We finally got underway again June 20th. The last time we were in the Chesapeake Bay was May 13th, when we found the wrecked sailboat.
We finally got underway at around 10:00 AM after a final check of the engine alignment by the mechanics. While we were there on the hard, I took the opportunity to update all of the software in the autopilot, plotter, and depth finder. The first thing I had to do when we left the harbor, was to re-commission all of the systems. Driving around in a circle to calibrate the compass and letting the autopilot drive the boat for a while to establish the parameters it needs to operate effectively. Everything checked out and we headed north to the Solomons vibration free.
While the boat was out of commission, I also took the opportunity to upgrade the battery system. Before we left in September last year, I had replaced the 2 automobile batteries that supply the “house” 12v., with 2 higher capacity Golf Cart batteries. The house battery supplies all of the power to the boat . The engines have their own batteries and the generator also has a dedicated battery.
During our trip south down the river system, we occasionally spent the night at anchor. After an evening with the anchor light left on all night (required), and the refrigerator running, and a few lights for comfort before bedtime, the batteries were flat by morning. They would charge during the day while the engines were running, and also anytime the generator was running at anchor. The only time they received a full charge was when we were at a marina plugged into power all night.
While we were in Marathon FL in Jan and Feb, I added a 130 watt solar panel and charge controller. During bright sunlight it would add an additional 5-6 amps of charge to the batteries. This helped somewhat, but nights spent at anchor in the Bahamas especially days at a time, the batteries still needed us to run the generator morning and night for an hour or so to keep the batteries up.
I added two more 150 watt solar panels and two more golf cart batteries. 430 Watts, now we had some power!!! 430 watts divided by 12.5 volts gives a theoretical 30+ amps of power. The batteries actually charge at around 20 amps in the bright sunshine. For the first time, the batteries reach charge and the charger cuts back to a maintaining voltage. We can run fans, lights, refrigerator, icemaker, computer and television and still have over 12v in the morning. No more skimping on power!
One of our first encounters in Chesapeake Bay came as we approached the Smith Point Lighthouse. Three targets appeared on the AIS and the radar. They were moving very fast toward us. As they got close, I recognized them as LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushion) Marine hovercraft. Luckily they went on the other side of the Lighthouse. They were using it as a waypoint just as I was!
Hovercraft
Another lighthouse. Not sure I would want to use the outhouse though. It looks like it leans a bit.
An Osprey with it’s meal.
The Zone
We arrived at Solomons Island and anchored in the harbor there. We had travelled over 60 miles today, and with the late start we didn’t arrive until after 7 PM. It took 4 times before we got a good “hook”. We past the “The Zone” tied up to a dock. They were spending some time there. We also got a text from Rick and Roll that they were also at the same marina. We told them that we would be leaving early the next morning and heading for Annapolis, so we didn’t have a chance to visit. Laura and Ross from The Zone served the best sangria ever, on the boat crawl at Norfolk.
Drum Point Lighthouse and Maritime Museum
Since we did our sightseeing of Solomons Island by car, we did not spend any time here. It was a good place to anchor an spend the night (if you can get the anchor to set) and get an early start in the morning. We pulled out at around 8 AM.
Annapolis
We arrived in Annapolis Harbor at around 3 in the afternoon. We had hoped to get a mooring ball in the harbor in lieu of going to a marina. It would be a little less expensive. It so happened that this was a Friday afternoon and nothing was available. There was space to anchor in front of the Naval Academy so we did. There were reports that the anchorage was for naval vessels only and that others in the past have been run off by the harbormaster of the Academy. We tried it anyway. They should let an old retiree alone, I hope.
We lowered the dinghy and headed into town. They provided a dinghy dock so you could come into town and spend money. So we did. We ate and walked around the town a little bit. On the way back to the boat, we took the dinghy down “Ego Alley”, turned around in the basin and headed back to the boat. It was still there!! I guess the Academy wasn’t enforcing the “no anchor” rules this weekend. There were plenty other boats doing the same thing as we.
Dinghy dock at the far end.
Ego Alley from the shore.
Ego Alley from the dinghy.
Even the new construction has an old colonial look to it. This was by the mooring field.
View from our anchorage. Sunset behind us, the moon rising in front of us. This was the “super” full moon at summer solstice. Even in the haze it looked awesome.
Sailboats coming in at sunset.
Sailboats coming in at sunset.
Naval Academy at sunset
We left Annapolis early on Saturday Morning. Started the engines at 6:30, raised anchor and were on the way by 6:45.
Delaware City
We planned to go all the way to Delaware City today. That meant that we had to go all of the way to the end of Chesapeake Bay, through the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, into Delaware Bay. The Bay was beautiful and calm all of the way. The currents were not even that bad. We arrived at around 4 PM and tied up to the dock at the Delaware City Marina.
There happened to be a classic car show that day so I sneaked a shot before he left.
The super moon was so bright, it drowned out the street lights.
We talked with the Dock master and he suggested that if we were leaving the next day for Cape May that we would need to be up and departing around 5:00 in the morning. That wasn’t happening!! He said that in the afternoon that the south winds would quickly build the seas to over 3-4 feet before you get to Cape May. We decided to stay around another day and do some sightseeing.
Cindy’s Observations: NO WAY I’m going to get up at 4 o’clock to try and beat the waves. There are sites to see here and we can wait it out.
There was an old civil war fort located across the bay from Delaware City. I’ll leave it to Cindy to tell you about it and share some pictures.
Cindy’s Observations: Fort Delaware sets on Pea Patch Island in the middle of the Delaware River. Legend states its name came from a ship hauling peas that ran aground and spilled its cargo and sprouted.
Fort Delaware was built in 1819 and later burned down. It was rebuilt in 1848. Its main use was a prisoner of war camp. With 16,000 prisoners and civilians it was one of the states largest towns.
A domestic (laundress) and blacksmith greeted us at the draw bridge. Their costumed living history program has won awards. They took us on a tour of the fort describing all the duties and chores of domestics and soldiers.
The origination of the “RED TAPE” on the Generals desk, If his correspondence did not contain the red ribbon marking, it was ignored.
Hung by your thumbs in the Sallyport of the fort
While Larry stayed in the fort to watch a cannon demonstration,
I took a one on one guided tour to the heron rookery on the Island. This marshland provides protected grounds for water foul nesting sites. Ibis are gathered in the tree. There were eagles, blue heron, great white egrets and a yellow crowned night heron, which the guide was all excited about. Otters in the marsh and several species of heron and birds flew about the observation platform. Birders paradise.
The National Audubon Society has designated Delaware City as a Continentally Important Bird Area (IBA).
Moat around fort with draw bridge.
System for flooding the moat.
In 1951 Pea Patch Island was made one of Delaware's first state parks.
Clinton Street
Beautiful blooming hydrangeas, almost at every house
The Central Hotel circa 1830
Crabby Dicks is the place to eat for some really good coconut encrusted flounder. The popcorn is dusted with old bay seasoning, yum.
The next evening we met with the dock master again and he thought that tomorrow (Monday)would be a much better day, especially in the afternoon, for making the trip to Cape May. The winds would be out of the Southwest and would not make the waves build as high. We would leave later in the day even though the tide would be against us most of the way. I have an aversion to leaving at 5 AM and would much rather fight a little current that get up so early. We pulled out of Delaware City at 9:30 AM. We were going about 9 mph through the water and only making less than 7 mph across the ground. It all evens out though. Toward the end of the trip we were making almost 11 mph!
Larry and Tim checking wind and wave predictions. Reminded me of Fern at Hoppies. Don’t be late for the briefing!
62 miles later at around 4 PM, we pulled into Utschs marina in Cape May. We also spent an additional day in Cape May building our courage. From here to NYC the travel would need to be “outside” in the open ocean. The New Jersey ICW was still in bad shape from hurricane Sandy. The ICW is narrow and shallow and has many unmarked obstacles. We have already had bad luck with uncharted obstacles so we would be going the open ocean route.
Nuclear power plant on the Delaware Bay
Lighthouse tours are available from Cape May out in the Delaware Bay
Entering the ICW into New Jersey at low tide Cape May
The entrance to Utschs Marina required a sharp right turn around the piling.
Sunset dinner from our table at the Lobster House. The flounder with white wine lemon sauce was excellent.
Cape May, Washington Street Mall provides every shoppers needs. Stewarts soda shop served a good burger and orange float. After lunch we road the trolley bus to the southern point of Cape May and back.
Sunset Beach is the on southern most tip of New Jersey. It is America’s oldest seaside resort.
WWII Lookout Tower on Sunset Beach
Cape May Lighthouse 1859, Cape May Point
The entire city of Cape May has been designated as a National historic Landmark because of its conscientious preservation of 19th century architecture and culture. Charming Victorian architecture line the historic streets. Complete with porch decor of days gone by.
This front porch settee was a perfect setting for a family portrait. From across the street I took a shot. I wonder how theirs turned out. Cute cute cute.
Cape May is another town you could spend a few days to relax, shop and soak up some history.
Thursday morning we would leave and head toward Atlantic City with the waves predicted to be 2-4 feet. Not perfect but, manageable!! Our tolerance for waves is building.
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