NEW JERSEY, HERE WE COME

The next morning, Saturday,May 30 we left bright and early and headed up the Chesapeake. We're not going to bore you with more weather, lets just say it kept us on our toes for the next few days. Our journey up from Solomon to Annapolis was a little rocky, but the Summer Wind is very good for plowing into waves. The windy weather made a great day for sail boats and coming upon the Severn River there were dozens of sailboats all sizes and shapes having a great sail. We tried to capture the blips on screen but our picture just didn't do it justice. Not only were there sailboats, there were trawlers and of course the cigarette boats weaving all around, to think not a traffic light to be found. Everyone was out on their boat, and when we entered the Annapolis mooring field, not one empty ball could be found and several boats were jockeying around looking for empty moorings. Well we decided to give the mooring field a try just above the Spa Creek bridge. There were a few open and we were lucky to get ours because not 10 minutes later they were full. Happy to be in Annapolis we took the dinghy down and ventured into town. The rain didn't appear and the dinghy dock was full, but we squeezed in carefully. We were awed at how many tourists were out and about on the street. They were literally jammed with people and cars. This little town has great boutiques and restaurants. Annapolis,the capital of Maryland is enriched in Navy History and they pay tribute to Alex Haley. Well, we walked our feet off and went back to the Summer Wind. That evening we had a lovely dinner aboard the boat.

The next morning we took the dinghy back into town. We were both very excited because Dick's daughter Debby and her three beautiful girls were joining us for brunch in town. The restaurant was hopping and it was packed. Later we walked around for a bit before saying good bye to the girls. It was lovely seeing them, thank you Debby,Meghan,Lauren and Moira.The rest of the afternoon we spent touring around Annapolis. One of the places we toured was the Naval Academy which in itself was like a huge museum. What looked like the plebes were running,drilling,learning how to march and doing all kinds of exercises. Being the tourists we watched without incident but didn't join in. Couldn't believe even on Sunday they were working hard. We walked through the campus and entered many of the buildings which we allowed and were in awe. Did you know that John Paul Jones was buried in a crypt in their chapel? Did you know there was a Pilot on the space shuttle that graduated from the Naval Academy? We had a great tour of many of the buildings, some historic and others very modern.


The next morning we had to time our departure from Annapolis for the Spa Creek bridge opening. Between 7:30-9:00 it didn't open, so we were up and off the mooring by 6:45 waiting for the 7:00am opening. The Summer Wind also had a 10:30 appointment to be hauled at Worton Creek,31 miles up the bay. The cruise up the last bit of the Chesapeake Bay was a little slow because we were bucking some tide. Shortly by 11:00 we had pulled up to Worton Creek service dock. The entrance to the creek was a little shallow and the depth alarms were screaming. A thru hull valve had to be replaced and the boat needed to be lifted out of the water in order to be fixed. Shortly after lunch the Summer Wind was in the air and getting worked on and by 4:30 that afternoon she was back in the water with a brand new thru hull fitting.

Tuesday June 2nd- We departed Worton Creek to make our last trip this journey through the Chesapeake. Arrived in Chesapeake City at the beginning of the C & D canal to a great surprise. We were able to find a spot on the free dock which the town provides and for $15.00 we were able to plug in our electricity. In all the times we've visited this city we had to anchor in the basin because the dock was always full. Thank god we had the electric because we were able to put on our air conditioning during a hot and humid thunderstorm. On this free dock there is enough room for three boats and we were the lucky ones, only one electric outlet.

Some planning needed to be done for the next leg. The trip down Delaware Bay to Cape May was close to 70 miles. Tide was a very important consideration,so again, we were up at daybreak moved off the dock by 6:30am. Old mother nature was predicting rain and thunderstorms that afternoon but never happened until that evening. We were tucked in nicely in Utsch's marina and had a lovely dinner at the Lobster House when again the heavens opened up with thunder and lightening. No longer was it muggy and humid but cool.

Two slips down from us believe it or not sat a 2001 Heritage East 36 which will have completed the Great Loop when they cross New York City. Charles and Jeanette are heading to Portsmouth,NH with their boat Highlander. Obviously we both wanted to inspect each others boats to see what amenities or changes we would like.

So here it is now Thursday June 4Th and mother nature is holding us back some more. We were hoping to make City Island by this week, but that doesn't seem possible now. Can someone please stop doing the rain dance!!!!
Click on the arrow and enjoy.