Frog Mortar Creek, MD

White Pepper spent several days visiting friends, Pamela and Frank, at the Chesapeake Yachting Center. Frank owns the excellent Chesapeake Yachting Center which is a marina at the very head of the Frog Mortar Creek. Frog Mortar Creek is a tributary of the Middle River which is located in the northern reaches of the western shores of the Chesapeake Bay. It is just south of the Aberdeen Proving Grounds. This area is not for the transient and cruising sailor, but we were visiting old friends from the halcyon days at Port Lucaya, Bahamas.

No, I do not know where the name Frog Mortar Creek comes from. But if you are visiting this area do not be put off by the charts. There is 7 foot depth all the way to the very end of the creek even though NOAA charts show 3 feet.

I was stuck by how many boats line the shores of Middle River and its numerous tributaries of which Frog Mortar is only one. Most of the boats are power boats, large and small; however, there are a fair number of traditional sailing yachts. Most of the owners seem to hail from southern Pennsylvania and the rest from Baltimore.

We had a delightful time catching up and visiting. There is a Wal Mart just outside the yard. White Pepper has always said that 'to cruise the East Coast is to know Wal Mart'. White Pepper had the best crab cake ever so far at a local restaurant, “By the Dock” in Middle River, MD. Two days were spent soaking in the pool riding out a local heat wave. Eventually, White Pepper had to say good bye and head for Baltimore, the Inner Harbor.