Onwards to Cape May

No, wait!  It’s Deltaville again...

Whilst we pondered our plight in Annapolis and sought advice as to how best fix our little dilemma, it became apparent that we would need to be hauled out – yet again.  An expensive but necessary repair.  Oh well.  Cap’n Concerned did the rounds of the recommended boat yards in Annapolis and discussed our predicament with all who would care to listen.  Finally, we decided that in the best interests of the Captain's nerves,  WJ3’s professional care and the Motley Crew’s internet and latte addiction, that Deltaville was the place to be. 

We know and trust the Deltaville Boat Yard, the technicians are all first class at what they do and we felt WJ3 would be in very good hands.  So here we are again, waiting for the part to arrive from Edson, and hoping for a short stay out of the water….  

Meanwhile, GS & BW are in the pool!

Me and the Other Woman having a little cry (JGP Photo)

Sis Link in Baltimore

We left Solomons, over-nighted in Weems Creek off Annapolis and then found ourselves motoring in a flat calm up the Patapsco River to Baltimore.  We had heard that the Inner Harbour was the place to be and there was even an anchorage.  Hmmn?  Sited between the Torsk (a submarine) with repetitions of “dive, dive” as sirens blared and hyperactive paddle boaters was a thin sliver of water.  Combined with harbour slop and a serious rubbish problem, it was not attractive.  We hailed the City Docks - only $80 a night (even more with electricity)!   Back we steamed to Canton where we remained for our stay, the only boat on anchor in the harbour…

Just the two three of us... (JGP Photo)

As luck would have it, Canton was more convenient anyway.  A huge Safeway was just across the road and a choice of 2 Starbucks for the Motleys to further indulge the Latte habit.  West Marine was a short walk away too.  So we were all happy. 

Visionary Art Museum Baltimore

Baltimore’s Inner Harbor was once 18 & 19^th century docks.  It’s now a playground with an assortment of museums, an aquarium and various other ways to spend your money.  GS headed off alone to visit the American Visionary Art Museum while the lads located an electronics shop.  “Do you have stores this big in Australia?”  “Nah mate, the roos’d start breedin’ in ‘em.  Then we’d ‘ave a bit of a problem”….

We could easily scoot to Fells Point in Bruce however.  This neighbourhood is a bit more of a local hangout, with lots of bars, restaurants and history.  Fells Point  began its life in 1726 as a colonial port where more than 600 ships were built, including the later Baltimore Clippers, and the US frigate Constitution.  The streets are cobblestone and at nights the pavements are full of diners eating a local favourite – mussels.  Fells Point even boasted a (free) public dock! 

We ate delicious mussels (steamed in Guinness & Old Bay) at Berthas one night, after sampling a few of her home brews in the downstairs pub – a narrow heritage building, dark and mysterious, with flaking moose heads, weasels in underpants, strange horned light fittings and lots of atmosphere.  We were told by the barman and one of his more chatty patrons that upstairs was once a speakeasy.  Another night we had a few beers in Max’s.  They have 102 on tap, and 600 more in bottles.  All this and NO Aussie beer!   The boys had a go at a top shelf tasting, the Cap’n taking it easy with “thimbles”.  Then we tried a pizza at BOP.  Their “large” is more than 18 inches across.  It covered our table.  

Name & Shame.  For our last night, the boys decided to try the nearby Tiki Hut Bar at Bo Brooks.  The Crew became embroiled in a brouhaha over proof of age.  Despite numerous photo ID’s, even Management, who was summonsed to referee, refused to accept them as legit and demanded to see BW’s passport.  It was out on WJ3!  The Cap’n, after finishing his cold & frosty, promptly announced to all and sundry that there would be no need to get said passport as we were taking our business elsewhere!  And so we did – back to Fell’s Point and into Woody’s, high up on the third floor overlooking the docks.  The boys drowned their sorrows in half yards of Mexican beer – and they even got to keep the glasses.  Bargain!

(Ed note: to further rub salt into wounds, the Tiki Hut Bar charged BW US$1.00 on his card – the one that wasn’t used, for the beer that wasn’t to be had and despite being assured there would be no charges. Don’t go near the place!).

From: Solomons Island Patuxent R.  To: Baltimore, Patapsco River

Lat/Long: 38:19.86N  76:19.80W  Lat/Long: 39:16.70N  76:34.86W

Date/Time: 14/6/11: 0655  Date/Time: 15/6/11: 1515

Time Taken: 75nm (14hrs)  Distance: 133.5nm (23hrs) this year

Dist Total: 5505.5nm (since 2008)

Weather: N-NE; 10-15kts; 2-3’ seas; showers & a bit of a chop - wind against current

Fastest Speed: 5-6kts

Back to Annapolis

During one of Cap’n Conscientious’ maintenance inspections in Baltimore, he discovered much to our dismay that the rudder quadrant had cracked – in the weld (done in the BVI in 2008).  Yep, it had come back to haunt him and now we need to replace it before Crossing the Pond.  Otherwise, King Neptune may find himself the proud owner of one more rudder (with expensive stainless stock).  The Cap’n can fill in the details on his H460 site in due course for those interested in technical details of a real “holy ship” moment!

Weems Creek on a busy weekend.  

So here we are back in calm Weems Creek (Annapolis) waiting to see if we can get a replacement “in a few days” and without having to be hauled out.  We have to pedal a mile to find a Starbucks (and internet connection) but we did have a pleasant swim in brackish waters yesterday, so things could be worse.

Just as a matter of interest, our spinnaker is no longer a virgin.  With light winds, and the Cap’n determined to sail (not again!) we dug the spinnaker out of a locker and released it from its sock.  It sat beautifully and really looks the cat’s pyjamas – a big bright blue and turquoise star.  We were the only ones sailing (without engine assistance) and our only spinnaker competition came from a nearby laser – his was dull, very dull indeed.

Caribbean Star on a Windjammer (that's the new spinnaker)

Starting Over

Our Float Plan has changed several times – the fridge part arrived early and Rosco & Suellen, on Barrenjoey, delayed.  They’re currently in Bequia and we wish we were.  Deltaville has been experiencing a heat wave, averaging 37C in the shade, in recent days.  Anyway, now that we are out of the Marina and on anchor in Jackson Creek, we’ve decided to develop our sea legs by taking the more leisurely route up Chesapeake Bay (via Solomons Island, Baltimore & the C&D Canal) to Cape May.  Cape May is situated on the Atlantic coast and has advantages in being an “easier” access and a more direct exit than going south.  Here at least, we can top up with fuel, water and food (well, you never know!) before heading off.

Sailing under Chesapeake Bay Bridge

We had planned to make a start early this morning but the engine overheated.  So here we sit, the engine in pieces, the Cap’n in a lather and the crew sipping lattes.

From: Jackson Creek Deltaville To: Solomons Island Patuxent R. 

Lat/Long: 37:32.85N 76:19.78W   Lat/Long: 38:19.52N 76:27.35W 

Date/Time: 12/6/11: 0700; 1030; 1445 at last! Date/Time: 13/6/11: 0015

Time Taken: 58.5nm (9hrs) Distance: 58.5nm ( 9hrs) this year

Dist Total: 5430.5nm (progressive)

Weather: SW-S; 10-15kts; 2-3’ seas; showers & evening thunderstorms

Fastest Speed: Guess we’ll be motoring today! 6.9kts

(From now on in folks, posts will be dependent on internet availability, so relax & make another pink gin.  In the meantime, we will try to update our map/tracker regularly via our sat connection - time & date might be out a bit but the grid reading will be ok. who knows, the boys might find another Hooters in Baltimore!)

Gunning Up the Highway

The Captain arrived some 3 weeks before his motley crew to spend quality time with the other woman, as you would expect.  Despite such preparations and tinkering, the chores remained unfinished so GS and BW were, once recovered from jet lag (it’s about 20 hours all together sitting in 3 planes), flat out. Aside from all those chores the evil Cap’n was saving for us, we managed to shop for and stow some 5 trolley loads of food for the BIG trip.  WJ3 could now be described as a floating supermarket.  At least we do float.

"So", said BW, "you said there'd be surf... disappointed!!"

We managed one day off to visit Virginia Beach where BW collected two surfboards, a king kong sized fishing rod and various surf brand clothing items.  Surf itself though, was a rare commodity.  More modestly, GS managed a $70 sewing machine from Walmart – in the name of finishing the saloon curtains, of course!  And she did….

Anyone wondering about our post title, will be pleased to know that General Puller Highway runs straight through Deltaville.  The only way in.  The only way out….  Lt Gen “Chesty” Puller is the most decorated US Marine and he settled in nearby Saluda.  Our GPS, Karen, (in her Australian guise) stumbles rather badly over some street names, much to our amusement.  The General probably turns in his grave every time we take Karen out for a spin about town.