Slow Cruise

Stayed on US NAVY mooring ball (free if available, or anchor) in Weems Creek for 3 nights. It had all we wanted: the bay is nicely sheltered, pretty/scenic, good cell and OK-ish wi-fi connection, and a short dinghy access to shore with access to the strip mall, small restaurant and grocery store.
It was out first stay, and we liked the place.

Inflated dinghy, installed an outboard motor, did some repairs, tried riding it.

Couple of times went to shore to pick up some groceries, had a lunch at pizzeria, and just walked around.

Anchored around 15:00 in 15' of water. Stayed overnight, enjoyed the view. Some loud boaters around...

Today we picked up anchor and moved from Little Round Bay (around Helena Island) to an anchorage in Sullivan Cove, along Severn River. Before night, dinghyed ashore to pick up some groceries and stretch legs. It's hot on land! (not so on the water). Swim often to keep cool.
Had a nice sunset dinner (as most of the days). Larysa tried fishing - no luck.
Next day watched Wednesday Sail Racing along the river.

Decided to go to Indian Landing - the end navigable point of Severn River (for boats of our size).
Once anchored, had a cocktail drink.

Explored surrounding waterways on dinghy. Run out of gasoline, had to paddle back to the yacht. On the way, "forgot" Larysa on a sandbar in the middle of the cove.

Stayed for 2 nights. Gorgeous sunsets.

Motored all the way back from Severn River's Indian Landing to Back Creek.
Very tight anchorage. Topping-up fuel, water and getting some groceries before leaving further.

Left Annapolis area, heading toward West River.
A good day to sail.
Passing Thomas Point Lighthouse.

Arrived in Galesville harbor.
Visited town - small, couple shore restaurants and antique stores, marine services. Not much to see. No free Wi-Fi.

Wanted to charge batteries after draining one bank by the fridge. Turns out alternator is not providing any power to the batteries any more. Performed some troubleshooting - alternator looks broken.
Luckily, there is a full service boat yard in Galesville. Called for repairs, technician arrived on a boat, had a look, confirmed my suspicion - alternator needs to be replaced. Made arrangements for tomorrow.

Anchored overnight - windy.

Next morning motored to the yard for alternator repairs. Costs$! 8-(. Now, once seen what it takes, I would do labor myself.
Stayed overnight at the yard's dock (courtesy of the yard).

Leaving across the bay to St. Michaels in the morning.

Wanted to sail across the Chesapeake Bay to St. Michaels. No chance - no wind, had to either wait for the wind (?) or motor. Motored.

Stayed in St Michaels for few days - walked around town, picked up some groceries, did laundry.
The town is a typical small (post-middle-age) tourist oriented town - dozens of seemingly same gift/antique shops on the main street selling same stuff, not much else. But I think we liked it after all - it definitely has some charm.
Some areas near water get flooded during high tide.

Visited Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (www.cbmm.org) - large (dozen or so buildings) - informative, well worth the visit.

Did some wiring on the boat.
Was able to pickup free wi-fi while at anchorage.


Also, after watching all of the crab catching activity in the area, decided to have a nice crab feast, all-you-can-eat.

Very picturesque and natural setting for the anchorage.
Stayed two days. Loved it.
Walked in the State Park, Larysa tried fishing.
Installed solar panels (400W) - system works quite well, should provide enough power to run all electrical systems, including fridge - at least during sunny days.

Quiet setting, just a landing ramp and a small store. Bought some bait, tried fishing - again, no luck.
Stayed at anchor for one night. Interesting small place.

Sailed 8 hrs to Oxford. Good sailing in winds 10-15 knots. Larysa had some seasickness, but eventually, after having a drink, it passed.

Oxford is a small town, nothing special. One convenience store, 3 boatyards...

Found a leak of coolant - in the air heater core. Could not fix it myself, ordered a replacement part, to be delivered at a post office in our next port of call - Cambridge.

A large tall ship arrived as we had a dinner in the cockpit - quite impressive, I guess it's kind of ships used to colonize this land centuries ago.

Leaving tomorrow morning.

Sailed / motorsailed few hours to Cambridge, MD. Docked at the public free dock. Free wi-fi as well, but no water and electricity hookups.

Got some fresh produce at the local waterfront Farmers Market, picked up fresh crab meat from the seafood processing place steps away. I liked the fresh crab meat, Larysa not so much.

Next morning took a local bus to the Walmart nearby to get supplies and some stuff for the boat.

Happen to be here during IRONMAN(.com) running event - interesting sightseeing.

Tried our boat BBQ - chicken turned out very delicious.

We were hoping for the Friday delivery for our air heater part. Unfortunately, it didn't make to the post office by Friday, it would arrive on Monday afternoon. So we took advantage of this and stayed few more days in the town (free dockage after all) - did laundry, had a lunch at the waterfront restaurant overlooking out yacht at the dock, walked around, taking easy.

Larysa painted cockpit teak.

A convenient spot to cut out path from Cambridge to Solomons in two.
Quite scenic.

It's getting cold - time to move south.

Stayed 2 nights in Solomons at anchor, waiting for the windy and rainy weather to pass.
Dinghyed to shore to local marine and convenience stores. Weather is too unpleasant to go outside and visit the town, so stayed on board - changed transmission oil, fixed head light...

Will be going south, skipping places we would like to visit - time to move. The cruising grounds of Chesapeake Bay are vast - need months to get a fair feeling.

Next passage will be quite long (for us), ~ 8 hrs, to Reedville, leaving Maryland and entering Virginia.

While leaving Solomons, both of our sails were stuck, mainly because our inexperience in handling furling sais in strong winds. We had to spend an hour straitening thins out, while battling the wind and trying to avoid other boats and shoals. Few lessons learned.

Sailing in strong winds, waves 4-5 feet. Larysa didn't like it...

Had to go around lots of fishing nets on the way to Reedville - dangerous, annoying.

I have read about food processinbg plant smell in Reedville - it's very true - discussing, offensive, smells miles away!

Anchored farther north.

Visited town - not much to see, except ice-cream shop and Fisherman's Museum. Visited museum, walked around main street.

Stayed one night in Deltaville.
Docked at the public peer, then went to get groceries - too long walk! Got beer and pizza on the way back (seems long time since had that).
Anchored nearby overnight.
Not much to see in town. Will keep moving south.

Anchored two nights in Mobjack Bay.
Oiled teak parts of the deck, fished a little... Just relaxed.

We will be entering Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) shortly, so I refreshed my earlier research on navigating it. Unfortunately, since it's mostly in closed waters, we will be motoring most if the way. I will try to make off-shore sailing detours when possible.

Stayed 1 night in Hampton Public Piers (marina) - first time in marina.
Walked around Hampton downtown area, fried seafood for lunch. Washed boat, laundry and shower in marina.