Just Ducky

Chilly start for the next leg

The crew in Annapolis Harbor

After a chilly wake-up temperature of 49 degrees, we set out to tackle the Delaware River. Feeling confident, we decided to follow the same course we followed in 2005 by following close to shore around Cape May Point. As we proceeded, we noticed waves breaking from out of nowhere just ahead of us. That usually means shallow water (rocks maybe?), so we quickly did a 180. If you were following us on SPOT, you probably thought we were already starting our “5 o’clock somewhere celebrations”. It was a wise move even though it took a bit longer. Going aground was still very fresh in our minds.

The Delaware River is wide and since we caught the incoming tide it was a pleasant trip. We made it o Chesapeake City to anchor for the night. It is right on the Delaware-Chesapeake Canal and you can watch the large cargo ships going by. We also saw our first bald eagle.

Having noticed a water leak in the engine area, Mat investigated and it seemed to be coming from the seawater pump. This gismo keeps the engine from overheating- necessary function. So we called a marine supply in Annapolis to see if they had the part and we were pleasantly surprised that they did. First major outlay, but we could change the part ourselves. (Remember when I said what “we” meant?) So, off to Annapolis! Arriving on a Saturday morning was a challenge since there were about 5-6 different sailing races going on as well as harbor tours and a pirate ship to maneuver around. We had a wonderful mooring right in front of the Naval Academy. We also had our first crab dinner. In Maryland, crab is what it’s all about!

Although a bit off the beaten path, we set out for St Michael’s on the eastern shore of Maryland. It is a beautiful spot and the marina was practically empty. Other boats there were locals doing the Chesapeake, not snow birds like us. We got our bikes out and rode around and went for a tasting tour of their local microbrewery and to the Maritime Museum. Another crab dinner under our belts and we were on our way!

The afternoon weather is getting warmer and I even went for a dip when we arrived at Fishing Creek off the Little Choptank River to anchor. But the mornings are still nippy and I can fondly yearn for those hot flashes of yore. One thing that is consistent is how beautiful the sunrises and sunset are. I know some of the splendor is from air pollution but I still marvel at the wonders that God has created for us.

Solomons Island was our next stop. We had memories of their long floating dock for transients but were sorely disappointed when we were put on a dock by ourselves and all of the poopy birds you can think of. I now know what a poop deck is! We got changed to another slip where there were actually people not poopy birds and we met up with a boat we met in Cape May. There was a short finger pier to exit the boat but it was wobbly and did not look at all interesting to me. So over the bow I went instead. See, there’s a solution to everything!

I wish I had a “Life is Good” t-shirt as we entered Mill Creek off Great Wicomico River. So far it’s the best anchorage. The water was deep, the banks lined with trees and beautiful homes. The menhaden fish are all around here and were jumping all around the boat. These fish are processed for fish oil and fertilizer. So next time you take your Omega 3, you now know where it comes from. The book says the estimated population of these fish in the Bay is in the countless billions. As my mom used to say, they couldn’t print it if it wasn’t true. End of geography lesson. As we left the harbor we saw our first dolphin.

We have noticed that except for Cape May, we have not met others going south. No sure if it’s the economy or not, but we expected to meet more by now. The crab traps are not as numerous either – probably no connection, but an observation.

We sat out a predicted storm in Deltaville, VA which turned out to be a non-event. Having passed mile marker 0 for the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) we are now officially out of the Chesapeake Bay in Portsmouth, VA. And we officially found the hot weather. This is our last stop before we enter what is commonly referred to as “The Ditch”. We are taking a different route this time called the Dismal Swamp. It is suppose to be a beautiful cut through to the Albemarle Sound in North Carolina. It doesn’t sound too dismal to me! We look forward to places called the Alligator River, Lockwood’s Folly and Cape Fear with some anxiety, but also look forward to places like Beaufort, Charleston, Savannah, St Simons and St. Augustine with much anticipation.

That’s all for now. I just want you all to know how happy I am that no one knows where in Jersey Snooky is from.