Sassafras to Baltimore

We finally left the Sassafras River Sunday with a fixed dinghy outboard engine and full fuel tanks. Sunday was a sailors delight.  The wind was behind the beam for a glorious sail down the Bay to Hart-Miller Island, now a Maryland State Park. It has the reputation as a big party spot but we hoped being off season and Sunday night it would be quiet. Our wishes were answered. The anchorage was our private spot for the night. The island itself was a bit of a disappointment in that we expected nature trails for bird watching but the trails were very short and not too many birds to boot.

The next stop was Rock Creek in the town of Pasadena Maryland about 12 miles South East of Baltimore. Very nice quiet protected spot. We were able to dinghy to shore and pick up a few fresh veggies and some fruit. We also had a little adventure getting to a Laundromat.  We read that if we took the dinghy to the end of the creek where a road crossed the creek we could get to a Laundromat, it would only be ½ mile away. True but it didn’t say that we would have to scale up a 45 degree slope of about 20 feet to get to said road. Diana did laundry while David walked further to find a UPS store. David was in luck a West Marine was there too!

Today we motored up into the inner harbor of Baltimore. A very lively vibrant city. We have met a nice couple from Toronto on an Island Packet. Tomorrow my brother Mike and his wife will be here to join us for several days followed by friends from Maine Dave and Carol. We are looking forward to seeing everyone.

Hart-Miller Island

A nice cool drink of water from the Sassafras River in the evening

Stars and Strips Buoy. the place where Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner

Fort McHenry

Off loading raw sugar at the Domino's factor Baltimore Harbor

Georgetown sunset

September 21,

On the 18^th we had winds up to 39 knots and buckets of rain for a few hours. The anchor held and all is well.

The 19^th we moved and anchored again near the Plantation. We dinged in and walked the 2 mile beautiful tree lined dirt road from the Plantation out to the main road. We are out in the middle of nowhere. Nothing but corn and soybean fields all around. We brought our binoculars’ and did some bird watching. We identified about 20 birds, 2 of which were new ones for us. One was a Magnolia Warbler and the other was a Veery Thrush.

Thursday the 20^th we up anchored and went into the town anchorage. There were 3 Canadian boats there. We met one family with 2 children that reminded me of when we went with our boys. We dinged into town. Found a place for lunch then walked 2 miles to the small grocery store. Three of the boats were there stocking up. On the way back we had 2 cars stop and offer us a ride, which we declined. It was nice to stretch our legs.  As we got back to town we got a call from the engine repair shop. The engine is fixed! You know b o a t means, break out another thousand. Costly but we can now move at more than a snails pace with our dinghy. We had a beautiful sun set that evening.

Friday 21^st we have moved out of town and back down the river. Anchored off a nice beach. Hope to go for another walk at the Plantation and a swim later. We will be here until the next low blows through on Saturday night then make our way over to the south side of the river heading to Baltimore.

Harmon Plantation

Mocking Bird

Morning Mist on the Sassafras

Morning Mist on the Sassafras

September 18, 2012

Still in the Sassafras River and expect to be here for a while. On Sunday we took a 2-mile dinghy ride to visit Harmon Plantation. This was established as a tobacco plantation in the late 1600.  A DuPont, a descendant of the original owners, purchased it in the sixties then subsequently made into a museum. One of the most incredible collections of 1800 antiques I have ever seen in one place.

On the return trip we hit a submerged piling in the river that damaged our dinghy outboard prop/engine. Fortunately I had a spare prop but that wasn’t the only problem. The control cable to the tiller handle is not functioning properly making it difficult to shift the engine or control the throttle.

Yesterday we were fortunate to find some very helpful people in our quest to correct the problem. The lady at the repair shop had her son come out to our boat in his runabout to pick up the engine so they could get to it as quickly as possible. Waiting to hear if it can be fixed.

Today is the worst weather day so far. It is blowing 25 Kts and rain on and off. At least we are anchored in a safe place. Tomorrow will be a better day.

September 18, 2012

Still in the Sassafras River and expect to be here for a while. On Sunday we took a 2-mile dinghy ride to visit Harmon Plantation. This was established as a tobacco plantation in the late 1600.  A DuPont, a descendant of the original owners, purchased it in the sixties then subsequently made into a museum. One of the most incredible collections of 1800 antiques I have ever seen in one place.

On the return trip we hit a submerged piling in the river that damaged our dinghy outboard prop/engine. Fortunately I had a spare prop but that wasn’t the only problem. The control cable to the tiller handle is not functioning properly making it difficult to shift the engine or control the throttle.

Yesterday we were fortunate to find some very helpful people in our quest to correct the problem. The lady at the repair shop had her son come out to our boat in his runabout to pick up the engine so they could get to it as quickly as possible. Waiting to hear if it can be fixed.

Today is the worst weather day so far. It is blowing 25 Kts and rain on and off. At least we are anchored in a safe place. Tomorrow will be a better day.

Here are some pictures from the first leg of the journey. Maine to NY. Our internet reception has been spotty at best since we arrived in the Sassafras River.

September 11

After getting fuel at Centerport Harbor we headed to Port Washington. Another day of wind in the wrong direction which means motoring. We got to meet up with Milt and Maryann Stamm and had a wonderful dinner with them. From our boat this evening we could see the twin lights glowing up into the sky honoring the fallen. 11 years ago today.

September 12

At 6:30 am we dropped the mooring line. We headed to NYC. It was fun going under all of the bridges we used to drive over to go to Long Island or NYC. Seeing everything from the water is quite a different perspective. We timed the current right and went through Hell’s Gate then on through NYC. It’s a sight! When we got through the city there was Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Can you imagine arriving on a steamer years ago and seeing her for the first time?

Now it’s time for another overnighter. We leave the city behind and head out between Long Island and Sandy Hook NJ. There isn’t wind so we motor again. Eventually the wind does come up but on the nose so another long motor to the Delaware River. We arrive at dawn. We head up the river to an anchorage at Reedy Island just before the C & D canal.  So 30 hours after leaving Port Washington we finally get to relax, take a shower and make a nice dinner before falling into bed to get some well-welcomed rest.

September 14

This morning it is pea soup fog. We watched the sunrise and the fog roll in. We will leave at 9:30 to catch the tide going through the canal. Thankfully the fog lifted enough so we could see the 100 foot opening in the wall we have to go through to get back in the main part of the river. There were at least 10 other boats all heading to the C & D.  It took about 2 hours to get through the canal. It was first proposed in 1661. It opened in 1829 and had a set of 3 locks. It is now an open water way. Once in the Chesapeake we have to follow the channel here because the water is so shallow.  The wind is on our nose again so we motor to the Sassafras River. Once on the river we are finally were able to sail up to a beautiful spot to anchor in 8ft of water. It’s a hot afternoon so we are soon in the water for a swim and clean the water line of the boat.

We have had a great visit with family and friends here in Centerport. We are off to Port Washington NY this morning and expect to go through NYC tomorrow morning and continue down the NJ coast through the night. Yesterday we had the pleasure of exploring Caumset State Park here on LI, what a jewel. We had a great walk at Sunken Meadow State Park on sunday. Great to stretch after spending nearly two full days on the boat.

The journey has begun. We departed Falmouth Thursday the 6th at 8:50 AM and made an over night passage to the Cape Cod Canal. We entered the canal at day brake in the fog and had a favorable current with us.  We continued the journey on through Buzzards Bay, Block Island Sound, through the Race and into Long Island sound. We decided to do another over night sail because of the 40k of predicted winds in Block Island Sound later today and tonight. We would have been stuck for 2 days somewhere east. We arrived safely but tired at 7am Saturday 8th after 44 hrs of non stop motor sailing 343 miles. We will get to visit with family on Long Island at Centerport, NY.

Closed the doors to the house. On the boat. The weather window is tomorrow morning. Plans are to drop the mooring lines and sail for 20 hours to the Cape Cod canel. Once through the canel we will get through Buzzards Bay and head for Cuttyhunk.

The water tanks and the fuel tanks are full. The beer and wine lockers are full. We are waiting.