Around the Bay

During the past several weeks we have gone on several daysails, spent a few overnights at anchor at various places off of the Choptank River, and sailed to Solomons and Baltimore Harbor. In short, we have been enjoying our time on Breeze On. In Solomons, we picked up a mooring ball at Zahnisers Marina. While we were there we called friends whom we met in the Bahamas who happen to live in Solomons. Matt (from Runaway) came over to Zahnisers for a short visit while his wife, Marty, was in Pennsylvania with their grandkids. It was great to catch up with Matt.

This past week we sailed up to Baltimore. We had sailed there two years ago and loved visiting the city by boat. We had intended to return but skipped it last year due to the pandemic. This year we stayed at the Anchorage Marina in Canton once again. The day we arrived was hot so we cooled off in the fresh water pool built into a floating dock. Then we walked on the promenade to eat at the Blue Moon Cafe in Fells Point. The next day brought lots of rain but after it ended we took a lovely walk on the promenade in the other direction. The following morning was absolutely gorgeous (sunny with low humidity). We walked to Pier 5 and took the free water taxi over to Federal Hill to visit the American Visionary Art Museum. Afterwards we walked to the top of Federal Hill to take in the view of the city. We then took the water taxi back across the harbor, walked back to the boat for a rest before a delicious dinner at Bondhouse Kitchen in Fells Point. By the end of the day I had walked 18,000 steps. A fun, but tiring day.

I should mention a small adventure we had on our way to Baltimore. After leaving home we spent one night at Dun Cove on Harris Creek. The next morning we decided to take the shortcut through Knapp’s Narrows. We went aground shortly after going through the drawbridge. A woman on a nearby trawler directed us to go very close to the red channel marker and aim for the green marker farther out. As I moved down the channel and continued to aim for the green marker I went aground again. This time I had no idea whether the deeper water was to our right or left. We sat there for a few minutes until George flagged down a small fishing boat passing by to our left. George asked where the deeper water was and the fisherman, who was about 6 feet away from us, said he had 7 feet, while we were in less than the 5’8” we draw! I backed out to the left and continued on without going aground again. We decided that will be the last time we try the Knapp’s Narrows shortcut.