Today: 57 miles, 7.5 hours
Total: 119.2 miles, 16 hours
 |
| The unremarkable dawn |
We pulled away from the dock shortly after 7, towards the
end of nautical twilight. Sunrise was
7:24 am, but was disappointing. Clouds
obscured the sun rise. The winds, which
were out of the NNW 10-15 joined the very strong ebb current for a fast ride
(at least for us!) We were averaging 8.4 mph while we had the current. Once the current turned, we were only doing
high 6’s.
 |
Sunlight finally appeared as we left the cliffs
outside Solomons |
We quickly felt the winds and cool temperatures on the Bay
and the sun really wasn’t warming us. It
took only about 10 minutes to put up the enclosure and be warm and comfy. I will never regret the frustration and lack
of sleep while making it for our first cruise in 2010-11. Today proves the time
was well spent!
As we crossed Fleets Bay, heading into Antipoison Creek, we
encountered a large pod of dolphins. We
usually just see the arch of their beaks and backs as they surface. Today, the
water was constantly agitated with their mating. A few of the dolphins managed to get
airborne! It was a rare treat and dazzling display.
 |
| The excited pod of dolphins |
 |
| Dolphin putting on quite a show |
There was only 1 other boat in the anchorage when we
arrived. She was about a 45’ steel ketch
with a home port of London, England. Her
people spent a while on the beach.
However, once they returned, they pulled up anchor and headed further up
the creek. I wonder if they know
something we don’t know?
 |
Clouds above beach
at Antipoison Creek |
Antipoison Creek, off of Fleets Bay, is one of our favorite
spots. Dan and Martha of SV BRUNELLE, introduced it to us on our journey north
after our original cruise to the Bahamas in 2011. This was the last stop for BRUNELLE, ANDIAMO
and PEKABU before returning to our home ports and non-cruising lifestyles. It is
easy access to the Bay, both to the north and the south. The area is beautiful, the beach is
fantastic, Bailey has a place to walk and run and I captured one of my favorite
sunrises from here last year at this time!
The anchor was dropped abound 2:30 pm, which left plenty of time for
Pete to complete work and me to bake 4 small loaves of banana nut bread. Boy, did PEKABU smell great! The heat from the oven also helped to keep
the boat warm overnight as the temperatures are predicted to drop to 44 degrees
by sunrise.
 |
| Sunset tonight |
After dinner, which was the leftovers from Sunday’s dinner
with Betty and John…YUM!!!, it was decedent to watch TV while at anchor. It has taken a tremendous effort and time
commitment over the past year to get the KVH satellite system and the DISH
system to work properly. We had read all
the information and we thought we had purchased the proper dome. As it turns out, we had a bad dish and then a
bad receiver. Both were replaced during our last cruise. However, problems reemerged once back in our
home port. After many troubleshooting
calls and emails, and eventually, a technician was sent to us doe what would up
being a 4-hour visit. It finally came to
light, that the Annapolis area is in a “dead zone” for the satellites for the
KVH 1. They are too low on the horizon
to maintain connection. We eventually
worked out a deal for the next size dome (KVH 3), which has no problems using
and maintaining contact with a different set of satellites and providing uninterrupted
coverage from Maine to Key West! We only have to call DISH to have the “home”
stations changed for local service as we travel.
~~~ /) ~~ K &
P
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