May 29-31, 2012

Although well protected in Horseshoe Bend at St. Mary’s City we could sense there was brisk wind on the big Chesapeake pond when we awoke.  Our sense was confirmed when we passed the channel markers and could feel the ten 10-15mph Southwest wind fill Aurora’s sails, propelling us eastward at an unbelievable 8 ½ knots, her fastest ever.  As is usually the case it was not sustainable and upon turning northward she slowed considerably.  Still, we covered forty miles to our Solomon Island destination in 6 hours.  Feeling truly humbled after trying to set the anchor five times we opted to avoid further embarrassment and pick up a mooring ball.  Maybe someone was trying to tell us something.  Storms did come through during the night and next morning making us thankful to be secured on a big white ball.  With the weather overcast and intermittent showers it was the perfect chance to do the much-needed cleaning of the boat and laundry, still leaving time for an afternoon snooze.

Our plan was to arrive in Annapolis, MD on the west coast of the Chesapeake around 3:00p.m. today.  We’ve coined a new saying, or at least we think it’s new, “Cruisers can’t be choosers” to explain what we cannot control.  Up, dog to shore and on the water by 6:45a.m., winds expected out of the north at 10-15mph which we’ve ventured into before without a problem, or so we thought.  And actually it was not too bad to begin with, but as the wind increased to the higher than expected range, bringing 4–5 ft. waves on our nose, so did the realization we would need to head to a sheltered anchorage. After studying charts, guidebooks, and Active Captain, we exhausted the west coast possibilities where there were none closer than 30 miles.  Unable to face that many miles of tacking back and forth with little forward progress we gladly entertained changing plans and headed northeast to the Choptank River and along the east side of Tilghman Island. Not exactly close, but on the right tack to make forward progress without being battered about.  Sheltered from the northerlies we arrived at 12:45p.m in Waterhole Cove off Harris Creek.  After lunch and naps for all, Sherwood Township dock was just the ticket for Fitz’s evening shore duty.  Walking about a half mile took us past the twenty houses in the town and a beautiful cornfield across the peninsula to a locals beach hangout, Lowe’s Wharf overlooking the Chesapeake.  A place we would have never found except for our dramatic change in plans, sometimes it works out best if “Cruisers can’t be choosers.”