The cockpit deck is sparkling.
Still Pond is really still.
Still Pond is empty!
Rock Hall Landing Marina B Dock - our favorite!
Rock Hall Landing Marina.
Parkside to Still Pond: I arrived to the boat around 10:00 o'clock in the morning and started getting things ready for Katie's visit. I filled the water tanks and did a final deck clean. Everyone else arrived around 2:00 PM and we took time to stow all the gear and food. Then a storm blew through and we waited. So we left with no wind and motored all the way going behind pools island to, of course our favorite anchorage, Still Pond. Anchoring went well and we took a quick swim after deploying the dinghy. Then dinner of shrimp kabobs on the grill, cucumber salad, and rice pudding. We had great brownies for dessert enjoying the sunset. We sat out watching the stars waiting for the boat to cool down. Finally, bedtime.
Still Pond: I was up around 7:00 AM to make coffee. Everyone finally was out and about around nine AM and we enjoyed banana cranberry bread with our coffee and then had a nice breakfast of bacon and eggs. We had a quick swim and then got back on board for some snacks. Katie and I fabricated an anchor trip line and weighed the anchor to attach it and then deployed it with the trip line. It seems to work nicely. Lunch was down below of sandwiches, chips, and fruit, and once again brownies, before we took a nice dinghy ride. We traveled into both creeks and ventured off for a visit to Marty and Stephanie’s boat. We returned to the boat for another swim. Finally, everyone got out and showered for games and appetizers while the engine ran to charge the batteries. Dinner of grilled steak, corn, and cucumber salad. A short storm blew through forcing us to close up for a bit but eventually it was quiet. Bedtime, but only after Gelato and brownies.
Still Pond to Rock Hall Landing: once again, I was up at 7:00 and made coffee and so and I sat in the cockpit watching nature. After a bit, Sue made sausage and gravy over biscuits. Everyone enjoyed a wonderful breakfast. We cleaned up and then went out for a swim. I inspected the anchor trip buoy and found blue markings indicating we ran over it during over the night. Very interesting, and insightful as to what happens when we aren’t watching. Then we recovered the dinghy engine and prepared the dingy to be towed. Katie and I recovered the anchor as Sue motored out of still pond. The winds were goods, so I was preparing to deploy the sails them when I noticed that we were sliding through the water. I checked the boat speed, and we were only going 2 knots with the engine at almost 2000 RPM. I slowed down and wiggled the helm and 5 crab pots popped up behind us. Sue was furious as she was being careful to stay clear of them. She then stood up on deck and saw a line that was submerged under the high tide, which was cause for concern. Eventually we made it out into the Bay without issues and started sailing. After about 90 minutes we slowed down two less than three knots on a run so we dropped the sails to motor to Rock Hall Landing. It was a low tide so when I went through the cut I traveled very slowly. I never saw less than six feet so all was good. The weather turned cool and rainy, and it was good to be tide up pier side. We took showers and got ready for dinner at Waterman's Crab House where we feasted on large crabs, calamari, and hush puppies. Afterwards, we returned to the boat, relaxed a bit, played a game in the cockpit and called boaters midnight.
Rock Hall Landing to Parkside: I awakened this morning to a steady rain. I reviewed many different weather apps and they all called for rain all day long. So, we had a light breakfast and readied the boat to cross the Bay in the rain. I dugout my rain gear and we doubled two lines and return the others to the boat. It was an easy departure and we retrieved all the lines and fenders. I was almost ready to head out and turn left out of Rock Hall Landing, when I saw a boat to starboard so I reversed very strongly to let them pass. Then we headed through the cut. Not a problem today as it was high tide. We crossed the Bay using the controls underneath the companionway peering through the window now and then. I used my tablet and my phone to keep tabs on other boats via AIS as well as depth. It was an almost an event free passage as everyone was watching out for other boats and crab pots. It was a calm docking and after everything was stowed and people dried off Sue and Katie went home.
Total days: 4 Days to date: 19
Total miles: 51.9 Miles to date: 247.1