Sailing South aboard Lucy III: 2020-21 (Part III - returning North)

  Delaware City Marina, Delaware City, Delaware:  May 29 2021 (day 3)

https://www.google.com/maps/place/39°34'15.2%22N+75°35'25.5%22W/@39.5709051

A very reliable weather source.

Apparently Boston is having similar cool wet weather that is good for my garden back in Watertown.

Marc-  Steph and I have been doing a few boat chores as we stay put in this very safe spot while this weather improves.  Predictions are for improvement by Monday for our departure for Cape May.  We will need to leave at 06:30 to catch the favorable tidal currents.  The open water part of the journey is 50 miles followed by the Cape May Canal.  On Tuesday we head out into the Atlantic for a 40 mile trip to Atlantic City.  On Wednesday we will  50 mile run from Atlantic City to Manasquan.  This is all subject to weather.  Hopefully we can get some sailing in on this part of the trip.

The marina sponsors a captains meeting for navigational and weather advice every evening.

Sailing South aboard Lucy III: 2020-21 (Part III - returning North)

 Delaware City Marina, Delaware City, Delaware:  May 28, 2021 (day 2)

https://www.google.com/maps/place/39°34'15.2%22N+75°35'25.5%22W/@39.5709051

Marc-  We are still here enjoying this small piece of Delaware.  Steph and I first went off on a bike trek some 24 miles in total back up the C & D canal's North side visiting the St. George village and the Summit area marina.  The bike path was newly paved for the first third and otherwise in excellent shape. We encountered other bikers and a few walkers.  The plan was to stop and see the old Country Store in St. George but it is opening June first.  We did speak to the owner who is doing the final preparations.  It was an easy ride ride out but an upwind grind coming back into increasing Northerly wind.  After lunch aboard Lucy III we set out to get ice cream and a few groceries at the local market.  We found an excellent ice cream parlor that seemed fairly busy even for a cool rainy day.  Our next stop was to the Fort Delaware State Park Visitors' Center nearby where we could see some activity.  We found several costumed interpreters who attempted to take us back to life at the Fort in 1864.  The head Park Ranger was also present to explain the history of the area and the Fort. He explained that this Fort was designed to protect the ports of Wilmington and Philadelphia upstream.  The interpreters were great at representing life as an officer's wife and her personal family cook.  There was even a little dancing in large hoop skirts.  

Costumed interpreters

Sailing South aboard Lucy III: 2020-21 (Part III - returning North)

Delaware City Marina, Delaware City, Delaware:  May 27, 2021

https://www.google.com/maps/place/39°34'15.2%22N+75°35'25.5%22W/@39.5709051

Fiddler's Green coming in.

Delaware City Marina is on the old 19th century canal that is still connected to the modern canal.

Marc-  Departure from Chesapeake City at 07:00 to catch a favorable tide through the C &D Canal.  As soon as we left the basin we felt the advantage of a 2 knot current bringing our speed up to 8 knots.  We soon covered the 12 miles to Delaware Bay and turned to starboard toward Cape May.  As we were passing the Salem Nuclear Power Plant on the New Jersey Shore we noticed that Fiddler's Green was dead in the water near us.  Michael indicated that his engine had simply shut down and would not restart.  The engine electronic message screen indicated a sensor had detected an engine malfunction and shut down.  We circled for some time while Michael anchored.  Eventually we rafted up to see if we could help.  Nothing that I could understand to try with the Volvo diesel.  Arrangements were made to proceed to the nearest marina at Delaware City and that Boat US would send a towboat for Fiddler's Green.   The Marina suggested that we come in as soon as possible to take advantage of favorable current.  Lucy III was the first to arrive and settled in for a weekend layover due to weather coming and no docks available in Cape May before Monday.  I also asked the marina mechanic to look at our engine starting issue.  In 15 minutes he had it tested and fixed as a loose wire at the ignition switch.  Fortunately an easy fix.  Fiddler's Green pulled in with Boat US and unfortunately the mechanics here needed help from Volvo specialists who are not available until next week.  

Steph and I visited the town and its shops and ate at Crabby Dick's Restaurant.  Great view on the outside deck of the Delaware River and Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island.  There is an Oil Refinery upstream and we saw two large oil tankers pass.  Michael has returned home to Pompton Plains by car while awaiting boat repairs.  Steph and I will do the best we can here perhaps taking advantage of the extensive bike trails in the area.

I think we are going to like it here.

Crabby Dick's Restaurant 

Delaware City Marina

A working blacksmith's shop.

 

Sailing South aboard Lucy III: 2020-21 (Part III - returning North)

 Chesapeake City Free Docks, Chesapeake City, Maryland:  May 26, 2021

https://www.google.com/maps/place/39°31'38.0%22N+75°48'40.2%22W/@39.5272347,-75.8120806,322m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m9!1m2!2m1!1sChesapeake+City+Free+Docks,+Chesapeake+City,+Maryland!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d39.5272334!4d-75.811154

First rate free docks

Town Clock

Marc-  We had a short day today arriving at Chesapeake City at 13:30 before the thunderstorms came rolling through.  The radar indicates several waves of storms coming through overnight and then a great day tomorrow.  We did find an ice cream shop (unfortunately not the one we visited in the Fall) and most every shop open here.  Michael took us over to the marina next door for a light dinner on the outside deck.  Lots of boaters here.  Fitzgerald needed a walk so we all took him around town where he befriended several of the local people.  I am amazed at all of the 19th century homes that are well maintained here and many with special features.

The neighboring marina.

Closed?

Very nice garden

COOL PORCH

Some of the homes described the previous owners.

Is there a pot of gold in that dinghy?

Sailing South aboard Lucy III: 2020-21 (Part III - returning North)

 Worton Creek Marina, Chestertown, Maryland:  May 25, 2021

https://www.google.com/maps/place/39°16'30.3%22N+76°10'07.2%22W/@39.2750871,-76.1697623,323m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m13!1m6!3m5!1s0x89c7f3d2b1fe3d8d:0xae4342fc33cef33!2sWorton+Creek+Marina!8m2!3d39.2753258!4d-76.1674736!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d39.2750847!4d-76.1686679

Marc-  It was another long day after the best plans to keep it short.  Sue sent us a spare water pump that arrived this morning via UPS at 10:15.  It took me over an hour to install it as it was slightly different than the one on the engine.  In short it works fine and pumps water now without sending half of its capacity into the bilge due to a leaking seal.  At 11:55 I called the Spa Creek Bridge operator for an opening without a response.  Looking over I could see the Bridge closing.  Ten minutes later the operator responded that the Bridge would open at 12:30.  I called at 12: 20 to let him know we were standing by and he opened at 12:25 (must have an old clock).  The outer harbor was a buzz of activity with the Navy Blue Angels Air Show performing for two hours of acrobatic flying.  It. was load and amazing.  After fueling up we crossed through the 1000 or so anchored boats attending the show without incident.

Off we went under Genoa with 10-15 knots of South east wind for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.  Just as we arrived an enormous Evergreen Car Carrier came through the Bridge at high speed making a huge wake (interesting that it was only one large wave 10-12 feet.  The wind dropped off some as we headed North but it stayed with us until we turned up Worton Creek for the night.  This is a nice surprise place with three marinas consisting of 80% sailboats and they welcome transients at reasonable cost.  I had thought of anchoring but I was not feeling well for some reason.

We had originally planned a shorter day given we did not leave Annapolis until almost 13:00 but the stops in between were expensive or exposed to the weather from the South.

Sailing South aboard Lucy III: 2020-21 (Part III - returning North)

 Annapolis Town Moorings, Spa Creek, Annapolis, Maryland:  May 24, 2021 (Day 2)

 https://www.google.com/maps/place/38°58'24.3%22N+76°29'11.1%22W/@38.9734122,-76.4885997,648m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m13!1m6!3m5!1s0x89b7f68849a57df9:0x9b2bb64b00c88e28!2sSpa+Creek+Center!8m2!3d38.9599474!4d-76.5037806!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d38.9734075!4d-76.4864111

A ship that sailed in with us yesterday.

And look at its home port.

Marc-  Yes we are here a second day due to foul weather.  I also discovered a large leak from the main engine water pump (bearing seal failure) and this needs to be replaced.  Fortunately we have a spare but it is home in the basement in Watertown.  Sue is sending it UPS next day.   We did have several hours of dry weather today to visit the Statehouse and tour some more of the Town.  The homes are very Colonial style and some have beautiful features.  Nearly every house has flowers.  We stopped in to a few shops including a book shop/coffee shop and clothing shops.  We found an Irish pub for Michael with outside dining.  Brendan took the bus mid-afternoon for the hour trip to Washington, D.C.  We noticed many Naval cadets in the Shops and about Town today.  There are no classes  at the Academy as it is graduation week.  Saint Mary's School was open and we saw the outdoor gym sessions in the fields by the boat.  Some of the older student had outside lunch in the grassy area under the trees.

Cadets all over town.

Front view from the Statehouse

Notice the Corinthian columns 

Books and coffee

Steph- I loved this bookstore and coffeeshop combo! It was an old converted house with the original fireplace, spiral staircase, and even a sink with books placed around it.  I mean DUDE they had a MIRROR OF ERISED, how cool is that!? And a skeleton with a mask playing the violin. Dope place. 5 stars. 

Lunch spot

The most beautiful doorway in America (per Thomas Jefferson who copied it for his home at Monticello).

Sailing South aboard Lucy III: 2020-21 (Part III - returning North)

Annapolis Town Moorings, Spa Creek, Annapolis, Maryland:  May 23, 2021

 https://www.google.com/maps/place/38°58'24.3%22N+76°29'11.1%22W/@38.9734122,-76.4885997,648m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m13!1m6!3m5!1s0x89b7f68849a57df9:0x9b2bb64b00c88e28!2sSpa+Creek+Center!8m2!3d38.9599474!4d-76.5037806!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d38.9734075!4d-76.4864111

Thomas Point Lighthouse, Annapolis, Maryland

Maryland Statehouse (Easily seen far off in the Bay)

The Naval Academy dome (Easily seen far off in the Bay)

Marc-  Departure was uneventful at 07:30 with Stephanie at the wheel to back out of our slip.  We did a much better job today with watch sharing resulting in a much less exhausted Marc.  We managed excellent sailing with fair winds for 90% of the trip until just outside Annapolis and then the wind started blowing 20 knots from the Northwest exactly where we were going.  We managed well anyway and waited only 10 minutes for the Spa Creek drawbridge.  There were 5 open moorings to pick from when we arrived and we picked one next to Fiddler's Green.

After getting settled we went in Town for ab early dinner and a walk about seeing the Naval Academy, the Statehouse, and St. John's College briefly.

Hot day at the Naval Academy

Spa Creek moorings

Sailing South aboard Lucy III: 2020-21 (Part III - returning North)

 Solomon's Island, Maryland:  May 22, 2021

https://www.google.com/maps/place/38°19'47.4%22N+76°27'33.0%22W/@38.3298375,-76.4613549,654m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x89b7628549cc2a29:0x71219546e586350!2sSolomons,+MD!3b1!8m2!3d38.3184577!4d-76.4541186!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d38.3298221!4d-76.4591536

Solomon's Island

Marc-  Nine hours at the wheel today and I am all in.  Steph slept through noon and then helped out for a bit.  Weather was fine and we made excellent time averaging 6 knots but it was a long haul.  The facilities were excellent at Zanhisers but we missed most of the Saturday afternoon marina party (we did get a few drinks).  Nice walk with Fitzgerald and Brendan around town.  

An example of the. many well maintained homes here.

A home with a private beach.