Tuesday Oct. 7, 2025 Chestertown to Solomons 77 miles and 8.3 hours
After multiple days of chilling or just short runs, we decided it was time to get moving again. Figured we would make the run down to Solomons in one long day. It's a good, protected location we've enjoyed in the past. Also convenient for getting a rental car so we can visit relatives up in Alexandria, VA. Threw off the lines at 8 AM. Nice cruise back down the Chester River. Nice sunny day, warming up later. For now, the sun is low in the sky and depending on the twist or turn of the river we occasionally get it brutally straight into our eyes.
 |
| Full moon rising across the river at the end of the day |
 |
| Same full moon setting over town as we wake up |
 |
| Heading right into that brutal early morning sunshine |
Our departure time is critical. There is a lift bridge we need to catch at Kent Narrows that only opens on the hour or half hour. We're timing it for the 10:30 opening. Don't want to miss it and have to wait extra but also don't want to arrive too early as there is a significant current that pushes through the narrow opening. Adding to the stress is we're coming in towards low tide into a notoriously shallow channel with guaranteed grounding if you get outside the markers. We make it through safely and arrive a few minutes early with two other boats already waiting. The bridge opens promptly, and we are pushed through by the current.
 |
| Kent Narrows Bridge. Tight quarters and swirling currents. |
It's a nice sunny and warm day so we ride it out on the flybridge. Through the inside passage around Poplar Island. Another bit of shallow water where staying in the channel is paramount. This island was over 1140 acres when surveyed in 1847 and had over 100 residents. It had eroded to just 5 acres by 1990. A project to restore the island as a nature habitat using dredged material from the main shipping channels was started in 1998 and by 2005 the island was back to 1140 acres with plans for an additional 575 acres to be added when completed in 2029. Past Poplar Island the wind picks up just as the forecast predicted. We've got a long five hours to go as we cross diagonally across the open Chesapeake. The bay is relatively shallow, so winds kick up waves quickly and we find ourselves riding swells and wind-blown spray once again. At least there are no crab pots out here.
 |
| Swells are making us roll a bit even with the stabilizers fully engaged. |
 |
| Sailors are out enjoying the day |
 |
| This interesting old sailboat caught our eye as we approached Solomons |
We pass by Sharp Island lighthouse. Apparently, we've never come this close to it before as it's quite memorable with its significant 15 degree lean. Built in 1882, it has a 30' diameter concrete filled caisson topped with a 45' lighthouse and integrated keepers house made of riveted cast iron plates. The structure was impacted by an ice flow in 1997 causing it to lean.
 |
| The leaning Sharp Island Lighthouse. Now abandoned and considered surplus. |
After we pass the lighthouse it's all open water until we approach Calvert Cliffs and the entrance to Solomons. The cliffs are 65-135 feet tall and stretch for about 25 miles in Maryland and Virginia. They are a paleontologists dream as fossils dating back as far as 18 million years ago have been found. Shark teeth belonging to the massive Megalodon have been unearthed here. A huge collection of artifacts can be found at the Calvert Maritime Museum here in Solomons.
 |
| Calvert Cliffs |
We make it into Solomons just before quitting time for the dockhands. Long day but glad to be tied up. We'll chill here for at least a week keeping an eye on a big developing Nor'easter.
 |
Settled in our slip and enjoying another crazy full moon night
|
Solomons holds lots of good memories for us. Stopped here multiple times during our travels. Great protection from wind and waves, Lots of boaters from the Washington, DC area keep boats here, so plenty of eye candy with new and old boats of all types. Good selection of restaurants, grocery store, hardware store, etc. Surprisingly, no brewery. Spend a day at the Calvert Marine Museum which has been revising their displays since or last visit. Such an interesting place with three primary focuses. First, a large display of fossils and dinosaurs relevant to the nearby Calvert Cliffs and their paleontological digs with a full-scale replica of a Megalodon shark skeleton. Second, displays of marine life and ecology relevant to the bay. Plenty of aquariums and then watching their otters playing is always a highlight. Finally, life on the water over the years - water sports such as hydroplane racing, rum running, boatbuilding, military presence during WWII, and the changing life of bay watermen from fishing to oysters to crabbing.
 |
| Locally produced recreational boat from the 50's |
 |
| One of the museum's otters - looking at him looking at us |
 |
Drum Point lighthouse built 1889 was moved here in 1975 and restored.
The Dee of St. Mary is a classic skipjack historically used for tonging for oysters.
|
Spent another day on projects - changing oil on the generator and finally got all the parts needed to properly replace the water line to the ice maker that blew out back in Canada. Big Saturday night end of season get together at the marina we were invited to attend. Chili contest, drink specials at the bar, etc. Good crowd despite the rainy and windy forecast as the Nor'easter approaches.
 |
| Chillin at Spring Cove Marina's end of season get together |
Headed up to Alexandria on Sunday for a family visit with my nephew and his family who also had my brother from New Zealand visiting. Fun day and great dinner out. Now just waiting for weather conditions to improve so we can continue our travels south.
 |
| Family dinner out. L to R. John, Xavier, Martha, Eliza, Dan, Athene and Joe |
 |
| Journey for Oct. 7, 2025 |
No comments:
Post a Comment