2023-09-03 New York to Chesapeake Bay

We left Port Washington and motored down the east river, with the sun setting just as we got to New York City.  Neat to see all the city lights, but a bit nerve racking, with all the lights, hard to see boat lights – but most everyone except a couple of sailboats had AIS, so that was nice.

Tug with large side tow barge passing us on the East River

 

Pepsi Cola Sign all lit up on East side of the river

Getting darker as we are approaching Manhattan

Colorful lights at Pier 17

Manhattan skyline at dark

Leaving New York, under Verrazano bridge

No wind, so motored till around 2:00 a.m., but then the wind filled in and we got in a good 10 hours of nice downwind sailing.  Even used the spinnaker for a while

Offshore sailing down NJ coast. (under spinnaker)

We had a little friend that joined us somewhere offshore around Atlantic City.  Brave little one, even landed on the steering wheel for a while.   Kris got out a little container of water, and our feathered friend was happy for that, and drank a few times from it.   He/She hopped all over the boat munching on little gnats, and then Kris got some sprouts and he/she enjoyed those as well.  

Had to turn the motor on as we approached Lewes, DE, for just a little more speed, so we would not have to anchor in full dark

Sun setting as we approached the anchorage

We anchored at Lewes DE, for the night, and our little friend was still there in the morning, but left around 9:00.   We left shortly after and were able to sail up the  Delaware Bay – against the current all the way, but the winds were strong enough it wasn’t an issue.  

Anchored over night before the C&D Canal, and next day motored with current down the canal to Chesapeake City.  Walked up for burgers and ice cream at the Real McCoy restaurant.

You never know what you will see when walking through towns. Like the worlds smallest wedding chapel 

Nice small park in Chesapeake City

We only spent two nights in Chesapeake City, then sailed down to Rock Hall, MD, as it was the only winds over 8 knots for the next week going our direction. 

Usually when we have anchored in Rock Hall in the past, there are only a few boats, 4 at the most.  Maybe it was the Labor Day weekend, but there were already 5 boats in the anchorage, 4 of them catamarans.    As the day went on, more boats came in. 

Friday, we walked to town, and took our old dinghy seat, and old tachometers into the Marine Consignment store.  Back to boat and watched even more boats come in.

Saturday was the big day|  We walked in to town and went to the Scrapple Festival at the Fire station.  Scapple for those of you who don’t know (we didn’t – had to look it up)  Scrapple, also known by the Pennsylvania Dutch name Pannhaas, is traditionally a mush of pork scraps and trimmings combined with cornmeal and wheat flour, often buckwheat flour, and spices. The mush is formed into a semi-solid congealed loaf, and slices of the scrapple are then pan-fried before serving.

There was an all you could eat breakfast featuring Scrapple, and some vendors set up as well selling handcrafts.   We did not partake in the food, but it was interesting to walk around.   Quite the large nice building for the volunteer fire department.

Rock Hall volunteer Fire dept. building

 

Inside Fire dept. building - lots of folks enjoying their scrapple

This shirt sums it up nicely.

After that, a quick stop at the hardware store, and then onto the 5^th annual Car Show at the American Legion building.   Fun to see all the fixed-up cars.  We aren't car buffs, but below a few pictures of some of our favorites.

Quite a few cars of various years on display

Who doesn't love tail fins

Can you imagine this guy pulling up to your house fire?

Love the rear fenders

We then headed to town to a really nice market, full of local grown fruits and veggies.  

Fresh Start food market

Lots of nice local grown foods as well

They even had a small deli counter, so we had lunch there as well as getting some produce.

We split a large sub sandwich

While eating lunch we listened to the chimes from the local Methodist church ringing in the noon hour,   Music, then 12 bells, then more music, then more music, followed by music.  Quite the noise for such a little church - but it was enjoyable

Small Methodist churn in downtown Rock Hall

 

On the way back to the boat we stopped at the Waterman's museum, which was open for the first time that we had seen, so had to stop.

Waterman's Museum - not a large building

Dean practicing his Waterman moves 

The museum is small, but we enjoyed walking around.  Quite surprised to meet the Mayor of Rock Hall, who was the volunteer working the museum.  He also was a volunteer fireman, and was heading back to the Scrapple Festival to help clean up when it closed soon.   Nice to see a "politician" who was actually in it to do good and support the community - easy to forget that sometimes.

Inside the museum

Back to boat, and even more boats had come into the anchorage.  Lots of boat rafting up, including 7 behind us, which turned into 8 later in the evening.   Glad there are no strong winds, and only one anchor out for all 8 boats.

Quite the raft up of boats 

Usually when you get so many boats in an anchorage, and multiple raft ups you get loud music and such, but none of that here - everyone quiet and respectful

Will be here a couple more days, then head over closer to Baltimore in preparation for Kris to fly out to Boise next week.