On the advice of a good friend, this spy travelled to St. Michaels early on Sunday morning to board the Patriot at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. My mission was to observe and photograph the log canoe race held on the Miles River. 

Because the agency is committed to monitoring everything that goes on in St. Michaels, I considered my trip to be an agency mission. The mission was a success.

Pictures often provide more intelligence than written reports, even when written by the best spies working for the agency. That is the case here. My photographs give an accurate record of what transpired at Miles on the morning of June 29th. 

If asked, and to date I haven’t been asked, to provide a one-word assessment of what I witnessed, my response would be “beauty.” (Yes, I know, that word does not often appear in this spy’s reports.)

Without further description, here is a sampling of the photos I captured last Sunday morning:

Note that the log canoes are not all the same size. The difference in boat size is factored into determining the winner of the race. The larger log canoes, because they travel faster than the smaller ones, are awarded “time” based on their size. Thus, even though a large log canoe may cross the finish line first, it may not win the race.

Yes, I know it’s a bit complicated, but accuracy in our assessment of the outcome requires us to understand, at least superficially, the rules of the race.

This small log canoe necessitated careful coordination of the crew to avoid an unscheduled swim in the Miles.

This spy wishes he were a sailor, but he’s not—difficulty in determining which boat was doing what was experienced. 

Observing the log canoe race was most enjoyable. I am available for future races.

One last photograph. I took over 200 . . . 

Additional log canoe races are scheduled for July 27 and 28, and Sept. 7, 8, 14, and 15. Information on the races, the Patriot, and the opportunity to purchase tickets can be found at: https://cbmm.org/resources_tags/log-canoe-races/.

 

Agent 8 filed their report on the 14th Annual Easton Airport Day event held on October 12:

Hundreds of spectators were on hand for the annual Easton Airport Day, held in perfect weather, on Saturday, October 12. The event was spectacular.

Attendees browsed dozens of historic military and civilian airplanes, including a C-47 that saw service on D-Day, Stearman biplanes, crop-dusters, helicopters, an A-10 Warthog, and even Engine 25 of the Oxford Fire Department.

The airport’s F-104 Starfighter was available for photo opportunities. Dozens of attendees, most born well after the F-104 left active service with the Air Force, had an opportunity to sit in the plane. 

There were many highlights of the event, including an impressive flyover by 20 aircraft, led by the C-47 “Placid Lassie.”  

Vintage and other aircraft participated in the famous Rubber Chicken Drop Contest, sponsored this year by Bluepoint Hospitality. None of the competitors managed to drop a chicken into a white pickup truck parked in the airfield. One competitor, however, came close, depositing the bird four feet in front of the truck.

Attendees enjoyed two parachute jumps by the Naval Academy Parachute Team. The midshipmen-parachutists demonstrated incredible skill, landing safely in the middle of the airport. Spectators greeted the team with smiles and applause.

Youth had the opportunity to learn about careers in aviation in the Aviation Career Education Tent, sponsored by AECOM.

Gourmands were offered bacon and other delicacies from food trucks. This spy, wary about his cholesterol levels, did not sample the bacon, but reports it looked delicious.

As has been the case in previous years, the much-loved event enjoyed broad community support, including from Qlarant, The Oaks Waterfront Hotel, and Bluepoint Hospitality.

This video is approximately two minutes in length.

No doubt the entire Mid-Shore was a witness to one of the most remarkable lightning storms in recent history last night, but it took an article this morning in the New York Times that indicated that it had achieved national attention.

On Saturday afternoon, Academy Art Museum’s gathered together hundreds of friends and artists to celebrate its 65th birthday this year. It was done on the museum’s wonderful South Street lawn with music, complimentary ice cream, and some fun screen-printing of the AAM’s commemorative poster.

But the fun part for many was to help recreate a historic photoshoot the Museum originally staged for its 25th anniversary. In this case, it required professional equipment for the photographer to find just the right angle to match the original. The Spy can’t wait to see the final edition.

A few spies were at the event and filed this report.

This video is approximately one minute in length. For more information about the Academy Art Museum please go here.