Chesapeake Bay to Cape May, NJ

After looking at the weather forecasts, which unfortunately were full of thunderstorm warnings and rain, we decided to make our way up the Chesapeake Bay and then down the Delaware Bay to arrive at Cape May, instead of sailing along the Atlantic Coast from Norfolk VA. There are a number of inlets along the Atlantic coast, however the weather was so volatile, we opted to stay on the Chesapeake and try to avoid the worst of the wind and rain. This meant that instead of taking two days to sail outside, we were looking at four to six days to 'go around' on the Bays. Unfortunately we are now on a schedule, as I must be back to start work the last week of June, so although we were hoping to 'visit' the Chesapeake region better this time around, we were obliged to move every day.

After a one night stop in  Hampton VA, where we refuelled and 'watered up', we headed out on to the Chesapeake, taking advantage of the early morning flood tide, which helped push us up the west coast. The day was sunny and hot, with NW winds of ~10 knots off our port bow and virtually no waves! So a lovely motor sail all the way to the Great Wicomico River and a pretty, quiet anchorage on Mill Creek. Very hot and humid, so no surprise to see thunderstorm activity all around us! Before heading to bed, we 'battened down the hatches' in anticipation of the oncoming storms. As it turned out, we did get rain, but not too hard, and no wind!! Saw the lightning all around, but nothing came over us!

leaving Hampton, VA

approaching our anchorage off the Great Wicomico River

Mill Creek anchorage

storms to the left...

....and storms to the right!

The next morning we woke to cool, drizzly conditions.....temperatures had been almost 90 F the day before and was now almost 60 F!! A thirty degree drop! With all the thunderstorms, we had been monitoring our barometer carefully, but fortunately, it hasn't been dropping as fast as the thermometer! Our anchorage was lovely and calm, however we could here the wind howling outside on the Bay, so decided NOT to leave at 0530, and go back to bed! Woke up at 0900, made a batch of gingerbread muffins and a pot of coffee and decided to move at mid-day, but not go as far as originally planned. The winds were predicted to be 10-15 knots from the north today, so we put a reef in the main and raised the staysail and the jib and had a great sail! Because the Chesapeake is relatively shallow, the waters can kick up to a short, stiff chop, with prevailing winds of 15 knots or more, so we were also anticipating some rough water. As it turns out, the winds were 15-20 knots, but from the NE, and with a 3-4 foot swell, but the combination made for a good day of sailing....even with the rain!  We made it all the way to Solomons, MD, where we anchored in Mill Creek, off the Patuxent River, a lovely refuge.

Next day dawned drizzly and cool again, but winds were not supposed to be as high, so we shook out the reef and sailed on the main and the staysail for the morning. Tried the jib a few times, but the wind was too close to our bow, so finally gave up! By the time we reached Annapolis, the sun had come out and it was a beautiful day!! Lots of boats on the water, too! Great to see! We had decided to pass Annapolis and carry on to the next river north, the more quiet and peaceful Magothy, and anchor behind Gibson Island. Passed some lovely homes lining the hills and nestled in the trees on our way to the anchorage. This really is pretty country! Had the anchor down in time to enjoy a glass of wine and the last of the sun. After dinner in the cockpit, we headed to bed and enjoyed yet another peaceful, quiet anchorage!

lighthouses on the Chesapeake Bay

Annapolis and the Severn River

Chesapeake Bay Bridge to the east...

....and to the west.....this bridge is 4.3 miles long!

the Magothy River

Sillery Bay, off the Magothy River

anchorage behind Gibson Island, MD

The following morning was still sunny, however the winds were predicted to be high again with 20 knot gusts, and essentially on our nose, so decided to leave early to try and get some miles under our belt before the wind built up. Put the reef back in the main, and reluctantly left our lovely anchorage as the sun was rising at about 0545! By the time we got back in to the Chesapeake, the water was already quite rough, but the winds weren't too bad, so we were able to get a good point of sail and had a nice motor sail up to the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. About an hour before we reached the relatively quiet waters of the canal we were glad we had made the early start, as the winds had grown to 20 knots and were gusting to 25+ knots. We carried on to about mid-canal where we spent the night at the North Summit Marina.

sunrise at the anchorage

Dobbins Island, on the Sillery Bay

northeast coast of Chesapeake Bay

north end of Chesapeake, looking toward the North East River and The Susquehanna River

The next morning we set a new record for the Wyvern and left at 0445!!! Unfortunately the entrance to the marina had silted in and was too shallow for us to leave at any time other than around high tide...which happened at 0100 in the morning!!! So we left it as late as we dared, low water being at 0800 that morning, and skimmed over the bottom with 1.3 feet under the keel to spare! Once back out on the canal, we then waited an hour for the train bridge to lift over the canal as two trains were transiting the bridge early that morning, but took the opportunity to brew a pot of coffee! The rest of the morning was very placid and easy!! Entered the Delaware on the ebb, so had 3.5 knots of current pushing us along for a combined boat speed of 8.5 knots and not a breath of wind with flat, calm waters!! We enjoyed these comfortable conditions until about noon, when the wind started to pick up and we were able to raise our sail and finished the day by sailing to the Cape May canal, where we took the shortcut across the cape and entered Cape May harbour, anchoring for the night. 

early morning mist on the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal

nuclear power plant at the north end of Delaware Bay

northwest coast of Delaware

enjoying the breakwaters at the Delaware Bay entrance to the Cape May Canal

Monday morning we slept in and then treated ourselves to a big breakfast on board before heading in to the marina for re-provisioning, re-fuelling and an oil change.  While I was doing the grocery shopping George tackled the fuel and oil.  Unfortunately he made a rude discovery.... the engine mount that we had repaired in Charleston had broken through its weld yet again!  SO, once again, 'best laid plans of mice and men'....Our plan was to leave tomorrow, but now we have a mechanic coming to look at the boat instead, which means we will miss our weather window, and so the 'trickle-down effect' goes!

Meanwhile, the New York Chamber Ensemble is playing at the church tomorrow night as part of the Cape May Music Festival this week, and there is a shark fishing derby out of the marina starting Wednesday, which we just may have front row seats for!