La Trappe to Solomons

We had quite a romp down to Solomons yesterday. The forecast called for 15 to 20 knots with gusts to 25, seas at 3 feet. In the northern portion of the sail, we could have added 5 knots to all those numbers in the forecast. We encountered small squalls throughout the trip. As to the wind and seas, the bulk of the heavy work was exiting the Choptank River with wind against tide. We started with a single reef and then had to triple reef the main and sheet out only a tee shirt of jib to keep her under six knots. Our purpose for slowing down was to gain better control in the close seas. The wind and swell eased up the further we came south. We sailed through the bridge and motored up to Mill Creek. Our anchor is dug in at a protected anchorage to wait out the blow and some thunderstorms. We are expecting favorable winds tomorrow for making more miles south. The weather for this time period is the result of a cold front encountering the remnants of TS Lee.

From Choptank River

We enjoy this anchorage on Mill Creek because we have room to put out more scope for holding and when the wind is right, we are on the final approach for the military aircraft at the research facility. It is hard to get anything done when we run out every 10 minutes to look at another plane!

I think I have mentioned we have been told we are heading south too soon, that everyone waits until October when it is cold to head south. As Arizonans and former Floridians, in our opinion 65 degrees is cold. Hey, we saw the geese working south already! While it pulled at our heart strings to leave the pleasant cruising grounds around the Choptank River area, we feel drawn south. For now, we will try to take advantage of the cold fronts coming from the north.

Again, we thank you for your prayers and thank God that Katia is making a turn north and forecast to go eastward. Now we shall watch tropical storm Maria as she is making her way west.

We have received news that Myron's dad is in the hospital and we are trying to get further information. We ask for your prayers for Myron's dad, mother and all the family. We do not know at this point what impact this may have on our cruising plans.

Love to all,
Dena


Posted via Wifi.
{GMST}38|20.138|N|076|30.210|W|Mill Creek|Solomons{GEND}