They continued on to Cape May NJ via the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and Deleware Bay in a favourable current.
We arrived in NOTL by 22:00 after enduring an hour traffic stoppage in Philadelphia.
Thursday June 30, 2011
After five weeks of cruising, Chris and I have decided that it's time for us to return home. We were able to get a one-way car rental to Niagara Falls NY and got underway at 12:30 after bidding Brian and Joan and "Don't Cha" farewell.
They continued on to Cape May NJ via the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and Deleware Bay in a favourable current.
We arrived in NOTL by 22:00 after enduring an hour traffic stoppage in Philadelphia.
They continued on to Cape May NJ via the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and Deleware Bay in a favourable current.
We arrived in NOTL by 22:00 after enduring an hour traffic stoppage in Philadelphia.
Wednesday June 29, 2011
The humidity had dropped and we awoke to a clear and cooler morning (low 70's).
I did and early morning walk about the area to take in some of the scenes and architecture.
We left the Yacht Basin at around 08:00 and by 09:00 we were passing under the William P. Lane Bridge heading north in Chesapeake Bay.
We only encountered a couple of commercial ships coming south from the C&D canal.
We passed and interesting junk rigged schooner.
We arrived at Chesapeake City MD which is at the west end of the C&D canal and tied up at the free town dock.
I did and early morning walk about the area to take in some of the scenes and architecture.
Annapolis YC
We left the Yacht Basin at around 08:00 and by 09:00 we were passing under the William P. Lane Bridge heading north in Chesapeake Bay.
We only encountered a couple of commercial ships coming south from the C&D canal.
We passed and interesting junk rigged schooner.
We arrived at Chesapeake City MD which is at the west end of the C&D canal and tied up at the free town dock.
Some of the passing traffic - luckily a "no wake" zone
Chesapeake city is very quaint with lots of restored homes and stores from the 1800's.
We went to the Chesapeake Inn for a drink before supper.
Tuesday June 28, 2011
The weather forecast for today had a fairly high probability of thunderstorms which was understandable given the heat and humidity levels. We decided this would be a good day to sit tight and get caught up on some boat chores, provisioning and laundry. No trip to the spa however.
We had a chance to go to Chick & Ruth's Deli for breakfast. An Annapolis institution for breakfast and crab cakes.
While running some errands downtown we encountered some interesting vehicles and vessels.
We had a chance to go to Chick & Ruth's Deli for breakfast. An Annapolis institution for breakfast and crab cakes.
While running some errands downtown we encountered some interesting vehicles and vessels.
Me and the Weinermobile
The "Bull"
Originally built in the 1860's, Sandbaggers were work boats used in New York Harbour to shuttle cargo, such as oysters, to market. The fastest boat to market could set the price of the day. Owners and crew then started to race them with wagers on the outcome. The racing boats had a length restriction, but none on the sail so they kept getting bigger and the masts, boom and sprites longer. In addition to this making the boats faster, it made them tip over more easily. To compensate, the crew would literally move cargo, which evolved to sandbags, from side to side to keep the boats upright. Hence the name "Sandbagger!"
Our Dockmate - "Winning Drive"
(Owner of the Baltimore Ravens NFL team)
Finally the thunderstorms arrived in the early evening producing lots of rain and lightening.
Monday June 27, 2011
We left the Reedville Marina at 08:20 passing a local fisherman on our way out of the harbour.
We had our second day of very light wind and haze as we travelled up the middle of Chesapeake Bay. We entered Maryland at 09:40.
Our critter sighting of the day was a school of rays playing on the surface of the water. We stopped and watched them for about 15 minutes.
There were some more lighthouses along the way ....
Also some commercial traffic.
We arrived at Annapolis Yacht Basin at 17:50 after doing 80 miles, refuelled and got into our slip by 18:15.
We had time for a quick walk about the historic downtown.
We ended up at the Federal House for supper.
We had our second day of very light wind and haze as we travelled up the middle of Chesapeake Bay. We entered Maryland at 09:40.
There were some more lighthouses along the way ....
Also some commercial traffic.
The Florida Highway - an automobile transporter
We arrived at Annapolis Yacht Basin at 17:50 after doing 80 miles, refuelled and got into our slip by 18:15.
We had time for a quick walk about the historic downtown.
We ended up at the Federal House for supper.
Our cumulative totals:
Total distance travelled = 1434.9 nm
Travel time = 202 h 13m
Fuel burn = 1401.2 USgal
Sunday June 26, 2011
Anniversary Day ....
We got underway from the Waterside Marina at around 10:00. Here is the view of Norfolk from the water.
We went across the river to Portsmouth for some discount fuel.
We got underway from there at around 11:00 and continued through the naval and shipping yards to Chesapeake Bay. We got to see a wide variety of naval vessels (about 50) and commercial ship unloading equipment.
It took us a few hours to reach the open water of the bay and we encountered the first of a unique style of Chesapeake Bay lighthouse .... note the design of the external toilet.
We travelled a total of 67 nm today in light northerly winds on the Chesapeake and ended the day at the little town of Reedville, home of the second largest fish processing plant in the US (Dutch Harbour Alaska of "Deadliest Catch" fame has the largest). This fleet of boats fishes for menhaden which are processed to produce Omega-3 oil.
Apparently we were lucky that:
a) It was Sunday and they were not "cooking" fish
b) We were upwind because it still stinks downwind on Sunday
This would have made for a very romantic environment for Brian & Joan's 40th Wedding Anniversary.
We got a dock at the Reedville Marina and had Don't Cha tied up 8 feet away from our dinner table at the "Crazy Crab" restaurant.
We enjoyed some drinks on the boat and terrific seafood at the restaurant followed by some anniversary cake.
And the big surprise for Joan, an anniversary crab!
We got underway from the Waterside Marina at around 10:00. Here is the view of Norfolk from the water.
We went across the river to Portsmouth for some discount fuel.
Portsmouth Harbour
It took us a few hours to reach the open water of the bay and we encountered the first of a unique style of Chesapeake Bay lighthouse .... note the design of the external toilet.
We travelled a total of 67 nm today in light northerly winds on the Chesapeake and ended the day at the little town of Reedville, home of the second largest fish processing plant in the US (Dutch Harbour Alaska of "Deadliest Catch" fame has the largest). This fleet of boats fishes for menhaden which are processed to produce Omega-3 oil.
Apparently we were lucky that:
a) It was Sunday and they were not "cooking" fish
b) We were upwind because it still stinks downwind on Sunday
This would have made for a very romantic environment for Brian & Joan's 40th Wedding Anniversary.
We got a dock at the Reedville Marina and had Don't Cha tied up 8 feet away from our dinner table at the "Crazy Crab" restaurant.
We enjoyed some drinks on the boat and terrific seafood at the restaurant followed by some anniversary cake.
HAPPY 40TH!
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