Oct.10
We woke early this am and are enjoying a cup of coffee and looking out the port at the lights shining on the masts of the boats - at the show!! We are finally in Annapolis and not only made it in time for opening day but most unbelievably were able to moor just a short dinghy ride in. So many steps to get here - some planned, some not - and yet we did it!

The last week has been a whirlwind of days and experiences after leaving Sandy Hook for a 22 hour journey down the Atlantic Coast to Cape May. That leg of our journey drove home for us how important it is to stay prepared for anything, wait until the conditions are right and know that the North Atlantic has to be treated with respect!

We waited four days for the right weather window. Just as we were finally heading out, another boat was returning to Sandy Hook 8 hours after it had left, with its sails now shredded and the crew looking green.

Shortly after that, we passed a barge carrying a 40 ft boat that was destroyed when it went aground after being pushed on to the shore by 30 knot winds the previous day. We had heard their radio call to the Coast Guard for help. They were asked to phone in with the details as radio communication was poor and not surprisingly their response was, 'Yea when I find a phone booth I'll call you!'

We had a great journey for the first several hours of our 22 hour overnight trip - good winds, favorable currents and an almost full moon lighting up the waters around us. We were even finally able to sail for a while! Mistress was in her element back sailing on her home waters.

However, as we passed Atlantic City in the middle of the night, conditions changed. The moon went down over the horizon and for the last 6 hours, we were in a washing machine with 20 plus knots on the nose and big seas.

We got a ride and a half as we entered into Cape May with an ebb tide. Watching the Niagara 42 ahead of us get turned on her ear is a sight we never want to see again, especially when this was the much bigger, sturdier boat we have been traveling with. However, the skipper kept her under control and his quote is priceless "I felt the wind in my face and a bone in teeth, bring me my red jacket and my brown pants!"

We were disappointed that we didn't notice the pods of dolphins that greeted us as we entered and left this churning harbour - but we were too focused on holding on!

The next day, it was a long, slow ride against the tide and currents through the Delaware River to the C&D Canal. Recognizing and dodging the crab pots and freighters became new challenges, especially as the sun started to go down while we searched for a harbour with the depth we needed. Who knew the lights on a 5 story freighter could blend in with and be mistaken for a bridge? Then to add to the excitement, it started to rain. We were all so thankful for the voice and lights of the unknown skipper who guided us into a narrow, shallow, safe harbour that dark, rainy night!

We entered Chesapeake Bay the next day and had a much better ride (although more *#! crab pots). Like most boaters we were mainly using electronic GPS but also referenced the paper charts throughout the trip. They now became our main navigation tool as the recently purchased updated charts for GPS quit mid-way across the Chesapeake. Thankfully we had been following them along the way (and that Lequesteau was following us across the bay)!

We had had a few long days in a row and were all glad to pick up one of a few mooring balls mid-afternoon at an idyllic anchorage behind Dobbins Island in Sillery Bay in the Magathy River. We were just 5 miles from Annapolis and could catch a cab from around the corner to the Boat Show. We made it!

In the morning, we decided to scout around to see if there were other possibilities to moor any closer to the show. When we motored past a field of masts in one anchorage, we didn't expect to find anything available. Unbelievably, when we reached the show harbour, there were just a few boats anchored...could this be possible?? The elderly Harbourmaster came by to verify that it was fine for us to anchor there but we needed to be aware that the area is Navy controlled and the law is that if anyone runs into us, we're at fault?! We felt more comfortable when he could only recall that ever happening once.

Once the anchor was settled, we took the dingy in to scout out the show, especially the various items we wanted to either purchase or get info about. The show was a different experience for us this year. Usually, we're most interested in climbing aboard the variety of shiny new multi-million $ boats that we could only dream about owning. The only one we toured this time was the Mooring 58 ft Cat. Seems like a football field with sails - 6 cabins, 6 heads, and a bridge deck with a BBQ that rivals the ones at LSYC. Now that's roughing it! Thank you, Moorings for the tour, food, beer and a glimpse of how the other half lives.

We've been here for 5 days now and as well as moving to a mooring ball, have picked up many of the need-to-get items on our list and lots of tips through a variety of seminars. We've also enjoyed meeting up with other folks here - Roman and Olia from LSYC; Steve and Katie from 50 Point as well as others who are on their way south, too. It has been especially neat to see the reaction from others who drove here and find out that we brought our boat from Toronto, 'Wow that is incredible! I don't think I could ever be as adventurous as that!'' Well, neither do I - but here we are!!

Yesterday was Thanksgiving and we enjoyed a memorable 5 course feast on Lequesteau with Greg and Caroline while watching the entire boat show being dismantled in 4 or 5 hours. What a sight - enjoying appetizers and sun downers and having multimillion dollar boats motor by 6 feet from the boat. We have so much to be thankful for - family, friends new and old and the wonder of whatever adventures lie ahead!