Fri Oct 2: Lookout Pt to Solomon's anchorage (Mill Creek)

 In which we regret not listening to Rick's inner voice ...

Rick speaking:

Sooooo, the sun slowly came up and we continued to bounce and roll around.   I had looked at the weather and knew that the wind, and thus the waves, would be high but I didn't insist we stay in Smith Creek, and we paid for it.  Not much sleep was had since we had to brace ourselves in order to even stay in our bed.

Here we go into the sound and fury.  WAY too early to suit Mel.

 

 I also knew that, as we rounded Lookout Point the waves, blown by the north wind, would be high.   But anything was better than sitting in the rolling swells so we weighed anchor (it came up covered in ocean bottom because it was Mel's turn to pull it up and spray down the chain) and headed out into the Chesapeake Bay...

 

We spent the first hour debating whether or not we should turn around.  It was NOT fun.  But the weather and wind apps showed that the waves would ease as we moved further northward.  We were both a bit skeptical but after about 90 minutes of pounding through 2 - 3 ft waves the sea started to calm and we became more comfortable.  

As we got closer to our destination, Solomons, Maryland, we cruised by the Patuxent Naval Air Station (known as PAX Naval station).   This is a multi-use facility housing an ultra low frequency, long distance communication station that allows the Navy to communicate with submarines around the world, and a Naval Air Testing/Training School.    We saw multiple jet airplanes doing touch and goes, and helicopters flying in formation as we rounded the point into the Patuxent River.

It was actually a beautiful day, once we got to calmer waters, and we saw a few sailboats coming out for a sail on the Chesapeake.  

We turned in at Solomons and the water became as smooth as glass.   Solomons is a sailing mecca.  There are at least 14 marinas with hundreds, if not thousands, of boats.   We slowly motored up one of the many creeks and found a nice, quiet anchorage with only a couple other boats anchored close by.   What a wonderful evening to spend with a full moon rising and completely calm water.   

We are members of the AGLCA (America's Great Loop Cruisers Association).  This is a group of cruisers that have done, are doing or plan to do the Great Loop.  In most locations there are "Harbor Hosts" - locals that make themselves available to provide information and help to us "Loopers".   As we dropped anchor we received a text from the local harbor hosts welcoming us.   They had seen us coming in (in fact they owned a house right where we chose to anchor) and offered to help if we needed anything.   A very nice welcome indeed!

 

It's like being anchored in the middle of a small cul-de-sac!

We love our new neighborhood - check out the stars.