Sat. June 1, 2024 Onancock to Mill Creek on the Great Wicomico River 3 hours 33 miles
After our 4-day weather delayed stay in Onancock, things were finally settling down on the bay. Winds from the west forecast at 10 mph and seas 2' or less. Within our go-no go guidelines. Once out of the creek it got a bit sporty with 1-2 foot seas on a short period. I opted to go ahead and burn some fuel and get us to the western shore. Ran 2 full hours at 2200 rpm up on plane. Boat and engines seemed to like it and it sure smoothed out and shortened the ride. Opted to anchor for the night in a new location for us - the Great Wicomico River.
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| Tranquil anchorage up the Great Wicomico River |
This river primarily goes to the north and up to Reedville. The town is known for the commercial menhaden fleet and processing facility that produces oil and fertilizer from these tiny fish. It can be odiferous so we decided to anchor in Mill Creek on a southern branch away from town. Reviews said well protected but isolated with just a few houses along the shore. Reviews were accurate - just us, a few well spaced houses and a sailboat. Quiet, peaceful, laid back and uneventful remainder of the day. Probably should have gone to Reedville to explore it as the fleet was all tied up and plant was not running. They have a "millionaires' row" of old houses harkening back to when Reedville was the wealthiest small town in America due to the riches from menhaden processing. Still plenty of the little fish around based on the large bait balls we saw on the surface and down below on our depth finder.
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Journey for June 1, 2024
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Sun./Mon June 2-3, 2024 Mill Creek to Solomons. 5 hours 49 miles
Wind was forecast to die off a bit more, but come from the SW providing the same 1-2' confused waves but today at our port stern quarter. Made for a long day as the boat was constantly rolling and pitching. Speed changes didn't make much difference and autopilot struggled to keep us on track with each lift and shift of a wave. Outgoing tide crossing the Potomac just added to confused seas. Nothing dangerous, just not the most comfortable day on the water. It did start settling down a bit after we got north of the Potomac, but then the weather forecast was calling for a pop up rainstorm just as we would be getting to Solomons. We anchored up Mill Creek (seems to be a popular name) in Solomons just as a few rain drops started to fall. False alarm. Though it looked threatening, we never got the rain.
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| Ominous cloud overhead as we enter Solomons |
First time for me where the anchor would not grab on my initial drop in this soft Chesapeake mud, but moved a couple hundred feet further into the cove and it grabbed just fine. Cove is completely surrounded by lovely homes, trees and bulkheads. Perfect for one night and a quick trip into a town marina in the morning. Next morning over to the Beacon Marina. We've stayed here several times. Nothing fancy - but docks and power have been rebuilt over the past few years. Bathrooms older but remodeled - clean and functional. Self-serve pumpout and an easy access T-head tie up. We got in our overdue exercise with a walk to the local Weis Market for some provisions with a stop to recharge at Rita's ice and custard stand on the way back. Hooked up with Jamie and Trish for dinner which required another long walk to the Island Hideaway thus working up a hearty thirst and appetite. Afterwards, watched the sunset over the Patuxent River.
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| Solomons is known for their sunsets |
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| OK - so I don't take the best selfies. Still learning. |
Satiated we then worked it all off with the walk back to our boat. Our first stay at the Beacon Marina was back in 2018 when we were bringing the original As You Wish south. There was an old sailboat a few slips down that caught our attention. Apparently unused, unloved and unattended. The story went that a couple sailed it over from Germany. Got here and then went home. Sent slip rental for years (and may still be doing it) so boat continues to sit and deteriorate. Heard they had tried to sell it years ago, but it is an unusual concrete hulled design, so no takers. We always called it the pirate ship - with the passing of another five years it's now starting to look more like the ghost pirate ship. Such a shame. Despite its current condition you can tell she was a beautiful high-end boat at one time.
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| The ghost pirate ship |
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| Journey for June 2, 2024 |
Tues/Wed June 4-5, 2024 Solomons to Eagle Cove, Magothy River 6.2 hours and 60 miles
Finally!! Delightful flat calm waters and a light cooling breeze as we make our way into the upper Chesapeake Bay.
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| Chesapeake Bay cruising doesn't get any better than this |
We've really tried to mix up this trip on the bay with visits to some of our favorite places while also checking out some anchorages we've never used. Today our destination is the Magothy River - north of Annapolis but south of Baltimore, passing lots of familiar sights. Calvert Cliffs (site of prehistoric giant shark teeth), Point Comfort lighthouse and coast guard station, the LNP unloading platform, more lighthouses (too far away for good pictures of the iconic Thomas Point lighthouse protecting Annapolis), under the twin spans of the Bay Bridge and then up the Magothy.
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| Watermen checking crabpots - each one checked every 1-2 days |
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| Calvert Cliffs |
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| Big ships starting to return to Baltimore after Key Bridge removal |
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| Under the twin spans of the Bay Bridge |
Original plan was anchoring behind Dobbins Island. Great reviews, but a bit too exposed for our 2-night stay with shifting winds and expected rain squalls. Opted for the improved protection offered in Eagles Cove. So far, no eagles although the ospreys are entertaining. This anchorage is locally known as "the horse farm". It's protected on three sides by trees, but across the creek is a large house sitting on top of the hill with a white fence stretching across the length of the ridge. A pasture runs down to the water's edge where a variety of horses and geese graze. Very picturesque. We're joined here by two sailboats also waiting out the weather.
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| The Horse Farm |
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| Journey for June 4, 2024 |
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