The return to Rock Hall
We returned to Portsmouth and the boat on Sunday morning 4/5. After getting things squared away and re-fueling, we returned the rental car to Enterprise with the help of Monk friends Alan and Patti Sutton. Because the WX forecast for the next few days was not good, we wanted to move north as soon and as far as possible so we left Ocean Marine at 12:30 Sunday afternoon. We made it to anchor in Jackson Creek by 7:00 PM after a few uncomfortable final hours underway, in following seas that kept building with the southerly wind. Monday we stayed anchored in Jackson Creek and relaxed in comfort as rain and wind moved through the area and severe weather, including some tornado watches, threatened the Norfolk and North Carolina area to our south.
Tuesday’s weather was not great and featured pretty windy and rough conditions on the Bay so we decided to endure a short (27 NM) but uncomfortable run up to Reedville, VA - just south of the Potomac River. We were anchored by 11:15 AM and relaxed for the remainder of the day as the wind continued to blow even in the relative shelter of the creek. Late in the afternoon we discovered we had dragged anchor somewhat, and had to move out into the center of the creek a bit farther and re-set our anchor. The anchor held us fine through the night and in the morning the weather forecast sounded somewhat reasonable (but not great) for our next leg up the Bay to Solomon’s Island, MD.
The first hour wasn’t too bad with moderate wind on our port quarter but as we reached the more exposed mouth of the Potomac we found the seas were well whipped up to 4’ – 6’ by the wind which was blowing against the out-flowing tidal current of the river. This provided a very rough and rolly ride across the river’s mouth that lasted about 2 1/2 hours. Once north of Point Lookout, the ride settled down somewhat for a while but as we got farther north and near the Patuxent River, the wind really increased out of the west. By the time we had to turn into the river, the entire area was a white froth of water blowing right at us. We continued the slog into the wind and waves and finally entered the harbor and called Zahniser’s, one of our all time favorite marinas, and dock master (Ms.) Terry, directed us to a great T-head spot where she was waiting to catch our lines and “welcome us back”.
Once tied up with the shore power cord connected, we turned on the heat to warm the cabin – in addition to the wind, the weather has been quite cool since we left Portsmouth on Sunday. The first thing we did was connect the hose and re-filled the water tank. Then I hosed off a coating of salt spray that had the boat pretty well covered from top to waterline, as Polly set things right in the interior. We had been underway in rough conditions and “living on the hook” for four days, so we both took advantage of the fine bath house facilities at Zahniser’s and luxuriated in long, hot showers followed by naps. We had decided to celebrate our arrival at Solomon’s by having dinner at Stoney’s Kingfishers – one of our favorite seafood restaurants on the Bay. At dinner we toasted the near-completion of our winter adventure, FLIGHT South, with a couple of Yuengling drafts and hoped the good forecast for the next day would hold.
Thursday morning we left the dock before 07:00 with the sun rising over the Eastern Shore and in conditions that seemed to be consistent with the forecast. Great weather - remained with us the entire day. It was pleasantly sunny and nearly flat calm for the entire 8 hour cruise up the Bay. Our enclosed bridge kept us warm and cozy, while we had coffee and breakfast there and later finished off the left over seafood we brought back from last night’s dinner, for our lunch. The auto helm did most of the steering while we took turns at watch standing and relaxed and read as the miles wound away behind us. This weather was a great and heavenly gift we were receiving as our welcome home to Rock Hall and Spring Cove. We were just finishing up our lunch as we approached the Bay Bridge and by 2:45 were tied up in slip E-1 where we will stay for the next few weeks as we haul the excess things off FLIGHT. We topped off our arrival with a big hug from marina owner and friend, Madelyn Reni. It was just as exciting a feeling to be back, as it was to have departed last October.
Trip Summary
v Departed October 3, 2008 and returned April 9, 2009
v 2300 total miles
v 309 engine hours
v 900 gallons diesel fuel
v 3 visits home
v 3 land excursions in Florida to visit with family and friends
v 120 days living aboard the boat
v Many, many interesting acquaintances and new friends