The Chesapeake!

Delaware City turned out to be great fun. We had our usual celebration beer at the local bar "Crabby Dicks" and a quiet night. We weren't sure if we were going to stay another night or move on but decided in the morning that another day in the quiet river (and cheap dockage!) would be nice, and we would have a bit more time to familiarize ourselves with the Bay and where we wanted go.

Sheila and I took on the task of planning the next few days as the boys cleaned the salt off the boats. It's a totally different sailing life, being in salt water, which can rust the stainless and cakes onto the decks ... which is really nasty. So the occasional bath for Trekker is needed.

It's really amazing how much time it takes each time we sit down to plan the next route. Especially when you don't have a clue about the area you are in, or where you want to go. Local knowledge is always welcome, and Hugh has contacted a sister ship of ours (another Hanse 415) who live in the Chesapeake for some guidance. We also have Cruising Guide Books for the area, and of course "The Google"!
So after two hours of researching and discussing, and phone calls, we decided to go across the C and D Canal the next morning (it's very similar to the Erie Canal as it is man made but much shorter and wider to accommodate ships and no locks) and head up to Havre de Grace, Maryland. From there it was decided that a couple of days in Baltimore would be fun before heading for Annapolis.

So with decisions and bookings made, Hugh and I headed off for a walk to explore the small village. We were told that there are live bands in the two (and only) bars on Friday nights so we went to check out times and styles of music. On our way back we noticed that there were a couple of new boats on the dock, a trawler right behind us and another sailboat flying a Canadian flag!! So we quickly went over to the sailboat to say hello, as this is the second Canadian boat we have met since we entered the US. (Zenlatitude is their boat name). They are from Burlington and are also headed south but with plans to go straight to the Caribbean with a rally that goes in a group from Norfolk straight to the BVI's. At this point though, they don't know if it is still a go after the destruction caused by the hurricanes. We had a quick chat and invited them to join us that night at the bar for drinks and music. We also invited the other couple from the trawler to come as well. We all had a great evening, with the girls sitting at one end of the table and the boys at the other end. Lots to talk about and so great hearing other cruisers stories and ideas on living aboard a boat. The night went very quickly and before we knew it, it was midnight!! Wow! Party animals!! Lol!

The next morning before we headed out the girls went to the local farmers market, which turned out to be two small tables from local area farmers.  But we still managed to buy a few fruit and  veggies.

Zenlatitude decided to go with us as well, so we all departed and headed through the C and D Canal. It really was not very exciting, and we did not meet any freighters going through, so all was well. At the end of the canal it turns down the Elk River, and then opens into the Chesapeake!

Entering the C and D canal 

Our first lesson on the Chesapeake was avoiding crab pots. We were warned by our friends who have been here to watch out for them. How hard can it be?  And then, you turn a corner, and all you see is a sea of coloured corks bobbing in the water. It's very intimidating and daunting because if you run over the line from the float to the crab pot it can wrap around your prop, stall the engine and bend things!! So the first time we turned to go across the Bay we quickly turned back into the marked channel ... nope, not that way. We headed down a little further and when it looked "better" we turned, and slowly slalomed our way through the crab pot mine field. I now have a new job, "float look-out", with me standing in the companionway with the binoculars pointing out where it's safe to go. Very stressful!

Our next lesson on the Chesapeake is that it is very shallow, so you really need to follow the marked lanes , which also helps avoid the crab pots. Apparently they don't set them in deeper water. But it's not always possible to stay in the shipping lanes so we are quickly learning.

We arrived at Havre de Grace later than we wanted to, and after talking to the marina on whose mooring ball we were staying, we discovered that the mooring balls had no lines on them to pick up and tie to the boat. What?? I'm not sure if you know what our boat looks like but it is very high up off the water at the bow,  and to try to loop a line through a small ring on a floating ball seemed near impossible. But, as many of you know, my dear captain is very inventive, so after some discussion it was decided that we would back up to the ball, with me lying on the folded down swim platform underneath the dinghy, to grab the ball and loop the line through the eye (just picture it in you mind!). And, of course, it worked!! First try!! Was there ever any doubt?!

The next day we toured the town in the scorching heat.  Its  been very hot here the last few days as I know home has been as well. Summer in autumn! The marina had a courtesy van that we borrowed to go see a couple of sights like the lighthouse, and also enabled us to run to the grocery store for a couple of things. And dinner out, for crab cakes, of course!!

Concord Point Light Station

This morning we headed from Havre de Grace to explore a bit more of the Bay and get closer to Baltimore, which will be our next big destination. We are spending three nights there which I am very excited about.

 So after more research it was decided we would anchor behind an island which is a state park and had some good reviews from other boaters. Everything was going well, (other than no wind so had to motor, again) until we had to turn to go across the Bay and there ahead of us was another mine-field of crab pots. UGH!  We are getting very good at traversing through them.

So right now we are sitting at anchor, the sun is setting, and we should get a beautiful sunset behind us. Hopefully it will cool down once the sun sets. Oh, and we even had a swim!!

Tomorrow, Baltimore! Should be fun!

Stay tuned ... One day at a time!!