Is this that cruising I’ve heard people talking about? So far, I like it. Yesterday, I slept late, moved a bit over three miles to another anchorage and just hung out. After this morning’s post, I had a shower, washed the dishes, and sat out in the cockpit pondering what to do next.
I’d been intrigued by the view of the head of navigation when I turned around Sunday. There was too much wind to attempt the narrow channel up to what is humorously known as “The Port of Easton”. With strong winds in the forecast and the number of nice sheltered spots I’d noted along the river, I decided it was as good a destination as any.
I ran up the river under power, pleased not to see any sign of oil smoke from the crankcase breather reconfiguration. The narrow channel up to the port was interesting because the deep water is, for the most part, on the side opposite from what the chart indicates. I ran into on spot so hard that the bow went way down as the boat stopped but Strider backed right off. This is definitely a local knowledge area but I’m getting used to how easily such knowledge is acquired. I picked up a bit more before just turning the chart over and feeling my way with the depthsounder.
The “port” has a long dock and a closed (soon to reopen I later learned) marina with defunct businesses all around. There is good water though and I docked in the space that didn’t say “Loading and Unloading Only”. A local fellow came down with his grandson and said no one is really paying any attention to the place and I could stay overnight regardless of the signs. He then mentioned that he is about a month from launching his boat and starting cruising with his grandson so I invited them aboard for a gam.
The grandson is just the right age to introduce to cruising and was clearly enjoying being in the cabin. His grandfather is a photographer with many, many pictures in National Geographic (and the back page of the current “National Fisherman” issue). After he left, he brought the owner of the marina over to meet me. That fellow offered me the use of his gas dock if I wanted to stay the night since they haven’t opened yet. Very friendly place.
A few other people stopped by and everyone commented on the 40 knot gusts in the forecast. I hung around and waited, thinking that dock would be a nice place to be when they came but it just got calmer and nicer. Meanwhile, I hauled the dinghy out on a convenient low landing stage right at Strider's stern, scrubbed off the impressive accumulation of growth from a few weeks of mostly sitting, and put on a quick coat of wax.
I finally decided the winds weren't coming, got underway and headed about a mile down the river, easing my way around a fleet of rowing shells, and anchored in cove that should provide good protection if those winds should arrive in the night.
Tomorrow, who knows?
I’d been intrigued by the view of the head of navigation when I turned around Sunday. There was too much wind to attempt the narrow channel up to what is humorously known as “The Port of Easton”. With strong winds in the forecast and the number of nice sheltered spots I’d noted along the river, I decided it was as good a destination as any.
I ran up the river under power, pleased not to see any sign of oil smoke from the crankcase breather reconfiguration. The narrow channel up to the port was interesting because the deep water is, for the most part, on the side opposite from what the chart indicates. I ran into on spot so hard that the bow went way down as the boat stopped but Strider backed right off. This is definitely a local knowledge area but I’m getting used to how easily such knowledge is acquired. I picked up a bit more before just turning the chart over and feeling my way with the depthsounder.
The “port” has a long dock and a closed (soon to reopen I later learned) marina with defunct businesses all around. There is good water though and I docked in the space that didn’t say “Loading and Unloading Only”. A local fellow came down with his grandson and said no one is really paying any attention to the place and I could stay overnight regardless of the signs. He then mentioned that he is about a month from launching his boat and starting cruising with his grandson so I invited them aboard for a gam.
The grandson is just the right age to introduce to cruising and was clearly enjoying being in the cabin. His grandfather is a photographer with many, many pictures in National Geographic (and the back page of the current “National Fisherman” issue). After he left, he brought the owner of the marina over to meet me. That fellow offered me the use of his gas dock if I wanted to stay the night since they haven’t opened yet. Very friendly place.
A few other people stopped by and everyone commented on the 40 knot gusts in the forecast. I hung around and waited, thinking that dock would be a nice place to be when they came but it just got calmer and nicer. Meanwhile, I hauled the dinghy out on a convenient low landing stage right at Strider's stern, scrubbed off the impressive accumulation of growth from a few weeks of mostly sitting, and put on a quick coat of wax.
I finally decided the winds weren't coming, got underway and headed about a mile down the river, easing my way around a fleet of rowing shells, and anchored in cove that should provide good protection if those winds should arrive in the night.
Tomorrow, who knows?
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