Working our way toward Norfolk

Well, the visit to St. Michaels was cut short by weather and operator error. We anchored near a couple of larger sailboats, but closer to shore. In the night the wind shifted and we swung closer to shore, as the wind piped up to 25 knots. In the early morning we decided we were in too shallow, and since it was raining off and on, we decided to take off instead of going ashore. As we motored out, Bertha noticed our dinghy was no longer following us. Heading back to the anchorage, we spotted our tender on the shore. Now, to retrieve it.

I motored near another boat anchored close-by, and as I pleaded with the occupant to help us, we ran aground. Backing down hard, we pulled off, but were reluctant to get close again. Finally, some other folks came along in their dingy and offered to help us. Cruisers are sooo helpful!

After about an hour delay, we trailed our dingy out of St. Michaels, having seen nothing of the quaint little town.

We headed south and had good wind, making about 40 miles and arriving at the Little Chaptank River around 1800. Although we were in a snug spot, it was a bit desolate, with no town and no landing spot.

The next day, we take off early. Once outside the river and into the Chesapeake, the wind picks up and we sail briskly across to Solomons Island. Entering the protected harbor around 1630, we proceed directly to the fuel dock, and tank up on water, diesel fuel and gasoline. We also get a pump-out before heading over to Mill Creek for the night. Again, the wind howls and the rigging slats and groans all night long.

In the morning, we fear we have dragged anchor a couple hundred feet, and decide to move. We motor around to Back Creek, which is closer to town, where we attempt to pick up a mooring. None is available, as most are taken by a large fleet of Canadian boats, all headed south for the winter. We finally anchor in the middle of the Back Creek channel, in spite of the traffic. Later we dingy ashore and walk the entire expanse of Solomons Island before stopping to enjoy a delightful meal at the Dry Dock.

On Monday, most of the Canadians leave, and we put the bikes ashore and go grocery shopping. After putting the groceries aboard, we head out again, this time to Calvert Cliffs with a picnic lunch. It's an 8-mile ride, and well worth it. At the cliffs we find some fossils, and sharks' teeth in the sand. Biking back through the woods is really fine. It's a crisp autumn afternoon, and the leaves are just turning. We settle for fast food on the way back. We're HUNGRY!

Back at the harbor, we pick up our dirty clothes and head for Zahniser's Marina where we enjoy HOT SHOWERS and wash some clothes. Tomorrow we travel again.

We get off around 0900 heading for Reedville. It's a good day for sailing, clear and north winds around 15 knots. But in the early afternoon the wind pipes up to 20 and we are carrying full sail. We scoot in, and furl the jib with difficulty. We arrive around 1630 and wind our way up the creek to a snug anchorage. Time to hunker down for BLOW.

The next day, Roy makes his third attempt to install a satellite radio, finally getting one that works. Meanwhile, Bertha gets a chance to re-connect with friends back at DMR and elsewhere in Massachusetts. Success at last! It's great to have sound in the cabin again. More work will be needed to get the cockpit speakers up and running. And now we'll subscribe to XM.

After a late lunch, we go ashore and tour the Fishermen's Museum. Reedville is the home of old Menhaden Factory town, with several defunct plants and lots of rotting old hulk. There is still an active ship, but the industry is definitely on its last legs. The museum is wonderful. Two volunteers give us a guided tour - we're 50% of the day's visiting public. Later, we walk to Tommy's for supper, and meet some interesting characters working on a 52 foot catamaran.

On Thursday, we depart for Kilmarnock, just 20 miles down the coast. We're on a mission there as we need to purchase some engine part at American Diesel located there. It's not as windy, and we sail quietly in a gentle breeze. We anchor way up the creek near a grain elevator used to load some sort of grain on barges. It's nice that the wind has calmed. We enjoy a clear sunset before supper. Once the sun goes down, it gets cool, and we button up the boat early.

We're starting to get anxious about getting South before it gets any colder.