Sassafras River to Chesapeake City, MD

Saturday, 27 June 2015

We awoke this morning with the boat covered in bugs a little bigger than mosquitos that have deposited blue green dots everywhere.  Someone later in the day told me they were may flies.  All I know is they are washed away by the hundreds with the spray nozzle of the washdown hose, and leave a blue green covering that could not be easily washed off.

We pulled anchor at 0620 to get an early enough start to not be bucking a tide before the C & D Canal.  Especially crucial this morning was a forecast of high winds later in the day.  We were in the lee of the high land surrounding the eastern bank as we worked our way northward.  

We tucked into the Bohemia River, wondering if a good choice would be to stop for two days to let the weather pass.  There was a 3' tide today, and we were at high, with only 7'  Notes on Active Captain says a SE wind can blow the water out of the bay, so we changed our minds and continued on.  I have no doubt we could have found a deep enough anchorage, I just didn't want to be stuck where I had to cross shallow water for a couple of miles to get out.  I figured 0800 was too early to pull into a marina.  <g>

We continued into the C & D Canal and up to Chesapeake City in the rain.  

Chesapeake City has a basin along the south side of the canal, that turns to the east after you enter.  There are gov't docks on the northern side, the westernmost had a fireboat, while the remainder appeared to belong to the COE.  There were docks all along the southern and western shore, and a small anchorage between.

There were 3 boats anchored along the centerline, and we chose to drop the hook a little to the south of them, with a short scope.  Our friends Casey and Mary had come in last night, and were tied to the municipal floating dock near the entrance.  Another Nordic Tug, Rejoice, was a couple hours behind us.

When Rejoice docked at the Chesapeake Inn Marina, we went over to dock long enough to eat lunch and enjoy a nice visit with Jim and Linda.

Then, the Dessert 1st moved off the dock they were on for a smaller one further in the corner, allowing us into their space.  The new floating municipal dock is great.  I wish it were a smidgen deeper.  We entered with our 4'4" draft barely allowing maneuverability.  The strong winds from the SE put us right where we needed to be without stirring up the mud too much.

The municipal floating docks are new, and are free for a 24 hr stay.  There is a $10 fee for water, and a $15 fee for electric.  

We walked around town, with many of its houses from the 1860's, before being chased back to the boat with the rain.

Later in the evening, the MERCY crew and the DESSERT 1ST crew joined the REJOICE crew on their boat for a lovely visit.  What a great way to spend a rainy day!