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.
Century Club: Cheryl Duvall
Monday, September 5, 2022
Number of days:
1 day
Kayaking in our neighborhood
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!
Friday, July 1, 2022 to Monday, July 4, 2022
Number of days:
4 days
Fireworks on July 3
We had a great long weekend in Swan Creek, with hopes of watching fireworks on Sunday July 3, which we did! But on Sat evening, a big storm came through and when the winds shifted from the south to the north overnight, our 5'5" draft sailboat went aground in the shallower waters to our south. We had 75' of chain out, and didnt' drag, but weren't aware the depths were so shallow on the lee side of our boat on Sunday morning. We were able to get away at the highest of high tide on the 4th of July but not without drawing lots of attention over the holiday weekend when our boat leaned starboard up to 13 degrees at the lowest of tide. I'd like to propose an article to Molly about our experience-LOL. We want to title it: High and Dry on the Fourth of July.