The Chesapeake waters are a lovely coffee colour and surprisingly warm, well that’s warmer than Long Island Sound. After making our way through the Chesapeake/Delaware canal. We headed for the Sassafras River where we were greeted with a plethora of crab pots. It was decided to dodge these under sail as any errors wouldn’t be exacerbated with a line around the propeller. We anchored with Tourterelle at Lilly Pad Beach and enjoyed our new tranquil surroundings. We were well protected from the forecast wind, that didn’t eventuate. We weathered the rain with aMexican Train day and enjoyed a farewell drink with Ian and Ann. They’re heading to Europe to see their family and they needed to get Tourterelle to a marina south of Annapolis.

After a sad farewell (we have been sailing together on and off once for 5 months) we went in search of water and provisions. This took Aura a little further upstream to Georgetown. We found a great restaurant "The Granary" and worked off lunch by walking a few miles to the next town that had a supermarket. Georgetown is a good size but is wall to wall or dock to dock marinas. In the US it’s just expected everybody has car (or an oversized ute / pickup truck). After an easy walk passing several farms and corn fields, we found a small grocery store that sold a few basics including some fruit and veg. We were good for another week.

Sassafras River

Walk to the supermarket

It was time for a change so we motored our way back down the river to the Chesapeake and towards the Corsica River. More wind and rain was forecast so another protected anchorage was selected. The wind was fickle so it was a day of motoring…..another pleasant anchorage and even more remote. It’s surprising how sparse the population is spread around these water ways. The rain poured down but no wind. We passed the time with cooking and baking fruit buns. Once the weather improved it was time check out Annapolis.

Corsica River

We made our way to Annapolis on the Monday of what had been a very wet long weekend. Fortunately the sun was finally out and so was every motor boat, yacht and dingy making the most of the labour day long weekend. We dodged the traffic out of the river and crossed the Chesapeake. Our timing for anchoring in Back Creek was less than perfect. The creek is lined with marinas and the first anchoring area is about 90 meters wide in soft mud. Lady Rebel had passed us somewhere along the way and made it to Annapolis before us. They had anchored in a prime position and advised two other yachts had just arrived taking up the valuable space, let’s call it the channel. We dropped the hook with a steam of yachts making their way home dodging around us. We found it a little stressful but the locals must be accustom to the challenge of anchored yachts anchored in their path. “All Good” we eventual got a good hold and it was time for catch-up sundowners with Ken & Jen.

Annapolis

Annapolis Walk

Technically we anchored in Eastport, sometime way back this was separated as a town from Annapolis but in reality its all the same place. We took Helios to the Fourth Street dingy dock (choice also with Fifth Street dingy dock), crossed the bridge (Spa Creek) and wondered around Annapolis. It’s famous for the Maritime Naval Academy and the State House (parliament). Their State House was established in 1783 and it is the oldest that is still in legislative use. It’s also famous as its where George Washington resignation of his commission and also where the treaty of Paris took place for the revolutionary war (1784). Annapolis has lovely architecture with different coloured plaques to signify the buildings age.

Kim was taking an opportunity to pop down to Florida and catch up with Monique however hurricane Irma put a stop to that. Monique evacuated and took the kids to New England. We had concern that Irma may run up the east coast but that didn’t eventuate. We watched the news and Facebook reports of the destruction that took place in the beautiful Caribbean islands that we had only recently enjoyed. Very sad for the loss of life and damage to so many people’s homes in what are very poor countries.

As the Annapolis boat show nears, the anchorage filled up. La Mischief arrived, they are also have travel plans departing for California and Australia. Naturally a sundowner catch up was required.

We received bad news about Kim’s dad being very sick and she rushed home. Unfortunately he passed away before she got home. Kim is now there supporting her mum and making helping with the funeral arrangements. She’s written the eulogy that is a celebration of his life. Our lives are short. We should all make the most and live them to the fullest. We are trying our best.

Aura is now at a marina in South River, we’re soon heading to Johannesburg to celebrate Steve’s 60th and then back to the States to catch up with other friends.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the one you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sales. Explore. Dream. Discover” – Mark Twain