BACK TO THE CHESAPEAKE

We have tried to make a boat trip to the Chesapeake every fall, some years with more success than others. Weather is always the main factor, last year we didn't make it at all.

This year on the first leg to cape May, on a relatively calm but overcast day, we were treated with a wonderful sight, a first for me in this area. We came upon a large pod of Atlantic dolphins with many young, moseying their way along the surface.

It appeared to me that this mother was teaching her baby the joys of life in the sea.

Arriving in Cape May for a night at the Marina, the fish1ng fleet was at dock for the holiday.

From our slip at South Jersey Marina we had a great view of the commercial boats.

As we watches as a large flock of Boat-tailed Grackle arrived to perch on the lines. I wondered what the decks looked like the next day.

That evening the fleet lit up the water and made a beautiful sight.

The next morning as we waited for the sun to come out behind the clouds and the boats remained at rest,

I took one last shot of our "Snow Goose".

ON TO BALTIMORE

Finally getting underway, Chuck was happy to be back at the helm. Looking ahead at two rainy days, he decided to head to Baltimore where there would be plenty of things to do, rain or shine.

Heading under the bridge on the Cape May canal this Great Blue Heron chose to ignore us.

I always enjoy looking at the shoreline of the canal and the homes that boarder on it. This old gazebo took my eye as I had missed it on previous trips.

After a choppy trip bucking the current up the Delaware Bay and River, I was happy to finally reach the C&D Canal and pleased to see some early fall color in the trees there.

Arriving at the Inner Harbor Marine in Baltimore in the afternoon we settled in and found a good restaurant for dinner. The next morning we took off on foot to walk the waterfront, always a pleasant way to spend the day.

A visit to this replicate of the Chesapeake Bay Lighthouses is a good stop.

I had never noticed this Blue Crab near the Acquarium, perhaps it was new.

I appreciated this sign outside Dick's Dock Restaurant bragging about its award as "Baltimore Most Beautiful Eyesore".

The Constitution remains at an inner dock awaiting visitors.

As the rain began to fall on our way to the Science Museum we took shelter the the Visitor's Center with the Big Pink Poodle greeting us near the entrance. We spent the late afternoon at the movies watching "Money Ball" a really good movie.

BALTIMORE ON

We wakened our 3rd day in Baltimore to a light drizzle and heavy fog.

The Domino Sugar sign reflected eerily across the water. As the weather was predicted to get worse in a couple of days we decided to leave and head for Rock Hall on the Eastern Shore, a relatively short trip across the bay.

Leaving Baltimore we were accompanied by a lot of sailing ships as there was to be a race held later that morning further out on the bay.

After an uneventful trip, with our sharp eyed daughter watching for crab pots, we worked out way up the river to Haven Beach Marina.

The helpful, but whimsical dock master gave us a slip next to a boat of the same name. The couple, who were on their way to Florida's west coast when they were sure of a spell of good weather, spent their summers here at the Haven Marina.

The facilities at the Marina were very nice, but unfortunately they were already closed for the season. There was a swimming pool, tennis courts, restaurant, and bikes at the exorbitant price of $5 an hour. Since we had to go in town for lunch, it would have added $40 to our lunch bill, a bit much for "off season". We talked them into an hour free and Chuck and I picked out our bikes while my sister and daughter began walking to town.

First we watched the ducks bathing in the water.

Then we picked up our bikes and rode into town for lunch,

Detouring a bit to see some of the fall decorations done by the locals.

Back at the Marina for the afternoon we had a period of sunshine, perfect for photos of the tall masts against the blue sky.

At marinas I am always fascinated by the different ways skippers tie their boats to the cleats - some neatly, some not.



And by the names they bestow on their favorite toy.

Some are a very clever play on words.



Some leave you wondering about the true meaning.

We had a wonderful dinner that evening at the Swan Point Inn down the road and it included transportation both way. There we met a couple who were at the Inner Harbor Marina in Baltimore with us. A small world!!

The disintegrating weather on the way we left early the next morning to return to Cape May. After another rough ride down the Delaware, bucking the tide again, we entered the Canal just before the ferry left the dock.