After a brief but wonderful stay in the Chesapeake it was time to get moving north. I have to say we were unable to see many many friends and family this stop but we are going to do better in the fall. We have to say it was a real treat to have my Godson and Cousin aboard. Hopefully he will not soon forget!

It was

A little dreary out but the wind was down and the seas were calm.

Passed this beauty along the way….

We made a nice day passage from Annapolis up to Chesapeake City, MD. With a small “blow” coming through it was a great place to hold up and catch up with our friends from SV Minx. It was great to see Jay & Tonya but we did miss seeing Peanut!!! There was even a second Kadey Krogen, Magnolia is the good looking girl!

Yes there was Ice Cream

Chesapeake City is RIGHT on the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake_%26_Delaware_Canal ) Any ship from Northern Europe or East Coast US that is bound for Baltimore is going to come by here.

We were super excited to have our friends Jack & Kathys daughter come by for dinner and a visit.

It was great to spend time these ladies. It was great talking with these ladies. It was wonderful to hear there thoughts on future and eve a couple ideas on fashion!!!

The “blow” decided to hand on a bit longer than for farcast but Magnolia and Crew were game to make the passage down the Delaware Bay to set up for a an easy arrival to Cape May, NJ the following day.

Preparing to drop the anchor, my look kind of covers my thoughts on the weather

After a rolly night we woke to a lovely morning and easy entrance into the “back-door” at Cape May New Jersey.

Inlet at Cape May

We are very familiar Harriet Tubmans work in Cambridge, MD though completely unaware of her presence here in Cape May.

Because of our short stay in the Chesapeake we did not have time to visit the Tennar Homestead…thankfully Jack and Kathy were will to meet us in Cape May.

Always a great time together and we found this wonderful little Italian place in town.

More on Harriet Tubman

While I stayed aboard Magnolia wrapping up a couple of things, the Admiral toured the Emlen Physick Estate (https://www.capemaymac.org/emlen-physick-estate).

A weather window opened so Magnolia made a dash up the coast of New Jersey. Really was one of the best passages we have had with the exception of fog over night

This para glider boat for some unknown reason decided to cross our bow with a chute up. Kinda nots and well REALLY stupid. A whole ocean…..

Our arrival into New York coincided with favorable tide conditions allowed us to transit the East River and the formable Hells Gate passage into Long Island Sound.

Entering New York Harbor though the Verrazano Bridge ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verrazzano-Narrows_Bridge )

Last year with our friends on Kindred Spirit we anchored behind the Statue Of Liberty, this year she marks our right turn into the East River. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Liberty )

Lower Manhattan & Battery ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Battery_(Manhattan) )

Transiting up the East River

Approaching Port Washington after a 24 hour passage

It was a great trip up the coast and now a time to slow down a bit!

Long time followers know we are are gifted many many memorable moments…sharing time and experiences with those close to us. This couple of weeks…well we have made memories in spades. The week started with our return to our home marina, Hartges Yacht Harbor in Galesville, MD. The boatyard has been a family owned bussiness for well over a 100 years. It is easy to feel at home….it was good do be home.

First up was a reunion of some our Freshmen Class, 2013 sailing south class that is! MaryMarie has always been the best when it comes to the conch shell….when she is not signaling sunset with a shell she us playing her tuba….yea she is definitely a ringer!!!

SV Mandala – Ron & Nancy sailed to the Bahamas and sailed to Europe for a couple years until scooting down the coast of Africa to the Caribbean…most definitely most adventurous of us.

SV Exuberant – Burt & Prue have been running the coast a couple more years than the rest of us but have always appreciated learning from them. SV Eleanor Q, found adventures beyond cruising…yea I know…and yet they always welcome us home with open arm…and hearts too! What a wonderful and memorable evening at “Camp Quigley”

The “Cleckner Kids” had not a round-up recently and they were willing to come out for a Magnolia visit. Ellie and I did some kids stuff soldering on some gadgets while the “adults” caught up. I think everyone had a nice afternoon!!!

Lovely thing about Hartges is the lovely views afforded of the west River.

My Godson & Cousin came for a visit and a four day tour! The Admiral made the Watson/Tennar/Steinke stateroom as welcoming as you can make any space on a boat.

My cousin in-law Julie provided the art work which really adds the art flair!!!

My cousin Dan & Lori were kind enough to provide transportation out to Galesville. We are not experienced hosts for non-boaters so we were all going to larn together!

Schwab Leo went right to work safely piloting us across the Chesapeake Bay.

We anchored in Pickering Creek off the Wye River which happens to be home to Audubon Center . We walked around the facility and surrounding preserve

We also made a stop at the nearby Chesapeake Bay Herb Society…who would’a thunk?

After returning “mom” to Magnolia, Leo and I went out a played in Blossom for a bit!

The following day Magnolia made the trip back across the Chesapeake Bay and took up a mooring in Annapolis MD.

The crew got right to touring Annapolis. You know what they say, you never see your own backyard until someone come to visit. I am too embarrassed to say how many “spots” I have never visited ! First Stop, Maryland State Capital.

Annapolis was also the temporary capital of the United States in 1783. It was also where Washington resigned his military commision on December 23, 1783.

American author Alex Haley has a monument in downtown Annapolis…”Haley has stated that the most emotional moment of his life occurred on September 29, 1967, when he stood at the site in Annapolis, Maryland, where his ancestor had arrived from Africa in chains exactly 200 years before. A memorial depicting Haley reading a story to young children gathered at his feet has since been erected in the center of Annapolis. — Wikipedia

Next up was a guided tour of the Naval Academy. What a wonderful day it was. Our tour guide was a retired Naval Officer who gave an amazing tour!

The Academy Chapel is open to the public for weekly services as well as the occasional Organ recital.

Below the Chapel is the Crypt Of John Paul Jones the famous Revolutionary War Commander. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Paul_Jones )

It kind of cracked me up that Admirals Zumwalt & Burke had some of the largest and “loudest” stones in the cemetery. Kind of matched the personalities….

The recently deceased Senator John McCain’s resting place. People have left various trinkets celebrating his life. He is certainly missed…

Walked out the side door of the Academy and poof, there was Magnolia sitting proud

At end of the week…at the completion of the final examines including a bowline knot, Leo was promoted from Schwab to Mate First Class

It was a wonderful week of having Sheridan and Leo aboard. We hope they will choose to embark again! It was great to be back home. There are many people we did not get to visit….we will be working n that the month of September!!!!

Passing near by Thimble Shoal Lighthouse near Hampton, VA (
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thimble_Shoal_Light )

Typical spring weather on the Chesapeake…afternoon thunderstorm threat. Magnolia made the passage from Hampton to Reedsville, VA and then following day onto Solomons Island. MD.

Solomons Island is on the Patuxent River just north of the Potomac River. Test question: What historic role does the Patuxent River play in US history? (Answer at end of post)

We stopped in Solomons to attend some medical appointments in DC. The upside of the schedule was visiting with relatives. We had a terrific evening with cousin George and GenIV MaryRose along with cousins Dan & Lori.

Annette also had the time to visit with the ladies as well. Meg, Carol, Lori and Annette. We are so blessed to have friends that have stayed with us despite the crazy life style.

We were also able to connect with Chris and Melody. Though our crusing paths have not crossed outside of Solomons and each of our travels have been distant….it is still nice to connect once again.

In addition they were speaking at the Pentagon Sailing Club so it was great to share in that event as well!

Though somehow the picture escaped us…we were blessed to share time with Sail-Runaway. Matt & Marty took us in off the street. We always have a great time!

Annette kept busy in the sewing room. This is the fabric that Annette made during our visit to Andros Bahamas.

There were sail bags to produce as well. These are the much sought after ‘Bowline Bag!”

Annette is the only person I know who can make a bowl with a sewing machine. Granted it is interlaced with Andros Fabrics.

Departing Solomon Island we traveled north to Deale MD to top up the fuel tanks before heading for New England later next month. After taking on 175 gallons we headed east to the Wye River.

The Wye River is is located on Marylands Eastern Shore and rather remote. A lovely place to get away from it all. Well almost all. Our second day this sail boat came in and anchored near us rather than where one might expect a 1/4 mile to the east!!! Oh well, he must have been lonely.

The one bad thing about the Chesapeake Bay is the how little access there is since so much of the land is privately owned. Here in the Wye there are a couple place to go ashore for a walk,

A lovely loop around the park with plenty of green.

The big reason were in the Wye was to participate in the Pentagon Sailing Club Memorial Day Raft-up . We actually do not raft -up but anchor nearby and dinghy to the raft.

It was a great turn out as you can see….

Our friends on SV Bootlegger were obviously awake long before we were….thank you Sean & Laurie

Sean & Laurie

Mike & Tina

Anthony & Annette

We had a wonderful weekend and it was great to catch up with friends. It was time to head into Galesville for a few chores, visit friends and a few appointments. Life is pretty darn good and grateful to be living it.