It was supposed to be a 13 day sailcation, with stops in the Rhode River, Solomon's Island, St. Mary's City, and Leonardtown. But Hurricane Ian and then a cold front off the Atlantic altered our plans. We were stuck in Solomon's for 9 days. But we met new friends---other cruisers who were also stuck. And I started watercoloring again, making a sketch log of our experiences. None of that would have happened if we would have made it to our intended destinations. And it was still 12 days of being on the water! And we had a nice stop in Cambridge on our way home.
Century Club: Cheryl Duvall
Monday, September 26, 2022 to Friday, October 7, 2022
Number of days:
12 days
Docked at the "free" wall in Cambridge on our way home
One of 12 days painted in my sailcation journal
A welcomed rainbow after days of rain in Solomon's
Scrubbing the decks during a downpour
Calvert Marine Museum is a favorite
Our green hull stand out in Solomon's
A beautiful sunset in Solomon's (on a day too windy to leave)
Anchored in the Rhode, near a sad sunken sailboat
Monday, September 5, 2022
Number of days:
1 day
Kayaking in our neighborhood
Since we couldn't sail on Labor Day due to malfunctioning engine, we decided to still get on the water---on our kayaks! Our neighborhood has a kayak launch on Gingerville Creek, so we explored the marshes nearby.
Friday, September 2, 2022 to Sunday, September 4, 2022
Number of days:
3 days
Anchored in Hudson Creek
Only one other boat here
Flying our spinnaker
We've never been to the Little Choptank before, so we set sights on that for a stop on our way to Solomon's Island. We had a glorious downwind sail on Friday, with winds from NNE. We were able to fly our colorful gennaker for more than 2/3 of the distance. We anchored just before sunset. But on Saturday morning, just after we weighed anchor, we noted that our engine was overheating. So we dropped the anchor just a few hundred yards from where we had spent the night, so we could troubleshoot. Unfortunately we were now anchored in a popular fishing hole, and I'm sure those powerboaters were wondering why we were ruining their crabbing and fishing with our odd choice of anchoring. After a few hours of bleeding air and other troubleshooting, we returned to our original anchorage for the everning, abandoning our hopes of getting to Solomon's Island. Alas. We wanted to be sure the engine problem was solved. Rather than risk a further distance, we returned one day earlier than planned on this holiday weekend. The engine didn't act up again, which was good because we had to motor most of the way to Annapolis on Sunday due to light winds.
Friday, August 12, 2022 to Sunday, August 14, 2022
Number of days:
3 days
We jybed near this anchored ship
Pausing during our SERC hike
Peaceful anchorage at sunset
Beautiful downwind sail to the Rhode River on Friday. Had trouble with engine starting when we entered the Rhode, in preparation to anchor. We anchored under sail to diagnose problem, and were able to restart engine and then move boat to prefered anchorage past High Island. Ovenight temps were wonderful, in mid-60s. On Saturday, we dinghied to shore and then hiked 3 miles at Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in mid-80's temps-glorious for August! On Sunday, we enjoyed south winds that pushed us back to Annapolis, jybing just once. I love when we can mostly sail!
Saturday, August 6, 2022 to Sunday, August 7, 2022
Number of days:
2 days
sunrise (sleeping in the cockpit)
moonrise at anchor
Sailed to the Severn River. Chase Creek was too tight for anchoring (lots of boats there when we arrived) so we continued to Little Round Bay. We had the place to ourselves. Evening was warm so we slept in the cockpit on new portable berths that my husband made for nights like this!
Saturday, July 30, 2022 to Sunday, July 31, 2022
Number of days:
2 days
installing solar panels
solar panels in place
Spent two light wind days on the boat. We installed 2 new solar panels on the dinghy davits. They are working well. Also did more boat projects, including a deep clean of the decks.
Tuesday, July 19, 2022 to Sunday, July 24, 2022
Number of days:
6 days
With my great-nephew
I spent a staycation in the Annapolis Harbor on mooring ball #31. My husband helped me sail the boat from our marina to the harbor on July 19. I stayed for 5 nights in a heat wave, sleeping in the cockpit every night to catch a few breezes. I had a great time, using the dinghy to get to shore for restaurants, sightseeing, and picking up friends. I returned home sooner than expected due to excessive heat. But I had a blast. My first time staying alone on our boat away from the slip.
Monday, July 11, 2022
Number of days:
1 day
We enjoyed hosting our daughter from New Zealand on our boat in Whitehall Creek.
Sunday, July 10, 2022
Number of days:
1 day
Sailing a Snark
We launched my 21-year old Snark from the dock at Combsberry inn and I had fun sailing it for the last time. I gifted it to a friend a few days later.
Saturday, July 9, 2022
Number of days:
1 day
Oxford Bellevue Ferry
We stayed at the Combsberry Inn near Oxford to celebrate my big birthday, with family from NC, GA, and New Zealand. On an overcast day, we took the Oxford Bellevue Ferry across the Tred Avon river to visit St. Michaels. Fun!