Depart: Cape May, Utsch's Marina, 9:50
Arrive: Summit North Marina, Bear, DE 6:15
Distance: 59 nm
Given earlier predictions on wave heights in Delaware Bay, we expected to be held captive in Cape May until Sunday. However, Clark reviewed the wave heights early this morning and decided that we could "make a break for it" if "Home Too" was amenable. Franklin and Cathy voted "Aye", and we threw ourselves into high gear to make our escape as quickly as possible. As it was a last-minute decision to move, it took some time to prepare to depart. We managed to leave just before 10:00.
Clark said it would be a slow ride up the Delaware River, and he was not joking. The further along we got, the worse the numbers. We saw our speed continuously drop 8.8 became 7.7 became 6.6 and eventually barely 6.0 knots. You know it is a slow day on the water when you celebrate to be going 6.8 knots. When we got over 7 knots we were cheering!
As we traveled north on the Delaware River bucking the current, all sorts of debris (tree branches and lumber) came our direction as it floated out with the tide. We saw huge planks floating by including some with long nails protruding from the boards! The area has experienced heavy flooding due to a storm out in the ocean.
We hoped to stay tonight at Delaware City where we have stayed in the past. However, when we talked to them, they directed us to call the Summit North marina. Delaware City Marina closed at 5:00 p.m., and we would not arrive until closer to 6:00. Given their "tricky" dock setup, they do not want anyone tying up without them on hand to assist. We contacted Summit North, and they said they would accommodate us.
Another possibility for a place to stay for the night was the Chesapeake City free dock. Clark contacted our friend Kenny on "Daybreak" to ask if the city had a camera on the dock so we could see if there would be room for us. Kenny did one better ... he drove by in his car and checked it out for us. The docks were full, so no go there.
We were well pleased with the day's travel in that we never saw anything close to the 3-5 foot waves that were predicted. We had calm waters for the entire trip and very little boat traffic. Even the commercial traffic seemed to be staying off the river. Even so, by the time we reached Summit North Marina, we were all ready to call it a day.
Views on today's travels included ...
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| Clark saw a railroad bridge up ahead, so |
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| he tried for the "down-the-tracks" picture. |
Due to a full moon and flooding from tropical depression Melissa, "Sunset Delight" rode high enough in the water to allow Clark to try for a "down the tracks" picture. Normally, the tracks would be so high he would not be able to look down them for a picture.
We passed four small lighthouses in Delaware Bay ... Cross Ledge, Miah Maull Shoal, Brandy Wine, and Ship John Shoal Lighthouse.
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| Cross Ledge Lighthouse |
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| Ship John Shoal Lighthouse |
Salem Nuclear power plant was on our starboard side as we traveled the Delaware River.
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| Salem Nuclear Power Plant in NJ |
We arrived at Summit North Marina in time to get some great twilight and sunset pictures.
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| Late-day arrival at the C&D Canal |
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| Sunset at the Summit North Marina docks |
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| Night sky in Bear, Delaware |
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