, I'll have to keep one eye on the gorgeous storefronts and one eye on the people ahead of me or my husband will be strolling the cute streets - ready for a rumble.
To the naked eye, it appears that St. Michael's is right at sea level. This was confirmed the morning after a gentle rain. Here's the completely flooded parking lot of the restaurant we ate at the night before (the waterfront view was great, but it sure was not the Bistro - see part 1). You can probably just make out a guy in a blue shirt in the very center of the photo creating a sidewalk with wooden pallets so restaurant goers can actually... go.
Guess it's not a problem for all of St. Michael's residents.
A couple hours later, all is sparkly and right with the world again.
Below, the Chesapeake Maritime Museum is creating a natural shoreline along the bulkhead. The bulkhead alone, being a vertical wall in the water, does not protect against erosion. Creating this shoreline of stone, sand, and bay grass protects against erosion and also provides a home for other plants and animals.
You know it's the Eastern shore when you spot jellyfish everywhere!
And because this blog is one step away from being a duck and goose blog...
A short drive, rich history, and wonderful food are a combination for a relaxing and low-key weekend. The only potential problem with this town was discovered just as we were about to drive home. In Justine's, a charming ice-cream/espresso shop, my husband read a newspaper clipping that stated Dick Cheney owned a home in St. Michael's. I guess if we go again, I'll have to keep one eye on the gorgeous storefronts and one eye on the people ahead of me or my husband will be strolling the cute streets - ready for a rumble.
After a gentle rain? Yikes! Yum...now i want a big bowl of steaming garlic crabs...lol! Enjoyed your pictures and nice tour, Wendy! You are too funny ;)
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteI love exploring local gems like that - looks like you found a good one. Beautiful photos!
Hi Wendy~~ Being a west coast dweller, your expose on the Atlantic side of things is a nice welcome. You must have had a great time. Luckily you didn't need waders. I imagine the locals have to always have them at the ready. Love the ducks and the before and after. And the potty over the bay...well, we've come a long way, haven't we? :]
ReplyDeleteThese last two posts were a delightful reminder of our one driving trip on the eastern seaboard. You really captured the atmosphere. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThose bathrooms are so funny right? We have those in the village where they sit above the river! Oh those jellyfishes are so amazing... must have been very nice to watch them swim around. I like this place. Looks like a very good to relax and have picnic. Have a pleasant week!
ReplyDeleteI used to live in Silver Spring, MD and in spite of many trips to the Eastern shore I somehow missed St. Michaels. It looks a bit like Annapolis to me. Just what do the villagers do when there's a downpour, if an overnight rain could flood things in the way you've shown?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these lovely pictures and scenery. I love lighthouses. They have a certain historical charm. About the bathroom, with such a bathroom, can you imagine how it will be like for people who wish to jump in for a swim? Yucks! Other than that, the water looks clear and clean, there's no water mark on the buildings even after a flood.
ReplyDeleteAt first I thought those birds were seagulls. Are the ducks reared by people or are they mandarin ducks?
The little town definitely had a lot of charm. I loved how it was small enough to have walked the main streets several times - you can literally walk everywhere, but you never feel overwhelmed. It had more of a seaside charm than Annapolis did. More quaint, but certainly sort of hip too - great brunch restaurants, several coffee places, lots and lots of cool shops (not like a typical strip of shops where every store sells the same tourist trap crap). It's also the kind of place you feel comfortable strolling and shopping, unlike some shops in some little towns. Diversity wise...hmm...not a lot of diversity - at least that I saw, but I still felt comfortable - again unlike some small towns in America.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea about the rain/flooding situation! It was literally a gentle rain that caused this flooding - but you're right Autumn Belle, I didn't notice any watermarks. THe water isn't necessarily nice, but isn't horrible. I did notice lots of beached jellyfish though!
Hi Wendy,I can relate to the sea level flooding! Last month's perigee tides had water up over our seawall's dock. gotta love the Keys. I'm havein' fun exploring your blog. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteScott
Great review and history of St. Michaels! -Makes me want to get over there again soon.
ReplyDeleteThose lighthouse stairs are awesome. For some reason, I've always wanted some like that.
Happy Anniversary.
Wendy,
ReplyDeleteYou found a charming town, that is for sure! No plugged toilets, Ha! You are hilarious! :)
Lighthouses always seem so romantic...until you have to live in one in the dead of winter.
The ducks seem pretty happy there, with all the H20 aroud.
Rosey
What a great place. I love little towns like that to just peruse and see what you find. Thanks for the tour.
ReplyDelete