Oct. 26, 2026 Finishing up with the Chesapeake Bay

Monday, Oct. 26, 2026  Jackson Creek Anchorage to Top Rack Marina  64 miles and 7.5 hours

Decided to make an early departure from Jackson Creek.  Great anchorage. Good scenery.  No wind. No waves. No worries. Slept like a baby!  But up with the sun to get the anchor raised by 7:30 and get on our way.   Unexpected greeting by a dolphin in the anchorage as we were raising the anchor.  We'll mark this up as a good anchorage for future use.  Easy in and out from the bay and rare all-around wind protection. 

The full moon finally setting as a new day begins

A little fog on the land but thankfully none out on the water

Dolphin surfaced a few times by us as we were raising the anchor.

Picture perfect Chesapeake waterfront 

Exiting the anchorage.  Couple of houses catching the morning sunrise.

Working our way out to open water with the sun straight in our eyes

We'll be fighting an incoming tide and lose roughly 1 mph for the entire trip down the bay to Norfolk.   Nice sunny day.  Light NW breeze and short waves on our stern. Made the trip riding from the flybridge enjoyable.  Pretty straight shot down the lower bay.  Just a bit of wallowing as we worked our way past Mobjack Bay where the extra fetch generated slightly bigger waves.   Minimal sights to see other than other boaters.   Crossed paths with New Journey.  You may recall that was the 100' Nordhavn yacht that protected us from the nor'easter back in Portland ME.  They did an overnight offshore passage and were coming across the lower bay to Yorktown just as we were headed down. Always find it interesting the way you cross paths with boats you know. 

 Giving way to this tug crossing our path at 15mph and crashing through some waves

New Journey headed towards Yorktown. Pretty sure those 4-5' offshore seas
 were barely noticed by this beast constructed for around-the-world cruising.

Made it into Norfolk.  All the usual sights.  Lots of military craft of all sorts being worked on. Cargo ships being unloaded.  Downtown marinas and buildings.  Overall, traffic didn't seem too bad today.  Couple of tows.  Some tugs helping push a military ship out the river.   Mostly just pleasure boats heading south.   Got lucky with the three railroad bridges.  All of them in the raised position which hasn't happened in our last several transits.  We always seem to get held up by at least one of them. Makes it nice and easy to keep on schedule. 

Giving the ship Pautucket a wide berth as the tugs push her out the river

Couple of aircraft carriers were being upgraded at Newport News shipyard

Pretty good variety of military vessels in port

Waterside marina in downtown Norfolk

General Dynamics shipyard working on this one in drydock. 
Seems like it's a good candidate for toppling over.

Black Hawk headed for Coinjock.   He'll be running several hours in the dark.

Norfolk Southern Railroad bridge waiting for us in the raised position

Made it to Top Rack Marina a little after 3pm.   We were hoping to get through the Great Bridge Lock and Bridge today, but no room for us at Atlantic Yacht Basin.   We've stayed here before and it gives us a good starting place to catch an early morning transit. 

Top Rack Marina faces right onto the ICW. We can expect wake
 from occasional passing tows throughout the night

Journey for Oct. 26, 2026

October 25, 2025 A Short Hiatus then Back on the Water

Oct. 25, 2026    Spring Cove Marina Solomons to Jackson Creek Anchorage - Deltaville               66 miles and 7.0 hours 

We're back!  After a bit of a respite, we returned to Solomons and got back on the water.   Seems the weather just hasn't wanted to cooperate with us lately.  Delayed in Portland. Delayed in Lewes.  And now delayed in Solomons.  This time another slow-moving nor'easter.  Original plan was to just stay 3 days in Solomons.  Gave us time to get our fill of Cream of Crab soup and REAL Maryland Lump Crab Cakes at the Lighthouse Restaurant.  But the more I looked at extended forecasts the more it was clear we needed to stay put. Early forecasts projected this low-pressure system swirling just off the NC coast for days on end.  Thankfully the forecast was off a bit, and the storm stayed further out to sea and eventually became sub-tropical storm Josephine.  Still caused a lot of storm surge damage and kept the Chesapeake waters stirred up for a week with 4-5' seas.  We opted to extend our stay at the marina for an additional week, got a rental car, and head home.   Made good use of our time there.  Played pickleball four mornings in a row.  Lots of good games, but my knees and back are glad that's over.  Took care of getting some Rx's refilled.  Both of us got needed haircuts. We brought home multiple loads of laundry which kept Martha busy, as well as sorting through all the accumulated mail.  She rewarded herself with a nice pedicure.  Time was up so loaded the rental car with 9 gallons of engine oil for my oil next change and assorted goodies from Costco. 

Solomons Island as seen while crossing over the Patuxent River Bridge

Another view from the bridge.  Farmland just off the island keeps the area
 feeling rural.  In the far distance on the right is Patuxent NAS.  Always good
for a few fighter jet flyovers during our stay here.

Sort of appropriate that we should see Pride of Baltimore II as we're leaving 
Solomons.  We had toured her back during the 250 celebrations in
Baltimore when we started our trip.

Today we finally got to continue our trip.  Pretty good conditions overall.  Sunny fall weather with temps just into the 60's.   NE breeze would have made it feel chillier but that was at our stern and not even noticeable.  It did however generate a 2' choppy wave at our stern, so we wallowed about for half the trip before the wind and waves both settled down.    Mostly an open water passage so not much to sea other than the other snowbirds now flocking south with the improved conditions. 

Morning glare off the water really puts a hurting on your eyes.

Marine Traffic is an app we use to see boats around us with AIS.
This screen shot as we're crossing the entrance to the Potomac River
gives you an idea of the parade of boats headed south

.

 Passed a number of sailboats.  Got passed by a couple of powerboats intent on burning up fuel.  Cargo ships, tugs, etc. Smith Point Light at the entrance to the Potomac River was the only real landmark.  Decided to try a new anchorage.  Into the Piankatank River and then up Jackson Creek and the small town of Deltaville.  Popular stopover spot for cruising boats.  Anchorage areas are available in both the north and south channels so plenty of room. We manage to snag a nice spot with great protection from the light northerly breezes.   Nice clear skies showcased the rising full moon shining bright tonight. 

Passing a sailing catamaran from Canada looking for warmer weather

Oregon Highway is a Vessel Cargo Ship.  Headed to Brunswick GA. to load up
used cars which are then sold in third world countries.

In 1868 a screw pile lighthouse was erected at Smith Point. In Feb. 1895 ice
ripped the house from the pilings and carried it away.  This Caison style
 light was built in 1897 to replace it.

As we entered Jackson Creek caught this family sending their child
up the bosun's chair.  Gave them a nice slow pass as any rocking on the
 boat is BIG rocking up high.

Moonrise reflecting off the calm waters of our anchorage

Journey for Oct. 25, 2026

Oct. 15, 2026 On to Solomons and Another Weather Delay

 Thursday, Oct. 16, 2026  Aberdeen Creek to Spring Cove Marina - Solomons   49 miles and 5.0   hours

Overcast and cooler morning.  80's yesterday, 60's today.  NE winds blowing 10+ but dropping off throughout the day.  Slight chance of intermittent showers so we opt to run from inside the pilothouse. Forecast shows 2' seas with a short period also from the NE.  Wave heights also showing a drop off to 1' by the time we hit Solomons.  Anchor up around 8.  No big hurry today.   Pretty calm conditions as we work our way out the South River.   Then the turn to starboard as we head down the Bay.  Waves on the port stern quarter have us wallowing around.  Pretty much taking a long straight shot down the upper bay. Out in more open water so not much to see this trip.  Keeping an eye on a few boats displayed on the AIS system. Names, directions, speeds.  Gives me something to do in between my every 2-hour engine room checks.  Otto is doing most of the heavy lifting today trying to keep us headed straight.  Calvert Cliffs come into view off the starboard side letting us know we're getting close to our destination. Finally ready to make the turn into the Patuxent River.  Wind is down and we're better protected by land, so waves dissipate.   

Calver Cliffs.  A geological and archeological marvel

Nice view from atop the cliffs.  

Easy entrance into Solomons as we head up Back Creek and the docks at Spring Cove Marina.  We stopped at the nearby Solomons Yacht Club on our way north back in June.  Good facilities and close to restaurants and stores. But a bit exposed for upcoming weather.  We have reservations for 3 nights at Spring Cove. May need to add on more as we're watching weather reports develop.  Kissed Some Frogs pulls into the slip next to us. We were both part of the Great Loop fleet back in 2019. They're traveling on their gorgeous new 50' Outback.  Hull #7.  Very nice boat.  Long range forecast is showing another low-pressure system developing off the Carolinas and impacting weather with strong winds and increasing waves. Lower Chesapeake is wider more open water and can get nasty, so we decide to take this as an opportunity to get a rental car and head home for a few days.  Check things out at the condo, do our civic duty with early voting, get some Rx's refilled, play a little pickleball, etc.  Once back we'll be refreshed and ready for some long runs to get south and into warmer weather. 

Journey for Oct. 15, 2026

Oct. 14, 2026 Chesapeake Fuel Stop and a New Anchorage

 Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2026  Sassafras Anchorage to South River Anchorage  60 miles and 6.5 hours travel time

Fuel tanks are getting lower than I like - down to 20% of capacity.  Best local price is $5.99/gal across the bay at Bowley's Marina on the Middle River.  Loaded up on fuel there on our way north as they were best price then at just $4.25!!    Got a little wind this morning but it will settle down. Then looks like a nice day.  Sunny and upper 80's. Sun is up and so is the anchor by 7:15AM.   Quick washdown as it came up pretty clean.   Decent anchorage.  Exposed to west and north winds but since we had light SW winds all night it worked out fine. 

Another colorful sunrise

We had six sailboats join us at anchor last night. 
Late arrivals must be sleeping in as we head out

Fish weirs are something we need to be mindful of on the Chesapeake. 
Also need to start keep a better lookout for the random crab pots.

Open waters with just a little chop crossing over to Middle River. 

Crazy waterman and his loaded boat passing on Middle River. 
 Not sure if he ever saw us so gave him lots of room.

Took about 2-1/2 hours to get to Bowleys and another hour to load 480 gallons on board.  Decent amount of travel time under the keel since our last fill-up back in Portland, Maine. Off their dock at 11:30 and trying to determine how far down the bay we wanted to go before stopping for the night.  Make our way past the Patapsco River and the entrance to Baltimore but continue on. Next landmark is going under the twin Chesapeake Bay Bridges.   Forecast is for winds swapping to N-NE so want a place with protection from that direction.  Originally had picked a place up the West River just north of Annapolis in Whitehall Bay, but it was still too early to stop for the day.  Pressed on to the South River.  Entrance is marked by the iconic screw pile Thomas Point Lighthouse.  Looking lovely as ever.  Had not seen it on our last few transits as we were traveling along the Eastern Shore. 

Approaching the Chesapeake Bay Bridges

After the first bridge was constructed linking to the eastern shore,
traffic congestion soon led to the building of the second bridge

From the water you really notice the sweeping nature of the roadbed leading to the ridge

Cargo ships anchored off the Annapolis area waiting entry to Baltimore

Some boats empty and floating high waiting for cargo or travel
 instructions for their next port of call

Fully loaded bulk container.  Always fun to guess what might be in its hold.

The most recognized lighthouse in Maryland. The 1875 Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse. 
The only screwpile style lighthouse on the bay still in its original location

 Research said there is a delightful anchorage at Harness Creek.  Great protection all around, decent depths, good holding, very natural surroundings. But as we were approaching seven boats showed on AIS with another heading in.  Just too crowded for us.  Anchorage seems too small for all those boats. No way we could put out all the anchor chain scope we would want. Next creek up called Aberdeen Creek was a bit more exposed to the river but had good protection from the upcoming N-NE winds.  Anchor down and grabs fine. Put out a little extra scope for added insurance against the 180-degree swing overnight.  Had the entire anchorage to ourselves.  As expected, the winds shifted in the middle of the night.  Cool breeze through the open portholes woke me at 4 AM to do a check.  Just a breeze outside. Nothing too strong.  All good for a couple more hours sleep.  Nice houses around the shoreline.  Couple of docks.  Overall worked out fine for our one-night stay and sets us up for a shorter cruise on Thursday to Solomons. 

Nice rural scenery as we work our way up the South River

Pretty typical waterfront home facing our anchorage.  Not too shabby!

Journey for Oct. 14, 2026 
Note the detour for cheap fuel.

Oct. 13, 2026 Up the Delaware Bay and on to the Chesapeake

Tuesday,  Oct. 13, 2026   Lewes, DE to Sassafras River, MD.  95 miles and 8.9 hours

Had a great extended stay in Lewes and now have a combination of a great weather window and perfectly timed tidal features.  With our 7AM departure there will be no current at the dock as we leave, so won't be fighting those crazy swirling eddies we had when docking.  Once out the canal we pick up the incoming tide which gives us a 1-1/2 to 2 mph push north up the entire length of the bay and halfway through the C&D canal.  Then the outgoing Chesapeake Bay tide catches us and pulls us south to our anchorage.   On a full day trip like today it makes a huge difference.  My navigational auto routing program calculates a 10.5 hour cruise but we make it in under 9 hours.  These currents can have the opposite effect if currents are completely against you - turning that 10.5 hour day into a 12+ hour day. That can be problematic during this time of year when we only have 11 hours of sunlight. 

Slack tide as the early morning sun starts to rise.

 

Heading through the Lewes canal and towards the open Delaware Bay

Once out the Lewes Canal we take a series of long straight lines in almost perfectly calm waters.  Seas are on the nose but less than 1 foot.  Wind at our back at 5mph.  Never have a single bit of spray come on deck all day which was a blessing now that the boats all cleaned up.  Otto was in heaven with no adverse conditions.  Amazing how quickly seas can flatten out. There were 3-4' waves yesterday before the wind stopped. One calm night and they're completely gone.  Nice sunny day today.  Starts in low 60's but works to upper 70's.  We normally run the western side of the bay when coming out from Cape May, but today we're keeping to the western side.  No real pitfalls other than we're further from the main channel and the couple of lighthouses along that route. We do get to see a larger number of cargo ships and tugs today than on our previous transits. Not sure why - but more of them and headed both directions. 

Alaskan Explorer at anchor waiting its turn to head up the Delaware Bay

Container ship Dole Chile looking like a giant banana with that yellow hull.

Finally caught and passed the tug Crystal Coast. 

Once we reach the Salem nuclear power plant we know we're getting close 
to the C&D canal. Steam from that tower was visible from over 15 miles away

At the top of the Delaware Bay we make the sharp turn to port onto the Chesapeake and Delaware (C&D) canal.  A jet ski and couple of center consoles zip around us. Can't blame them for being out on such a nice day.  A pair of tugs meet us head on pulling a load of dredging pipes. Work our way under the tall bridges crossing the canal.   Chesapeake City is towards the end of the canal.  We've got it as an optional stopping point if the free town dock has available space.  Unfortunately, several day boaters are using it while visiting the local restaurant.  It's only 1:30 so no problem to keep pushing on.  

Small powerboats blasting around us

The old mule path on the north side of the canal  has been
 repurposed into a paved walking and biking 

Road bridges over the canal.  All have extra height to accommodate cargo ships

Tugs dragging a load of dredging pipes

Schaefer's Canal House - fuel, docks and restaurant at Chesapeake City.
Town docks are in a harbor on the opposite side of the canal

We used a decent anchorage on the Sassafras River in the past and can make it there by 4PM with plenty of time to get anchored and relaxed before the sun sets.  It's a pleasant change running from outside up on the flybridge today. Beginning to get some nice fall colors on the trees around here.  Only made better by a delightful glass of wine, steak on the grill, fresh veggies from the Lewes Farmers Market and a brilliant sunset over calm waters.

Sunset over the Sassafras River

Journey for Oct. 13, 2026