Day 121, Monday October 21 up the Delaware

Day 121, Monday October 21 up the Delaware

Dawson hooking up instrument for early departure

Up at 5:15 for a start in the dark so that we can catch the current heading up the Delaware Bay.  We look up at the mast as we are underway with the stars shining overhead.  It is quite cool.  At first the current is ebbing so we are only doing about 5 knots, but that is okay as it is dark and we can’t see much other than the navigational aids so slow is good.  It only takes about an hour and the sun is peaking out on the horizon.  We pick our way through the shoals on the southeast of Cape May and round the corner to head north to the C and D canal.  The current has now changed and we are doing over 8 knots an hour which is fast.  We put up our sails, and motorsail so we can maintain our speed.  If we can move at 8 knots, we catch the current for the full day as the current is delayed turning further upstream. 

Sunrise on the Atlantic

It is sunny and warm out and spirits are high.  At one point Julie looked up at the rigging and you could see hundreds of spider webs in the cables.  It was kind of neat.  We kept our eyes peeled for marine life, but only saw jelly fish.  Not a lot of them but a few of all varying sizes.

Buddy Boat

The C&D canal is closed in the morning due to fog.  We are confident it will be open by the time we get there, and sure enough it is.  The canal is easy as there are no locks or lift bridges, just a shortcut to get to Chesapeake Bay, near Baltimore.  About halfway through the canal we do see Miraki, John and Lucy’s boat being towed.  We yell across to them and their motor has lost its prop or the shaft is gone.  We felt helpless but they are being towed by another sailboat so everything seems under control.  There was a marina just a mile back and most parts would be easy to get in this area.

Large cargo ship for Nissan

Gwen and Guillaume on Gozzard

By 4:30 we are pulling into Chesapeake City however the dockage is all taken up and the holding is not good, so we leave as quickly as we came.  We check the charts and head for Bohemian River that a boat named Grace has suggested.  The holding is good, but it is quite shallow.  Only about 7 foot for most of the bay.  We decide given the winds, the anchorage will do, and we drop our hooks.  Slow Waltz has travelled alongside us today and soon we are dining upon their boat sharing more stories and trading knowledge.  We have a great dinner and head back to our boat for the night.

Brandy wine lighthouse

Cheers

Julie and Dawson