We stayed through Labor Day to let the crazies go home then hoisted anchor and set sail this morning back to the Solomons. We had a beautiful run down the Bay; nice weather, pilothouse door open, good tunes on the stereo. Very little traffic today; a couple skipjacks were sailing to the east, several sailboats headed north up the Bay, and a large CNG ship unloading at a Cove Point facility decides to get underway just as we pass. Do we hold up and let him gain speed and cross in front of us? Do we speed up and cross in front of him while he is still getting underway? We opt for the second choice and, though all went well, I probably won’t do that again. Something about a large ship gaining on you as you throttle up to get out of its way makes an indelible impression.
While in Annapolis we had an insurance survey done and the surveyor found a few minor items that we want to correct. Things like “put a cover on the positive lead to the windlass motor”. So, we will stop back in Zahniser’s Yachting Center to address them before continuing on south. It is nice to have a thorough survey of our complex home with no faults of any significance found.
Weather is still hot, though it is cooling off in the evenings now, and we thoroughly enjoy sitting on the “lido deck :-)” watching sunsets on the water, ducks and geese, osprey, boats, and people. Some leaves are falling though Fall colors have net yet appeared. September and October are the best on Chesapeake Bay and we can see why. This beautiful geography splashed with Fall colors must be a sight to behold. We will linger as long as we can but have obligations in Memphis at the end of October and will need to head down to Brunswick GA to pick up our car by month’s end.