Posts Tagged ‘solomons island’

2012 Charter Season has started! Hurrah!!!

Saturday, March 31st, 2012

Welcome to the 2012 season for Schooner Heron Charters, offering custom daysails on the Chesapeake Bay aboard the beautiful staysail schooner, Heron. $390 for up to six people gets you out on the Chesapeake Bay for 5 hours, and lunch is included. Help to sail the boat, or sit back and relax. Your choice. Sailing out of Solomons Island, Maryland, a quick 50 minute drive from the Beltway, Schooner Heron Charters is easy to get to and a great way to enhance your Southern Maryland getaway.

For ease of use and getting the reach, we’re using our Schooner Heron Facebook page to post information about the latest events, charter ideas, and photos from charters showing a lot of smiling folks. Please visit us at that Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Schooner-Heron-Charters/203632606316106

To learn more about the special and wonderful activities planned in Southern Maryland and Solomons Island, please visit the website for the Solomons Business Association.

http://www.solomonsmaryland.com/index.html

Welcome to spring and summer! And come on down for an afternoon sail!

Captain Aram Nersesian

June 20. A dignified (and fun) Anniversary Surprise!

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

Cindy and Mohammad

Sometimes you sense the presence of dignity in a person, and that’s what I felt when I met Mohammad. There was just something quiet and strong about the man. But, I’m ahead of myself a little bit. Cindy booked the charter as a surprise for her husband to celebrate their 22nd wedding anniversary, and a surprise it was! The rest of the family: son Chaz, daughter Layla, and her fiance, Zach, were all in on it. But, Mohammad was clueless as to what was going on. They showed up at my house dressed like they were going to a 5-star restaurant for lunch. I came out to meet them. “You’re going sailing dressed like that?” Mohammad said, “Oh, we’re going sailing?” It was great. They came into the house, met my Zach (my 30-year old African Grey parrot), changed their clothes… and we were off to go sailing.

Chaz at wheel

On my schooner, Heron, I can promise you when you make the drive down to Calvert County and Solomons Island to go out for a sail, I’ll do everything I can to make your charter day as good as it can be. But, I can’t control the weather. I can’t make the sailing more or less exciting or peaceful. This particular day was a “variable” day, as they say… some wind… some movement of the boat… But, not terribly exciting. But, still, the sails had to go up, and as usual, I found a hearty soul willing to do the work. Chaz is a computer guy, still in school, but is also apparently quite the musician, piano being his specialty, and he also wants to make music be a big part of his life. I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to hear him play on one of my keyboards.

Everyone sleeping

This was quite the peaceful day, and from the look of things, this was a well needed, relaxing day. It happens, all the time, that folks will find a spot with the amazingly comfortable blue cushions, and simply fall asleep. Ten minutes… half hour… an hour… Between the breeze, the motion of the boat, the gentle sounds of the water passing by the hull… they’ll have the deepest and most relaxing nap that they’ve had in ages! But, this was a first for me, to have everyone sleeping at the same time! Actually, I loved it. I love that I can give people the chance to relax, to leave “it” all behind for the several hours that we’re out on the Chesapeake Bay. If I could, I’d put the boat on autopilot and join in for a nap. I’ve been tempted…

Titanic shot

I suppose on boats worldwide, people do the “Titanic shot” and yet, this one, with Zach and Layla up forward, on such a pretty day, seemed especially poignant. THAT is a beautiful photograph, and THAT was a beautiful moment.

Zach and Layla

Zach is finishing up school, planning to be a financial adviser. Layla has a year left at UM dental hygiene school, and is already working as a hygienist this summer. If you look carefully… I know the photos are small… you can see some of the cleanest, whitest smiles…  It just feels really nice to meet a group of young people who are so obviously doing well in their lives, working hard to make things happen…

Mohammad cooling off

Now, I mentioned that I felt a tremendous sense of dignity in Mohammad. But, even dignified people can get warm on a hot Chesapeake Bay day. So, he cooled down with a fresh water spritz from my wash-down hose. This is primarily used to wash down the anchor chain before it is stored below, as you pull up the anchor from a muddy bottom. But, on hot days, the spritz of fresh water from my tanks is just what is needed to feel cooler and refreshed.

family shot

In most of my blog articles, I’ve used the expression, “Once again…” and this will be no different. Once again, this turned out to be a great family day, a way for a very close family to spend time together talking, laughing, sleeping, especially to celebrate 22 years of marriage. And once again, I felt honored to be able to share in this intimate time with a really nice group of people.

June 19th was a HOT HOT HOT day… (see first photo)

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

Hot hot hot

What can I say? These ladies were a great fun time! You’re notice the husbands, Fermin and Miguel smiling in every shot. Our charter offering to take folks sailing on the Chesapeake Bay keeps bringing the coolest and nicest people down to Southern Maryland and Solomons Island.

group shot

These two families, husband Fermin, wife Kirstie and son Elias, and husband Miguel, wife Stacy, and daughter Naiya are great friends, and they let me share in a bit of that friendship on the day we went out for a sail on Schooner Heron, looking for wind.

moms and kids

This turned out to be a really great family day. These two children were just a joy to be around. You couldn’t find two better behaved and friendly children, anywhere. When they first pulled up in their car, and I went outside to meet them, little Elias jumped out, came running over, put his arms around me and said, “Are you the Captain? Thank you for taking us sailing.” Jeez…

Fermin and Elias at wheel

First Elias took a turn at the helm, helping his father Fermin figure out where to go…

Miguel and Naiya

Then, it was Naiya’s turn, with the help of father Miguel.

What great conversation we had all day, learning all about what we each did in our lives, what we had done, what we hoped to still do. Fermin is a chiropractor, and director of VA Family Chiropractic Health Center. He gave me some good tips during the day, about my health, and I’m still waiting for the bill to arrive in the mail. Stacy is a writer and Director of Legislative Grassroots for The National Treasury Employees Union, representing federal employees from many agencies. She has since sent me some contacts of literary agencies for my novel… a book which was almost published nine years ago, but which had to be shelved and became an “economic ripple” (because of its storyline) after the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. I really appreciate her help with that. Miguel is an engineer for a major hotel chain, in charge of a huge staff which keeps EVERYTHING running right for their customers. And Kirstie, if I remember correctly, is a stay-at-home Mom… the hardest of all the jobs!

Fermin under bridge

The wind came up and it was a bit choppy out in the Bay, so we took advantage of the SW wind and came back into the Patuxent River, sailing under the Solomons Bridge.

Stacy and Naiya beauty shot

The calmer waters made little Naiya happier, and we were able to sail all the way up to Broome’s Island before having to turn around to head home.

Tennison

On the way back, we passed the Tennison, the tour boat for the Calvert Marine Museum. The Museum is a great place for adults and children, and the Tennison gives you a great ride around Solomons and the Patuxent River.

Kirstie Fermin at wheel

This was a really enjoyable day for me, and for the two families who came aboard. They’re coming again in August, and I’m really looking forward to spending more time with them. What a great benefit for me, meeting people like this… just from taking a simple afternoon sail on the Chesapeake Bay.

The Chesapeake Bay, then the Patuxent River… June 12

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Herb and Connie brought their friends Steve and Janice Lynn and Wayne and Linda along for a day sail aboard Schooner Heron on this breezy and sunny Saturday. It was blowing pretty well, as we made our way past Solomons Island, out the Pax River and into the Bay.

Herb at wheel

Me thinks Herb has a bit of the pirate in him. He had that “Show me that horizon,” look in his eyes as Heron took off in the fresh breeze with her full genoa, staysail and main, and he stood the helm for a good part of the day.

Connie in cockpit

As we sailed along, Connie was finding her sea legs and painted a pretty picture against the backdrop of the Bay.

Wayne standing amidships

Wayne is an ex-Navy Pilot, and ex-aerobatics instructor… I think he was hoping I’d be able to put Heron through a few barrel rolls or loop-dee-loops. Wasn’t gonna happen.

Wayne and Linda

While Wayne and Linda found a nice spot forward of the pilot house on the starboard side, Steve found his spot on the port side of the boat, and (I have his permission to show this photo!!!) a few minutes of gentle rocking and rolling found him snoozing away… mouth open…

Steve Sleeping

In the cockpit, we were wondering if they make suntan lotion for tongues. When Steve woke, he told us that he was bleaching his teeth, the natural way.

Steve at pulpit

Steve found his way forward to that great spot on the bow. He enjoyed it so much, he was up there for about 20 minutes, regardless of the spray that was coming aboard each time we hit a wave.

small boat reefed

After about an hour of charging south down the Bay in a strong SW wind, we turned around and headed back towards the Pax River… the idea being, that we would sail up River, enjoying the strong breeze but making the boat more comfortable in the calm waters of the River. It was still blowing hard, so when we tacked north, I left the staysail wrapped up to make the boat more comfortable for the crew, and we sailed with full genoa and full main. Smaller boats were reefed well down, as the photo above shows. This boat was being well handled with a reefed main, and his genoa rolled in about half way.

small boat full and by

Other boats were having a good time running full and by, all sails up and out, burying their rails and holding on to their drinks. That old sailing adage: One hand for the boat, one hand for the beer!

The race is on!

Whenever there are two sailboats, there is a race. As we were making our way to the mouth of the Patuxent, a handsome sloop was coming up behind, trying to catch us. She was running full and by, and I had my staysail furled, so not only was I underpowered, but the hole in the middle of the sail plan — genoa/nothing/mainsail — was stalling the total airflow and power of the sails. But, Heron held her own, and the sloop was unable to catch us. I kept going back and forth, “I should pull out my staysail and blow his doors off,” and “I’ll keep the sail furled, to keep the boat more comfortable for my crew,” and “It’s just my ego at work, wanting to beat the guy,” and “I want the other captain to feel good about himself, creeping up on a larger boat.” In the end, as we got into the calmer waters of the River, I pulled the staysail out because the wind was being somewhat blanketed by the closeness of land. We indeed quickly pulled away from the sloop.

broad expansive deck

This shot shows the broad expanse of deck that Heron has, allowing her guests to lay about comfortably, in sun or shade, depending on which sails are up and which way we’re going. That sloop is still trying to catch us!

deck forward blue cushions

Here, Connie, Wayne, Linda and Steve are way forward, lounging in these great blue cushions. Available in any marine store, they’re so amazingly comfortable. Adjustable to any angle that you like, your weight provides the stability of the cushion, and the backrest gives you the most wonderful support. We have six of these aboard Heron and guests take them all over the boat to find a spot to relax and enjoy the sail. Nothing like a monster windlass to provide a good arm rest.

kids on banana

As we sailed up River, we saw many folks out on their boats, enjoying the day. In this photo, a boat was pulling a giant banana with six kids hanging on. That looked like a lot of fun.

Solomons Bridge

Coming back down the River, as we headed to the dock, we went under the Solomons Bridge for the second time. Beautiful perspective from down below. When I’m driving over this bridge, I’m always looking at the boats down below. When I sail under the bridge, I’m always thinking of the cars up above. “Where are all those people going?”

Janice Lynn

All in all, another nice day. The SSW wind allowed us to improvise and sail up the Patuxent River, to provide a more comfortable ride for the crew. We lounged around, we ate, we had some lively discussions… What more can you ask for?

What a difference a day makes!

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

June 6th brought Peter and his wife, “birthday girl” Teresa, with their family and friends, down to Solomons Island in Southern Maryland for a charter aboard Schooner Heron, and unlike June 5th, this day we enjoyed strong winds gusting to 25 knots. Peter loved every minute of it. In clandestine emails the week before (hiding the surprise from Teresa), Peter confidently predicted excellent conditions for a sailing day, and sure enough, his predictions were accurate. I think I’m going to start having him buy me lottery tickets!

Teresa

Now, how’s this for romance? 25 years ago, when they were married, Peter told Teresa that he would take her sailing someday. Well… fast forward, 25 years, and here they were. Yes, they’ve been all over the world together in various adventures, but never sailing. This was a surprise for Teresa, right up until the last moment. The rest of the family knew what was going on, but she was in the dark. “Why are we driving to Solomons?” “Whose house is this?” She walked up to my front door, came into my house, and STILL didn’t know who I was or why she was there. Then she was able to look through my back windows and see the boat docked out back, and Peter told her, “We’re going to go for a sail!” You don’t find this kind of romance and creative expression of caring very often in today’s world, and it was really nice to be a part of it all.

Peter at helm

I mean, look at Peter. He’s a big guy, an Administrator at a prison, in charge of the guards… He’s a tough guy. But inside… he’s just a big softy! (Sorry Peter… I didn’t mean to say that! Don’t hurt me!)

I love my job

Once again, I have to say, I love my job.

Justin and Jessica

Peter’s son Justin and his girlfriend Jessica had just come back from a week at the ocean, so they were all tanned up nicely. The hot sun we had on Sunday during the sail was no problem for them.

Paige and Teresa

Daughter Paige, on the other hand, started out the day very white. We all kept an eye on her and made sure she was well coated with sunscreen all day. By day’s end, she had all these weird pink shapes where different things had gotten in the way of the sun. Well, give that a day or two and it all evens out. :)

Justin at main halyard

Once again, with a strong, young man aboard, I got some help in getting up the mainsail. Jeez… with Justin’s muscles, we didn’t really even need to use the winch.

sailboat going past

When we’re out on the Bay, inevitably we have some beautiful boats passing us. Here’s a shot of a beautiful sloop lifting her skirts (my expression for a boat that is heeling way over) as she goes on past.

Peter and Abby

Here’s Peter with his daughter Abby. I’ve said it in blog articles before, and I’ll repeat it every single time, getting out on Schooner Heron for a daysail is a great way for families to spend time together. It just is. Maybe I’ll have a charter later in the season that proves me wrong, but so far, every single charter involving families has been a wonderful time for them to be together.

darkening skies

Towards the end of the day, a day which included a bit of seasickness (but we won’t mention who) (or go into any descriptions), we were chased back to the dock by some very ominous looking clouds and thunderstorm cells. We had come in from the Bay to sail in the calmer waters of the Patuxent River, for the benefit of those who were a wee bit under the weather, but we only got as far as the Solomons Bridge before the dark skies had us shooting back to my dock.

Peter and Aram cropped

And once again, I’ve had to chance to meet some really nice folks whom, without this charter opportunity, I would have never met. I think this is the best part of the whole charter process for me… meeting people like Peter and his family.

May 30th brought light airs, but a good time!

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

Tim Young brought his family and a couple of friends down to Solomons Island for a charter aboard Schooner Heron on a day that provided fairly light air. It was the kind of summertime day that turns white skin pink, so we had to be careful about that.

Tim at wheel

Tim spend most of his time at the wheel, and we managed to have at least three hours where the boat moved well through the water. Tim is thinking of joining the ranks of “boat owner,” so we enjoyed chatting about different kinds of sailboats, pros and cons…It’s pretty exciting to go out, looking for a boat. There are so many options, so many offerings, when looking at sailboats. More interior space, less interior space, better sailing characteristics, sacrificing sailing characteristics for more creature comforts… Where will you be sailing? Around the world? Around the Chesapeake Bay? Up and down the coast? Down the Islands? There is lots to think about and take into consideration before taking the plunge. And of course, no matter what you buy, you’re always thinking of your next boat! But in my case, I think I’ve settled down with my schooner, Heron. I’ve owned her for about 14 years, and I can’t think of another boat I’d like to have over her. What can I say? I’m committed. :)

Zoraida lounging

Tim’s wife Zoraida is from Panama, and it was very interesting chatting with her. She’s wicked smart (can you tell that I’ve lived in Maine?), an engineer, and full of surprises. And, she was a bit of a hero during the charter, but it had nothing to do at all with her noticing another boat close ahead of us while one of us (it wasn’t me, it wasn’t Jennifer, it wasn’t Tim, it wasn’t Michelle, and it wasn’t Zoraida…) was at the helm.

Jennifer and Dan

Tim’s daughter Jennifer and boyfriend Dan were aboard. Jennifer was also wicked smart, and totally into her career, working towards becoming an occupational therapist. She’s just finishing school, but has been working with challenged children already, for a long time. What a pleasure to see a young person doing such fine work, helping others in such a big way.

Dan which way is the beach

Dan, the Man… doing marketing and planning at Lansdowne Resort near Leesburg, VA… He really enjoyed himself on the boat, even though, as I said, we had light airs. When the wind picked up and we started moving along nicely, he really got into it. I asked him, as one point, “Where is the beach?”  This was his reply.

Tim and Michelle

Once again, the daysail was a good way for family and friends to spend time together. Daughter Michelle brought her friend Leanne, and the two hung out together for the day, stopping rays. Leanne was VERY white at the start of the day, but she slathered on plenty of sunscreen and went home sporting a mild pinkish color.

Leanne

And for me, another chance to meet and hang out with some really nice folks. What can I say? I guess the whole concept of a relaxing, personalized, charter aboard a beautiful boat like Schooner Heron really pulls the nice folks out of the woodwork. I’m just enjoying myself meeting interesting and friendly people from all walks of life, all ages, with different backgrounds… and what are we doing? We’re going sailing on the Chesapeake Bay! Whoo Hoo!!!

Tim and Capn

Great Conditions Once Again

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

We’ve had some good luck, down here in Southern Maryland, with Schooner Heron Charters. We’ve had lots of wind, lots of sun… and great people coming down for a sailing charters aboard Heron.

Oris the happy boy

On May 22, we once again had good breezes and bright blue skies on the Chesapeake Bay. Good friends Oris and Noble brought their wives and sister and friend down for a sail. Oris and Noble both are in love with the idea of sailing, with being on the water, and they enjoyed themselves as we talked about boating, sailing “how to’s,” and boat ownership all day. I don’t think either of them had been sailing on a big boat before, yet they were both steering, handling winches under load, and trimming sails like pros.

The boys up front

There was a lot of sun, and we were reminded to protect ourselves against too much of a good thing. Covering up and using sunscreen were the rules of the day, but being early in the season, we tend to forget… so a few of us turned a little pink in spots. Damian finally put a hat over his very red forehead.

Nice shot Damian and Patsy

We really did luck out with conditions, and it’s kinda hard not be all smiles when you’re out on a schooner, sailing out of Solomons Island into the Chesapeake Bay, on such a nice day.

Great shot Noble

For me, tremendous pleasure comes from meeting new folks who are enjoying themselves aboard Heron, sharing bits of our lives… where we’ve been, where we’re going… what do we see in our minds’ eyes for our futures… This type of camaraderie, enjoyed while slicing through the waters of the Bay with the wind in our faces… this is what it’s all about.

Romey, Noble, and Me

Once again, another really enjoyable day aboard Heron.

Amazing grace. 5.15.10

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

I was truly humbled by the group of folks who came down to Southern Maryland for a daysail charter aboard Schooner Heron. These lawyers (I had to be really careful with my contracts and liability waivers!!!) work in immigration law half the time, at Just Law International, and do pro bono work the other half of the time, working on behalf of the Jubilee Campaign around the world. Ann and Bonnie and Valeria and Sonya and Jiyoon and Tarik, and others who were not on board that day, are doing tremendous humanitarian work — stopping genocide, rewriting laws to protect children, helping refugees, fighting human trafficking, protecting orphans, building homes, working against AIDS… the list goes on… — and I would recommend that people go to their website, learn about their work, and do what you can to support them.

Group Shot

Now, back to the charter. AGAIN, a whole lot of wind. But warmer than the last charter. This day, light jackets gave way to t-shirts. And there was plenty of sun.

Bonnie, Jiyoon and Sonya

The fixin’s were pretty good. Bonnie did a good job of putting together some snacks. And sandwiches were flying back and forth, faster than we could eat them. Ann hands out some of the plates of cheese and crackers.

Ann with good fixin's

We took the time to sail under the Solomons Bridge. Amazing perspective from down below.

Going under bridge

If you want to stay out of the sun, or wind, the place to be is under the dodger. Tarik found a nice spot and claimed it for his own.

Tarik under dodger

Valerie had a great time steering, and held the wheel for quite a good part of the day. She steered better than some of my friends who have been sailing for years. Some people pick it up fairly easily, feeling the wind, the water… the way the boat responds… Others don’t reach that level of comfort and harmony. Valerie was definitely in tune with the natural forces that were driving the boat.

Val at wheel

Being forward on the boat is one of the most exciting places to be. Everyone does the “Titanic” thing, with arms outstretched. You get a tremendous sense of the boat, from the bow, especially looking aft. Instead of being on the boat, looking out, you’re almost off the boat, looking inward. I call it the best seat in the house.

Bonnie forward

This turned out to be a perfect day. Perfect conditions. Wonderful and inspiring conversation. Lots of fun. We all went to dinner afterwards in Solomons Island where I was treated to my meal by the group, an unexpected and appreciated treat. Great sailing, great people… What more can you ask?

May 9th brought lots of chilly wind…

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

Rescheduling from a previous weekend, Steve and Lara and friends came down to Solomons Island, in Calvert County, Southern Maryland, for a sailing charter aboard Schooner Heron on a day that started out chilly, stayed chilly, and had more than enough wind to go around. But, they were prepared, with lots of warm layers, ear muffs, gloves, hats… The day turned out to be quite exhilarating. Here, Catalina and Lara are huddling to stay warm.

Lara and Catalina getting warm

One of the most important features of a sailboat is the ability to reduce sail as the wind increases. Reducing sail means to put up smaller sails, reef the mainsail (make it smaller, by lowering a bit of it and tying that off), or in the case of furling sails (which roll up on themselves like a windowshade), to roll them in a bit.

Little bit of wind

Keeping the boat balanced, by adjusting the sail plan so you have the pull of the sails, the “effort” balanced between the front sails and the back sails makes steering the boat much easier. With a schooner rig on Heron, because we have two masts and a wide variety of sails, it is easy to keep the boat balanced and comfortable. Here, Nelson is hanging on, doing a great job at the helm. Nelson has experience racing on small boats, and he has a great feel of the water.

Nelson hanging on

Another point to consider, with sailboats, is that as the wind increases and the boat begins to heel (this is when it gets to be fun!), the wind is spilled over the tops of the sails, so this acts as an automatic way to counteract the effects of sudden strong gusts of wind. Lots of wind, on a properly sailed and balanced boat, means lots of fun. I can’t tell. Was Steve enjoying himself?

Steve at the helm

And even bundled up, sailing can be quite the romantic affair! Steve and Lara… they’re under all those layers somewhere.

Steve and Lara

Now, with all the motion and action, did anyone begin to feel queasy? Nothing worth mentioning!!!

Melissa nice shot

And this photo was definitely not staged. There was really something very important out there on the water.

Steve and Nelson staged

All in all, a great sail on the water with some great folks who loved the raw energy of the day. Another wonderful day for Schooner Heron Charters.

Patuxent Adventure Center - The Place for Outdoor Adventure

Saturday, April 24th, 2010

Schooner Heron edged

When you make a recreational visit to Southern Maryland, try to get in a schooner sail aboard Heron, our beautiful 60′ staysail schooner. Schooner Heron Charters offers the best deal on the Chesapeake Bay to take a personalized schooner sail out of Solomons Island. $390 for a 5-hour daysail charter for 6 people, including lunch! There isn’t a better offer like this, anywhere. Captain Aram Nersesian will do everything he can to make your personalized sailing charter a wonderful experience and a great day on the Chesapeake Bay.

Bikes on racks

Compliment your sailing experience with bicycling and kayaking. Patuxent Adventure Center has kayak and bicycle rentals, as well as lessons, tune-ups, and full repairs. Open six days a week, closed Mondays, Patuxent Adventure Center is your center for all your outdoor needs when you come down to Calvert County for a day or weekend getaway.

Kayak Demo day

May 8th, Patuxent Adventure Center will have a Demo Day at the Solomons Beach on the right side of the main drag going into Solomons Island. Current Designs kayaks will be there in force, and Hurricane and Heritage kayaks will be supports through rentals.

paddle boards

Also, Patuxent Adventure Center now carries Tahoe Stand Up Paddleboards, the lastest craze on the water. These great paddleboards are more for flatwater, and provide higher stability and higher speed/track than stand up paddleboards used in ocean waters.

Kayaks are available on the water, every day, ready for a test paddle. Just let them know what kind of kayak you’re interested in trying out, and they’ll arrange to have a few for side-by-side demonstration. This is really the best way to find the kind of kayak you’re looking for. A 1/2 day kayak rental is $35, and that fee is taken off the price of the kayak if you purchase one.

Sunday, May 16th, the Patuxent Adventure Center is helping to sponsor the Leonardtown Criterium Bicycle Race put on by the Pax Velo Cycling Club. This is a full day of bicycle racing on the square in downtown Leonardtown. Races go all day and the kids race is always a fun time.

Heron aerial

And don’t forget… a visit to Southern Maryland and Solomons Island isn’t really complete without some time out on the water, so plan a day sail aboard Schooner Heron and enjoy the natural beauty of the Chesapeake Bay.