A cold front came through in the night as I slept in Ditches Cove. I felt the tight-hauled mizzen flap a bit as it worked to keep Annie into the wind, but the protected spot let me sleep. It was cooler as I made coffee and the wind, now out of the NE bent the top of the trees above us. Set out at 0730 heading west with wind on the beam, double reefed tucked.
I saw Steve and Spartina running downwind far ahead toward Kent Narrows presumably on the way to St. Michaels. I found out later that he had not seen me. With the short chop building I set Annie north close-hauled to beat toward Love Point where we could clear to cross back over the Bay. Still behind a spit of land I was able to shoot a short video before meeting the Chesapeake's fetch.
With the Magothey River entrance as a target, I furled more of the jib and took two rolls in on the mizzen. She sails with just jib and mizzen but I prefer the driving power of all sails, albeit minimal, together. Now on a broad reach Annie shot west. The steep chop of 2-3 feet height with only a little more length, was running perfectly parallel to the course. To be less vulnerable I found myself alternating direction. Heading up to quarter the wave and turning down to quarter as the wave passed underneath. Somewhat like a surfer 'hotdogging' on a short board. Speed was up with a consistent 7 knots and more. The rig and rudder vibrated and groaned but I never felt in trouble.
Nearing the shipping channel the tide starting flowing north and the seas became confused. A wave broke over the cockpit coaming but the seas started subsiding as we made the river entrance at noon. Continuing on the Magothey I anchored in the lee of Dobbins Island to rest and eat. After a nice nap I explored the upper reaches of the river, watched dinghy racers and grabbed a crab cake at The Point restarant. Anchored up Mill Creek turning in at 2100. 25.1 miles
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| Baltimore arbor Light, mouth of the Magothy |
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| Young sailors practicing |
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| Hard to beat a Maryland crab cake |
