| CHAPTER 20 Annapolis, M D/ Baltimore / Cape May to NY City Page 1 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
MAY 31 Day 341
We had planned to leave at 7:00AM, but dark clouds came swiftly from
the west and after checking our weather screen, we decided to wait out
the thunderstorm heading our way. It was moving pretty fast, and the TV
We had planned to leave at 7:00AM, but dark clouds came swiftly from
the west and after checking our weather screen, we decided to wait out
the thunderstorm heading our way. It was moving pretty fast, and the TV
Here is the storm heading over the Chesapeake Bay this morning. |
CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO ENLARGE FOR DETAILS. |
The storm finally let up, and we left the dock at 8:00. Even though we
were in a tight dock area, we both got out easily and were lucky there
was no wind. We went under the Annapolis Bay Bridge and veered to the
whole way and a nice 32 mile ride except for those boat wakes!
were in a tight dock area, we both got out easily and were lucky there
was no wind. We went under the Annapolis Bay Bridge and veered to the
whole way and a nice 32 mile ride except for those boat wakes!
We arrived in Baltimore at Inner Harbor around 12:30. The marina has great cement floating docks
which is a real treat after those fixed docks where you have to climb over railings and deal with
splinters from wooden pilings. The harbor is very protected, gated, and within walking distance of
everything. We took a walk around 5:00 and found a restaurant to have an early supper/late lunch.
Tomorrow we will walk over to the aquarium and take a water taxi to Fort McHenry.
which is a real treat after those fixed docks where you have to climb over railings and deal with
splinters from wooden pilings. The harbor is very protected, gated, and within walking distance of
everything. We took a walk around 5:00 and found a restaurant to have an early supper/late lunch.
Tomorrow we will walk over to the aquarium and take a water taxi to Fort McHenry.
Annapolis Bay Bridge Fort McHenry Entering Baltimore Inner Harbor
View from our boat: Inner Harbor and Aquarium
The Constellation Dinner: pretzels and crab cakes, Caesar Salad and vggiese
JUNE 1 Day 342
After taking Lily for a long walk around the Inner Harbor, we all hopped on a water taxi, and for $9.00
each, you can ride the taxi's all over Baltimore Harbor all day and night. Our first stop was Fort
McHenry. We saw a 15 minute movie about the history of the fort and the Battle of 1812. At the end,
the curtains opened to the side, and you could see the huge flag flying on the hill as the Star Spangled
Banner was sung. We then took a walking tour of the fort which put a whole new light on what was
learned in American history. It was a GREAT visit.
By then it was almost 3:00 and by the time we got on the water taxi back, we would only have a short
time to visit the aquarium since it closes at 5:00. We decided to go back to the boat and rest up. At
6:30 we took another water taxi ride across the harbor near the Marriot and walked a few blocks to
Little Italy for dinner. We thought we'd be doing more cooking on the boat, but when visiting places like
this, you just need to sample some of the local food!
Jim prepared our route for tomorrow's trip on the upper Chesapeake to the C & D Canal, our next stop
before heading to Cape May.
After taking Lily for a long walk around the Inner Harbor, we all hopped on a water taxi, and for $9.00
each, you can ride the taxi's all over Baltimore Harbor all day and night. Our first stop was Fort
McHenry. We saw a 15 minute movie about the history of the fort and the Battle of 1812. At the end,
the curtains opened to the side, and you could see the huge flag flying on the hill as the Star Spangled
Banner was sung. We then took a walking tour of the fort which put a whole new light on what was
learned in American history. It was a GREAT visit.
By then it was almost 3:00 and by the time we got on the water taxi back, we would only have a short
time to visit the aquarium since it closes at 5:00. We decided to go back to the boat and rest up. At
6:30 we took another water taxi ride across the harbor near the Marriot and walked a few blocks to
Little Italy for dinner. We thought we'd be doing more cooking on the boat, but when visiting places like
this, you just need to sample some of the local food!
Jim prepared our route for tomorrow's trip on the upper Chesapeake to the C & D Canal, our next stop
before heading to Cape May.
Painting of the Battle of 1812 Francis Scott Key The Star Spangled Banner View from the fort
A few of the canons The enlisted men's baracks A quaint Baltimore street
The Inner Harbor View of our marina Golden Lily & Highlander
JUNE 2 Day 343
Golden Lily and Highlander left their slips a little before 7:00 AM with light winds. It was a 10 mile ride
down the Patapsco River to the Chesapeake. We had to then cross over to the south side of the bay. We
again had a following sea of 1-2 feet which was what was predicted. When we passed the Aberdeen
Proving Ground, we heard loud explosions like bombs going off. Poor Lily who isn't bothered by thunder (she
just doesn't like rain!), couldn't find a place to go. She finally settled in down below in the companionway
and guest stateroom for a few hours until we passed the area. We then entered the C & D Canal
(Chesakeake and Delaware Canal) where the water smoothed out flat.
The marina we are staying at is right off the canal in a very protected basin. We are docked alongside a
very long floating dock and several feet from our boat is an overgrowth of trees, honeysuckle, and lots of
birds. It's a quiet place. The weather looks good for tomorrow on the Delaware Bay as of this moment,
and of course, that can always change. Thursday and Friday rain is in the forecast and the seas will be
increasing to 2-3 feet, and we know from experience that will be more.
Golden Lily and Highlander left their slips a little before 7:00 AM with light winds. It was a 10 mile ride
down the Patapsco River to the Chesapeake. We had to then cross over to the south side of the bay. We
again had a following sea of 1-2 feet which was what was predicted. When we passed the Aberdeen
Proving Ground, we heard loud explosions like bombs going off. Poor Lily who isn't bothered by thunder (she
just doesn't like rain!), couldn't find a place to go. She finally settled in down below in the companionway
and guest stateroom for a few hours until we passed the area. We then entered the C & D Canal
(Chesakeake and Delaware Canal) where the water smoothed out flat.
The marina we are staying at is right off the canal in a very protected basin. We are docked alongside a
very long floating dock and several feet from our boat is an overgrowth of trees, honeysuckle, and lots of
birds. It's a quiet place. The weather looks good for tomorrow on the Delaware Bay as of this moment,
and of course, that can always change. Thursday and Friday rain is in the forecast and the seas will be
increasing to 2-3 feet, and we know from experience that will be more.
JUNE 3 Day 344
We had planned to leave at 7:00, but checking the weather with the T-storms likely after noon, we
started up the engines and cast the lines at 6:15. A Krogan Whaleback trawler, Papa Whiskey, had the
same idea, and just after we left, he followed next. We left the canal and entered the river portion of
the trip for about 10 miles. Then it opened up into more open water, and finally after 30 miles, we
entered the Delaware Bay. It felt like we were in the ocean, but could see NJ out the port window in
the distance. The seas were just as the forecast predicted...1-2 feet. We had the wind behind us as
well as the current and tide. It was a beautiful ride. However, when we neared noon and were about 12
miles from Cape May, the wind changed to southwest and the current changed, so we now had the 2 foot
waves on our bow. It was a bit choppy, but not uncomfortable. It was reassuring to see a few small
sailboats out on the water.
We came into the Cape May Canal around 1:15, and when we arrived at our marina, we fueled up with
about 200 gallons of diesel. The last time we fueled was in Morehead City, and we still had 400 gallons
in the tank and could have gone all the way home, but it was cheaper to fill up here rather than in CT!
After we got settled in our slip, we spoke to the people on Papa Whiskey, and they invited us and
Highlander over to see their boat. There are quite a few boats here waiting to move north, but as I
write, it is pouring, and the next 2 days appear to be rainy, cold, and windy. Things don't look good until
the weekend. We are all tired from our adventures in Annapolis and Baltimore and for 2 days of travel
in a row. A few rest up days would be fine! Below: Scenes of our trip on the Delaware Bay today.
We had planned to leave at 7:00, but checking the weather with the T-storms likely after noon, we
started up the engines and cast the lines at 6:15. A Krogan Whaleback trawler, Papa Whiskey, had the
same idea, and just after we left, he followed next. We left the canal and entered the river portion of
the trip for about 10 miles. Then it opened up into more open water, and finally after 30 miles, we
entered the Delaware Bay. It felt like we were in the ocean, but could see NJ out the port window in
the distance. The seas were just as the forecast predicted...1-2 feet. We had the wind behind us as
well as the current and tide. It was a beautiful ride. However, when we neared noon and were about 12
miles from Cape May, the wind changed to southwest and the current changed, so we now had the 2 foot
waves on our bow. It was a bit choppy, but not uncomfortable. It was reassuring to see a few small
sailboats out on the water.
We came into the Cape May Canal around 1:15, and when we arrived at our marina, we fueled up with
about 200 gallons of diesel. The last time we fueled was in Morehead City, and we still had 400 gallons
in the tank and could have gone all the way home, but it was cheaper to fill up here rather than in CT!
After we got settled in our slip, we spoke to the people on Papa Whiskey, and they invited us and
Highlander over to see their boat. There are quite a few boats here waiting to move north, but as I
write, it is pouring, and the next 2 days appear to be rainy, cold, and windy. Things don't look good until
the weekend. We are all tired from our adventures in Annapolis and Baltimore and for 2 days of travel
in a row. A few rest up days would be fine! Below: Scenes of our trip on the Delaware Bay today.
Nuclear Plant Lighthouse Freighter Calm Seas Rough Seas
JUNE 4 Day 345
We stayed in port today. It was cold, rainy, and windy. Same for tomorrow!
JUNE 5 Day 346
Today is worse with continued heavy rain, wind, and cold. We are hunkered down and not much to do.
Hopefully tomorrow will be sunny and warm, but we have to watch the wind and sea conditions.
We stayed in port today. It was cold, rainy, and windy. Same for tomorrow!
JUNE 5 Day 346
Today is worse with continued heavy rain, wind, and cold. We are hunkered down and not much to do.
Hopefully tomorrow will be sunny and warm, but we have to watch the wind and sea conditions.