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| CHAPTER 19 Deltaville, VA to Solomons Island to Annapolis, MD Page 1 |
The weather forecast was correct again: Waves 2-3 feet (which is the average
wave height, and you know some will be higher), wind 15MPH. We got underway
at 7:30, an hour after low tide and had only one "skinny" spot coming out of the
channel where we had 1.7 inches under the keel. We had beam seas about 2
feet coming out of the river for 4 miles, and when we rounded the buoy to head
north on the Chesapeake, we had a following sea. The tide and wind were in our
favor, however, the ride was not the best. It was a stomach "flip-flop" day. It
wasn't Lily's favorite trip either. She could not really settle in for long and
kept getting up, thinking she could find a place where it would calm down. She
handled the 4-5 footers when we crossed the Gulf of Mexico better than
today, but taking waves on the bow seem to be easier than a rolling following
sea.
The waves grew to 3 feet with a few 4's built in. Try to think of a clock and
the boat facing 12:00 when heading north. A wave would pick us up and on our
way down, the boat would slide down and shift to the 2:00 position when the
next wave would pick us up and take us to the 10:00 position. It was this way
for about 40 miles when the wind shifted a bit to the west and the seas calmed
down to 2 with a few 3's built in. When we made the turn into the Patuxent
River to the Solomons, the winds picked up to 20MPH form the west, and it was
a bumpy ride until we turned into the creek to the marina. We had dinner at a
local Italian restaurant and settled in for the night...very tired!
wave height, and you know some will be higher), wind 15MPH. We got underway
at 7:30, an hour after low tide and had only one "skinny" spot coming out of the
channel where we had 1.7 inches under the keel. We had beam seas about 2
feet coming out of the river for 4 miles, and when we rounded the buoy to head
north on the Chesapeake, we had a following sea. The tide and wind were in our
favor, however, the ride was not the best. It was a stomach "flip-flop" day. It
wasn't Lily's favorite trip either. She could not really settle in for long and
kept getting up, thinking she could find a place where it would calm down. She
handled the 4-5 footers when we crossed the Gulf of Mexico better than
today, but taking waves on the bow seem to be easier than a rolling following
sea.
The waves grew to 3 feet with a few 4's built in. Try to think of a clock and
the boat facing 12:00 when heading north. A wave would pick us up and on our
way down, the boat would slide down and shift to the 2:00 position when the
next wave would pick us up and take us to the 10:00 position. It was this way
for about 40 miles when the wind shifted a bit to the west and the seas calmed
down to 2 with a few 3's built in. When we made the turn into the Patuxent
River to the Solomons, the winds picked up to 20MPH form the west, and it was
a bumpy ride until we turned into the creek to the marina. We had dinner at a
local Italian restaurant and settled in for the night...very tired!
CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO ENLARGE FOR DETAILS. |
MAY 25 Day 335
The first thing on the agenda today was to walk over to The Captain's Table which was about a mile
walk to have breakfast. We stopped at the Visitors' Center to pick up some local information and maps.
There's a great museum here which we plan to stop at tomorrow. I took my bike off our boat and took
a ride around the area. There are some side streets to ride into town, but then you have to ride on the
very narrow street. There was quite a bit of traffic today being the holiday, but hope during the week
it isn't as busy. It rained for a half hour, but in the distance all around us, we could see dark clouds
and the dark sheets of rain. We had left overs from last night's dinner for supper tonight and settled
in for the evening.
The first thing on the agenda today was to walk over to The Captain's Table which was about a mile
walk to have breakfast. We stopped at the Visitors' Center to pick up some local information and maps.
There's a great museum here which we plan to stop at tomorrow. I took my bike off our boat and took
a ride around the area. There are some side streets to ride into town, but then you have to ride on the
very narrow street. There was quite a bit of traffic today being the holiday, but hope during the week
it isn't as busy. It rained for a half hour, but in the distance all around us, we could see dark clouds
and the dark sheets of rain. We had left overs from last night's dinner for supper tonight and settled
in for the evening.
Our newly decorated stateroom and salon Storm in the distance
It was a quiet night sleeping until a fishing boat leaving the river at 4:30 AM passed by and left a large
wake, waking me up. More boat followed, and I have a hard time sleeping in the bow when that happens,
so I grabbed my pillow and settle in on the couch in the salon. The next thing that woke me was the
wind. The boat started shifting in all directions, and the bowline needed to be moved and another one
needed to be added to keep the bow from swinging away from the dock. The winds must have increased
to over 30+ knots, and several boats on mooring balls next to us moved to a dock. We had some light
rain, but it was mostly wind for the day.
Charlie and Jeanette rented a car from Enterprise and we had to wait an hour for them to pick us up,
then 45 minutes at the office to get the paperwork done. We then headed for Panera Bread for lunch. I
LOVE that place! Next stops were Walmart where we picked up some groceries and a 5 cup Black and
Decker coffee maker. We have been using an old percolator and thought we'd treat ourselves to a Mr.
Coffee. We also made stops at Target and Lowes, then drove back to the marina. By this time it was
close to 6:00, time to feed and walk Lily and make supper...hotdogs and beans topped with shredded
Mexican 4 cheese mixture, and a bag of microwave mixed vegetables. Quick and easy and a pretty tasty
supper.
T-storms are still forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, along with rain and wind, so we are glad to be
tied up and have a car to tour around. Friday it begins to look better with some sun and chance of
T-storms, but Saturday looks like the best day. We still plan to leave Friday for Annapolis if all looks
good. There's lots to see around here if the weather cooperates. Tomorrow we plan to visit and Maritime
Museum just up the road.
MAY 27 Day 337
When we woke up, the sky was cloudy and there was a tremendous amount of fog. It seemed like the
weather report was on target, however, there was no wind as predicted. Charlie took his boat to the
next marina to get fuel and pump out, and by the time he got back, the sun began to shine, and the sky
turned a beautiful blue. The weather forecast was now wrong because it turned out to be the best day
we have seen in week. By then, it was too late to go anywhere. Besides, we had paid up to Thursday and
Charlie had the car rental until then, too. So we made the best of it, and went over to the Calvert
Maritime Museum next door. It was very interesting as you can see from the pictures.
When we woke up, the sky was cloudy and there was a tremendous amount of fog. It seemed like the
weather report was on target, however, there was no wind as predicted. Charlie took his boat to the
next marina to get fuel and pump out, and by the time he got back, the sun began to shine, and the sky
turned a beautiful blue. The weather forecast was now wrong because it turned out to be the best day
we have seen in week. By then, it was too late to go anywhere. Besides, we had paid up to Thursday and
Charlie had the car rental until then, too. So we made the best of it, and went over to the Calvert
Maritime Museum next door. It was very interesting as you can see from the pictures.
Museum entrance This sign explains about the skate to the right. Skate swimming in the pool
Isabel's Gift sign explains about the picture to the right. Bones of whales and sea life up to 14 millions years old.
Skeletons of prehistoric animals found in this area. Skeleton of ancient white shark
Drum Point Lighthouse The rectangular shape off Two of the inside rooms upstairs.
to the side is the outhouse!
to the side is the outhouse!
Later in the afternoon, we heard a knock on the boat. It was Mary and one of her 3 Golden Retrievers,
Cruiser, from the Nordic 42 Quest, also from CT. They have been in FL for the winter and we finally
had the chance to meet up with them. Mary and her husband, Duane, invited us over for snacks. We
haven't seen them for a year, and it was great to catch up on our travels and compare notes on
trawlers. We made one more trip to Walmart to get oil, and I bought some plastic plates with red,
white and blue stripe to match our new color scheme, then stopped at Applebees for a quick dinner.
We are still hoping for a good day to leave on Friday. I hate to look at the weather reports because
they are never right!
Cruiser, from the Nordic 42 Quest, also from CT. They have been in FL for the winter and we finally
had the chance to meet up with them. Mary and her husband, Duane, invited us over for snacks. We
haven't seen them for a year, and it was great to catch up on our travels and compare notes on
trawlers. We made one more trip to Walmart to get oil, and I bought some plastic plates with red,
white and blue stripe to match our new color scheme, then stopped at Applebees for a quick dinner.
We are still hoping for a good day to leave on Friday. I hate to look at the weather reports because
they are never right!
MAY 28 Day 338
We woke up again to fog, however, it cleared by 10:00, and our friends on Quest, left for a 28 mile trip
north on their way Annapolis. Charlie and Jeannette were off doing errands and returned the car rental.
I rode my bike 4 miles around town. Jim programmed his route for our trip to Annapolis tomorrow. We
hope we don't have fog so we can get an early start. Although T-storms and rain have been in the
forecast for yesterday and today, both days were beautiful and sunny. Tomorrow which was supposed to
be the good day, is now set up for storms likely, seas building to 2 feet.
We woke up again to fog, however, it cleared by 10:00, and our friends on Quest, left for a 28 mile trip
north on their way Annapolis. Charlie and Jeannette were off doing errands and returned the car rental.
I rode my bike 4 miles around town. Jim programmed his route for our trip to Annapolis tomorrow. We
hope we don't have fog so we can get an early start. Although T-storms and rain have been in the
forecast for yesterday and today, both days were beautiful and sunny. Tomorrow which was supposed to
be the good day, is now set up for storms likely, seas building to 2 feet.