Ship John Shoal light on the Delaware bay and transiting the C&D canal

Saturday, September 25

We  left Cape May at 7:30am and entered the Cape May canal.  By 8:10 we were in the Delaware Bay heading north for the C&D (Chesapeake and Delaware) canal.  Winds were light and variable and the bay was calm.  The water was a dirty brown and full of debris, flotting logs and tree limbs from the heavy rains.  We had to keep a close lookout.  Saw plenty of freighters transiting up and down the channel.   We had the current against us all day so it was a slow trip.  We anchored just off Reedy Island about 4 miles from the entrance to the C&D.  Wanted to wait for morning when the current would be with us to go through the canal. 

Sunday, September 26

Anchor up at 8:45am.  Was a bit of a task—really dug into the mud bottom.    Entered the canal at 9:20am and exited at 1:30.  Finally in the Chesapeake!  We motored down to the Sasafrass River and anchored in Georgetown MD in Dyer creek  around 3:00 pm.  It’s very beautiful and very protected.  Lots of ducks, geese and wildlife.  We’re going to stay here until Jeanne passes through. 

Mystic Jitney at anchor on the Sasafrass River, Georgetown MD

Monday, September 27. 2004

In the morning we took a dinghy ride into the marina at Georgetown.  They have bicycles available to cruisers so we signed out two and rode a couple of miles into the small town of Galena.  Town consists of an intersection, a small gift shop, a couple of antique shops, and a small market.  All within a two block space!  Everyone is very friendly.  The folks in the gift shop gave us their phone number and told us that if it rained too hard tomorrow and we wanted to get off the boat we should call them and they would come and pick us up! 

In the afternoon we took the dinghy up some of the creeks along the river.  We saw a herd of deer grazing down by the water and of course plenty of geese, heron, and ducks.

Tuesday, September 28, 2004

What was left of hurricane Jeanne brought us plenty of rain late in the day so we worked on projects on the boat.  Cleaned the hull before the rains came so the rain washed everything off.  Just about dinner time Alan say a boat coming into the harbor and commented that it looked a lot like the Mystic Whaler.  We both looked and by gosh it was the Mystic Whaler.  It was too funny!  We didn't get a chance to talk to them because it was raining hard and they left early Wednesday morning.  Last night we had some wind and heavy rain until about midnight.  Winds gusted up to 39knots but we're in such a protected area that there were no seas or waves. 

Wednesday, September 29, 2004

Lay over in Georgetown.  Alan worked on the generator - it wouldn't shut off -fixed it and also created a backup shutoff.  Biked into Galena to drop mail at the post office.  Took a day dock($15), charged the batteries with electricity, filled water tanks, and cleaned the boat.

Thursday, September 30, 2005

8:10 am pulled up anchor in light rain and motored in calm seas and rain all morning.  Arrived in Rock Hall harbor at 2:00 pm.  Rock Hall is a charming waterman village, 1950's vintage.  Working crab boats coming and going all day.  Had a tour of one of the Chesapeake Bay "Buy boats" from owner Andy.  It was docked just next to us.  Buy boats were schooners that were modified - masts removed and only a small mast left forward.  They would follow the Chesapeake Bay Skipjacks (oyster boats) and buy their cargo and return it to port for resale.  This allowed the Skipjacks to stay out longer and not have to return to port so often.  Thus these boats  were labeled "Buy Boats".  Today Buy  boats are being restored as pleasure boats.  Andy's boat, "Bessie" was a beautiful example of this.  For the price of dinner at P.E. Pruitts Restaurant and Raw bar we were allowed free overnight dockage.  Had dinner with a retired Coast Guard Commander, Bob, and his wife, Hannah, who we met in the bar.  They have a condo and tug boat in Rock Hall.  Also met Paul and Shelley from a trawler traveling south.  They gave us good information on moorings in Annapolis.  Hope to meet up with them again. 

Chesapeake Bay Buy Boat, "Bessie"                                                                          Chesapeake Bay Crab boat

Friday, October 1, 2004

Morning clear and beautiful sunrise.  Decided to head to Annapolis.  Left the dock at 9:15 am, calm winds and seas again so motored all the way.  Arrived  in Annapolis at noon.  Picked up a town mooring ($25/night) just off the Naval Academy in Annapolis harbor.  Glad we came today because we learned from the harbormaster that at noon on Sunday all the moorings are being cleared out and they will be bringing in the docks for next weeks boat show.  So we paid for two nights mooring and will probably leave on Sunday afternoon.  Spotted "Sea Gypsy" pirate ship entertaining a crew of school children with pirate stories.  Spent the rest of the day exploring Annapolis and its charming streets, homes, and shops.  What a wonderful place!  Spent a little money buying gifts for the kids.  Alan bought Joyce an early birthday present - gold square knot ring (he's so romantic) and we had dinner at Buddy's Crabs and Ribs.

 Chesapeake Bay Bridge at Annapolis                                        "Sea Gypsy" pirate ship

Annapolis