| Jamestown RI to Saint Michaels MD |
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| September 15th we are hemmed in Jamestown by rain and high winds so we did some research for travels further south and Richard crammed for his Ham License test which he will take in New Bern on October 20th. The thought of having to study and take a test is still a haunting, panic dream from college days for many of us! We spent a quiet but windy night aboard with Quiche Lorraine to warm the cabin and fresh tomato-basil salad. Yum...we do eat well though sometimes it is a chore to keep the creativity up due to limited contact with fresh produce. A lucrative business thought? Also recycling in marinas should always be available and is in some states. Should be mandatory as we do respect the environment and manage to generate a lot of empty, recyclable containers. Just passing thoughts that keep recurring. Sunday we head out under calm skies and meander down Long Island Sound to one of our favorite places, Stonington, CT. Monarch butterflies are passing us on their migration south as today there is no wind! We enjoyed a delightful dinner in town at Noah's. The trees are changing their attire and the air is crisp as we walk around this charming town. |
| The next evening we anchored behind Duck Island, rather remote, after a day of rolly, confused seas, motoring with a significant push behind us as we head down the Sound. The next day was clear and bright with wind so we sailed, quieted Big Blue, our Perkins engine, and sailed on a delightful beam reach for the afternoon. We tucked in behind Norwalk Island for another remote but rolly anchorage. The evening was cool but the next day was warm and sunny. We put back the cockpit cover, our Bimini and enjoyed the sun. More butterflies passed us as we motored across to Port Washington, NY, a new port to us where many sailors jump off from to go through New York City. The launch driver was helpful and friendly and we all three enjoyed the town. Here there is a bit of the urgency of a city with traffic and commerce but the people are friendly and still look you in the eye with a genuine smile. Tomorrow we travel once more through the Big Apple! |
| Our passage on Sept 21st thru NYC is as exhilarating as always, with a huge current behind us. We left Pt Washington at 6 am to catch the current with many others from Canada who are headed to 79th Street up the Hudson River to enjoy the city. We are only passing by as we plan to land once more in Atlantic Highlands, NJ. We were doing 11 knots going through Hell Gate, a famous turn and swirl, with 3 huge barges following close behind, ferries delivering workers up and down the East River and the sound of cars, planes, helicopters and trains filling the air. The noise level is very evident and the fleeting glimpses of the mass of people is so directly opposite to our usual pace. The buildings are a mixture of beauty and decay but we are just passing through, like the butterflies, no one pays us any mind. The city has a life and pulse of it's own. |
| We moored once more in the safe harbor of Atlantic Highlands with the NYC skyline across Sandy Hook Bay. We always enjoy this town, this time finding new dining experiences at Zoe's for breakfast and Bella's for a great martini and dinner. We spent some time with Ann and Bill Corbin, "Final Frontier" and Charlie and Kathy Grove of "My Time Too". Always great to see friends! Our next passage is significant on Sunday, September 23rd but one we have done 3 times down the coast of New Jersey and into Cape May, an overnight trip. We left late in the afternoon, with a clear view of the city behind us and wind in our sails as we rounded Sandy Hook. Unfortunately, at dusk as we put Otis below to fool his bladder, he fell down the companionway steps, catching his leg in his life jacket. He was a trouper and did not complain, balancing on 3 legs, but we felt terrible and very worried about how serious it might be. We took turns sleeping below, very close to him to reassure his and our fears. The morning dawn was beautiful after a calm night with little commercial traffic and fair conditions. We called ahead at Utsch's Marina to see about a vet in the area, which they assured us was readily available. Upon our arrival, a taxi was waiting and we were hustled to the vet. Thank you so much! Otis was examined and found only to have a broken toe, a sore leg and our thankful relief that it wasn't more serious. Another sailor breaks a toe...he is now truly a member of the Crew! We returned to the boat for breakfast and naps, then showers and a quiet evening with a pegleg first mate. We will take a day of rest tomorrow. |
| September 30th we sail to Rock Hall, arriving after a full day of sailing and motoring a long way down the Bay. As we are late in our arrival, we do little exploring but Otis is almost back on all fours as he has a run and roll in the grass. Such simple pleasures. The next morning we enjoyed breakfast at the Snack Shack and then head to Baltimore under clear skies and sails. The wind died and the debris increased as we headed up the Patapsco River so we kept a careful look out. We spotted the buoy commemorating hometown boy, John Phillips Sousa, decorated in the Stars and Stripes. We explored the Inner Harbor as an anchorage but there were abundant people and noise so we opted for the Inner Harbor Marina. Richard walked to the Coast Guard Station to submit his Captains License papers and identification for review, then so sweetly brought home dinner from Whole Foods. Yeah! |
| Our next stop is the Cohansey River to stage our passage thru the C&D Canal. We are followed by Shin Ay, new friends, as we travel up the Delaware in choppy seas. This spot can be quite unforgiving but as we round into the Bay things calm down. We are going up the Cahansey as directed by our friend, Charlie Grove, who has done this many times. Looks shallow to us but he has told us if we hug the green we will be fine. He didn't tell us we had to kiss the green as we entered and we ran hard aground on a shoal. Richard dropped the dink and did some recognisance as Otis supervised. The tide lifted us off and we headed to deeper water, now following Shin Ay! Safe to shore at dusk, docked in strong current, and sundowners with new friends. Maurice, the dockmaster, said we have the right to name the shoal the "The Beesley Bump"! |
| A hot buggy night had us up early with the current slapping the hull. We set off at dawn in golf carts headed to town for breakfast with Bob and Jean. Life in the fast lane! Fun breakfast with the locals. The day is hazy with a threat of thunderstorms as we head out to Chesapeake City. Had to cut the dock line after the current tried to rip out the cleats on our departure. Whew! Missed the Bump on our safe exit. |
| The Dockmaster sold our space out from under us to a higher bidder, power boat, and gave us no notice that we had to move the next morning. Bad business practice, previously noted by other cruisers which will be conveyed further, I am sure. Thankfully , we rafted up to friendlier folk on "Peaceful Easy Feeling" , waiting for weather to pass, on the Town Dock and enjoyed the camaraderie with John and Curt. Sundowners amongst new friends and then to the Yacht Club for a delightful dinner date. |
| October 4th we head to Annapolis under cloudy skies and no wind. Pen baked cookies underway...nice smell. We arrived safely in Spa Creek to raft up to "Final Frontier" once more and enjoyed a pot luck dinner with Ann and Bill and local wharf rats. We are here for the Boat Show again, looking for more stuff to improve our lives and spend the boats bucks. After all, BOAT stands for Break Out Another Thousand and it is sad but very true. There is also a Latitudes & Attitudes Party coinciding with an SSCA rendezvous. Our friends, Roger and Kathy Wilcox are here by land and we welcome them to spend the night. Dancing and a long day prove too much excitement for Pen and we are home to bed early. OOPPS! |
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Travels of the Viking Rose
| We had a short trip to Chesapeake City, the small harbor in the middle of the Chesapeake-Delaware Canal. We had hoped to anchor but Otis' injury made dinghy and companionway up and down difficult. We are hoping that Richard's knees and back hold out under the 80 lb of dog. We docked at the Inn and actually turned on the AC as it was a hot and humid day. Both boys had a long afternoon nap as Pen walked this pretty village. |
| Mid morning we are off the dock with everyone, headed to various ports. We are going to Georgetown on the Sassafras River, again to Sailing Associates. We traversed the Canal by noon and had full sails up as we traveled down the Chesapeake under beautiful clear skies. Yahoo! This is what the Rose is made to do!. We have always enjoyed this facility and have a quiet safe night, looking forward to more of the same tomorrow. |
| We decided to spend a few days exploring this great city which we have visited previously by land. There are many interesting neighborhoods within walking distance and the waterfront has been well planned with mixed use development of commercial and residential ambiance. Ellen and Giles Noghes joined us one evening from Washington, we toasted them with bubbly aboard and then had a great dinner and visit at Cincghale Enoteca. It was fun to have the fellows meet and the girls caught up from long ago college days in Michigan. Our lives have been blessed to send us to many exotic places and vocational experiences. |
| Breakfast with our boats guests and then chores and reprovisioning are due as we borrow Ann and Bill's car to battle the city traffic. Life on land is a dangerous and complex thing. Sunday it was hot as we left for St Michaels with so many others on the Bay. Brother Reg is joining us here and we are glad to be at a quiet and peaceful anchorage just outside the historic harbour. We are very happy to be back as this is one of our favorite places. The main street of shops and frame houses, the maritime museum and welcoming restaurants create a pedestrian community not aways found accessible to mariners. Tomorrow on to Galesville...... |
