Hey all,

[sailaway78]

Thanks for all the kind words and encouragment. Had no cell signal last night, so couldn't post up. So far this has been a mixed bag. Seems like the weather man has been waiting on us. After the run to Cape May, I was pretty whipped. We spent the rest of Sunday and Sunday night there. Monday morning we headed towards Deleware Bay. My body didn't think it could take another long offshore run. Monday was absolutely perfect. We had very light winds early on, but they picked up before noon, and we were on a broad reach all day long. Think we tacked twice. I did find out that the numbers I have for the mast height on this boat are a little off. It is supposed to be 48.6. Have the standard 3' antenna up there on top of that. The bridges in the Cape May canal are listed at 50. I waited until almost dead low tide to leave. Should have had 53 or 54 feet. The bridge post showed about 56. Yep, hit both bridges with the antenna. Going to have to rethink bridge clearances. Today was a totally differnt story. Just nasty out. Wind about 10 degrees off the stern, and following seas. Cold and raining between a drizzle and really raining. Early it was a maze of crab traps, or lobster pots or whatever they are, getting out of the anchorage. Ran about an two hours zig zagging around them. Finally got out of them and got some sail up. Ended up with just the jib up, as I couldn't imagine myself up on deck trying to douse the main and get it tied down. We were still making 5 to 6 knots lots of the time, and the sail helped settle down the motion some. Had enough of that crap about 2 PM, and anchored up for the night. We are in the upper end of Deleware Bay, almost due west of the C&D canal entrance. Anchored up behind a big power plant. Hope it's not nuclear and we are glowing by morning. We will be in the Chesapeak tomorrow, and headed south for real.Weather is supposed to be much better tomorrow, and for the rest of the week. Of course we all know how dependable the weather forecast is. Plans are to make Norfolk, then go through the ICW. untill we get pretty close to the Florida line. I can do the long offshore runs, but not the least bit interested in doing that if it's cold. Boy to be back south of I 10.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

I still say.................

U Da MAN !!!!Hope Lois is holding up well. I still remember our trip back from Florida in the winter. I was whipped everyday from the cold. I may be still a prisoner of Ingleside, Texas till end of Nov. Maybe i'll get disgusted and quit. Me and Helen really want to make the last leg of the trip back with you. Hope my job sched. works out. Take care and give my regards. Tony

 

[Jack Hart]

You go boy! (And gurl)!

I second Tony..."You da man!"I look forward to your posts Phil.JackSEA-YA!

 

[higgs]

Kule

Kool!

 

[Benny]

Rest stops.

You will need to make a couple of serious rest stops along the way for sleep, fresh water and provisions. Suggest Baltimore Harbor, Oriental in North Carolina and St Agustine in FL. Hook up with a south bound convoy and follow the Ditch at least until you get out of the Outer Banks. Like someone said. "The difference between and adventure and an ordeal, is attitude".

 

[Ross]

If you plan any stops in the upper Chesapeake

Rock Hall is probably the smallest detour, after that Solomans Island down on the Pax river. I don't know anything south of there. Baltimore harbor is a ways up the patapsco river

 

[s sauer]

Tolchester Marina

You seem to be south of the Salem Nuclear Power Plant on the Jersey side of the Delaware, just south east of the entrance to the C&D canal. After you transit the canal and head southwest into the Elk River to the Chesapeake, continue past the mouth of the Sassafras River and past Worton Point on the Eastern Shore; leave Pooles Island to Starboard, following the channel down to buoy #20 Tolchester Marina aprox LAT 37-12'-46", LONG 76-14'-40". Fuel, ships store, restaurant, transient slips, etc. Easy access right off the channel; aprox 6' at entrance jettys.

 

[Steve L22188]

Go get 'em!

I'm following your posts and your journey with great interest. Take care of your wife, your self and your boat. Please keep posting -- there are lots of us out here vicariously enjoying every part of your trip. Good luck and God Bless.