Castle Harbor to Solomons, Md.

 59.2 miles, 8.5 hours

The great plans we had to complete things over the summer never materialized. Between family and friend obligations, the heat, Pete’s work and my not feeling 100%, many projects are now postponed until next year. The doctor has given me the OK to travel, we have said our good-byes to our family and friends, everything we should need for the trip has been loaded onboard, the provisioning complete, the boat cleaned and organized. I think we are ready.

Hopefully, Mother Nature will cooperate.  She has demonstrated her might powers over the past few months. Over the summer, horrific fires have devastated parts of Montana and California. Closer to home, in July, a water spout traveled across the breakwater to our marina and a week later an F-2 tornado destroyed a neighborhood about a mile from our marina, took out a string of power lines and wreaked havoc on many boat canvases, trees and pool in our marina. It was an unbelievably frightening 30 minutes of severe lightning, strong, chaotic winds, and torrential rains. However, it is the three major hurricanes that caused major destruction in the southeastern US that might make our journey more challenging.  So far, the reports by those on Active Captain are promising, but there are numerous damaged bridges and marinas as well as unknown shoaling caused by the flooding.

So the adventure begins again. . . . 

A surprise entering Kent Narrows!

The winds were calm and the skies clear blue as we departed the marina at 7 am this morning, but looks can be deceiving. As we approached Kent Narrows, a thick fog bank rolled out of the east. No sooner did we enter the channel, when visibility dropped to about 100 feet.  It remained that way for 3 and a half hours until we were further down the Bay. Pete was very happy with the new radar and how well it revealed boats, channel markers, and even birds.  Most boaters were smart and traveling slow.  We could see the fishing boats on radar, but their use of the planner boards were a surprise. Of course, there were a few boaters, who had to clue of navigation in fog.  We were passed within 75 feet by a 40-foot Fountain (speed boat) doing about 35 mph with no radar on-board.  As it passed, Pete yelled for him to slow down and tried to warn him.  When he didn’t appear to hear, Pete asked me to listen for a possible impact with the two boats about a quarter mile ahead!  Thankfully, there was no crash. Listening to the radio, there were other fools, who were also traveling too fast. Once the fog lifted, it the sun was bright, and a gentle breeze came up.

Almost as thick as pea soup!

Harris' Crab House

There is a severe weather front heading to the area late Monday early Tuesday.  Winds on shore will be 18-22 mph from the south.  However, on the Bay, those winds will be 25 -30 mph AND coming up while we are supposed to be heading down the Bay.  We had been out in conditions like that before and it is not fun.  To be beating into the wind and waves is slow, exhausting, and messy both outside and inside the boat.  Instead, we chose to dock at Spring Cove Marina in Solomons, only a few slips away from John and Betty until it passed. 

Re-entering the fog bank
further down the Bay

When the fog cleared we were able
to see these hazards more clearly!

  Once secured at the dock, Pete and I had a few chores yet to complete before we joined Betty and John for dinner on board SV ANDIAMO.  Dinner and conversation was very enjoyable.

Once back aboard PEKABU, Pete and Bailey took a walk and we called it a day.

~~~ /) ~~  K & P