April 12, 2023 - Flying the Nanticoke and Pokomote Rivers

Today, the plan was to fly the Nanticoke and Pokomoke Rivers.  I've flown parts of them but never their entirety.  Today's the day.

I began by heading towards the town of Seaford, which is at the head of the Nanticoke.

That's Highway 404 below, our normal route to Ocean City.  I never realized that it passes so close to the head of the Tuckahoe Creek, which is just visible at center right.
   
Following Tuckahoe Creek southeast which to the Choptank River.
   
Passing the Choptank River, looking southwest.
   
Passing a little private grass strip called Slater.
   
And there is Seaford, Delaware.
   

Another look at Seaford with the Nanticoke River running through it.

Seaford has a population of 6,928.  I was surprised to learn it has the second highest crime rate in Delware -- Wilmington being the highest.
   
Highway 13 runs through Seaford North-South.   Here, looking north.
   
OK, now I'm heading south down the Nanticoke River.
   
Map of the Eastern Shore rivers with Nanticoke highlighted.
   
A little car ferry crosses the river.
   
Not much civilization south of Seaford near the river.
   
 
   
The little town of Sharptown and the Sharptown Road Bridge.
   
Back to forest.
   
Passing one of the many branches or creeks off the river.
   
Approaching the Nanticoke River Bridge which is where Highway 50 crosses over on its way to Ocean City.
   
Just past the bridge is the little town of Vienna with its big Vienna Generation Center at right.
   
Now the river opens up and enters marshland.
   
More water than land at this point.
   
An unusual-looking little pusher tug boat.
   
Another tug pushes a single barge down the river to the Chesapeake Bay.
   
Close-up of the tug/barge.  What's the cargo?  Grain?  Sawdust?
   
Now entering the Blackwater marsh area.
   
Won't be long now until everything turns green.
   

Then I'm out into the Chesapeake Bay.

Looking down at an interesting sand bar.
   
Heading south down the Eastern Shore, passing by a little trailer-home community.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Still heading south.
   
Pretty sand bars.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
And then I flying by Crisfield Airport.
   
Looks pretty deserted.  It's been years since I landed here.
   
Unfortunately Crisfield's grass runway is no longer in use.
   
The town of Crisfield.
   
Main Street, Crisfield.
   
Looking west at Smith Island.
   
Looking southwest at Tangier Island in the distance.
   
Rounding Cedar Island preparing.
   
Still rounding Cedar Island.
   
Looking north back at Crisfield.
   
Pretty marshy out here.
   
A remote house accessible only by boat.
   
A house with nice waterview.
   
This house is going for the elevated view.
   
And finally, there is is!  The entrance to the Pocomoke River.
   
OK, here we go.
   
Mansion on the Pokomoke River.
   
This river twists and turns quite a bit.
   
Passing by the Vulcan Materials Company.  My guess:  sand and gravel.
   
On the left emerges the Eastern Shore Forest Products company.  Maybe they make telephone poles?
   
What are allthose white containers?  Bags of sawdust?  Wood chips?
   
Soon after comes Pokomoke City, Maryland.  Population 4,184.
   
Not a good picture, but Highway 13 crosses the Pocomoke River into Pocomoke City.
   
The river straightens out after Pocomoke City.
   
Not much civilization on either side.
   
A solitary house/farm on the riverside.
   
How they biting?
   
The river is still sizeable.
   
Some twists and turns.
   
Approaching the town of Snow Hill, Maryland, which I've never been to.  Never heard of, as a matter of fact.
   
A better look at Snow Hill, population 2,103.
   
Beyond Snow Hill the river turns into a jumble and then just ends.
   
I'm fairly close to the Ocean, so I just turn east and head for Assateaque Island.
   
Flying over the bay about to his Assateaque Island.
   
Looking north.
   
You can drive vehicles on the sand here.  Better have four-wheel drive and deflate your tires!
 
   
Lots of vehicles on the beach this day.
   
Checking out the beach action.
   
Lots of campers down there at the Oceanside Walk-in Campground.
   
Assateaque Island State Park.
   
Ocean City ahead but I've seen it multiple times the last two months so I turn northwest and head for home.
   
Passing by a very nice estate on South Point.
   
Climbing up high for transit home.  Boring!  That's Highway 50 down there, heading to Salisbury.
   
Passing by Seaford at high altitude.  So I have made a big circle today.
   
Looking down at the Eastern Shore, about to go feet wet over the Chesapeake Bay.
   
Wings over the Chesapeake!
   
 
   
Previous
Home
Next