It’s time to move forward again. Today’s destination is the Delaware City Marina located about 34 NM from Havre de Grace.We headed back across the bay following the tight channel and heading up the Elk River. There are several beautiful estates along the river. We had a following tide along with light southerly breezes that pushed us along at about 7 knots.Turning east into the C and D canal we passed the Chesapeake City Bridge, the Chesapeake town dock and Schaefer’s Canal House. These were all alternate stops incase the weather went bad. Our goal today was to set up for what could potentially be a rough run down the Delaware River to Cape May tomorrow. The current and wind on the canal was with us the whole length of the run. I had the engines at 600 rpm’s and we were traveling up to speeds of 10 knots. This was the most economical trip we’ve had so far.
After leaving the canal and entered the Delaware River we radioed the Delaware City Marina for our instructions while dodging outgoing ships. They were very explicit as to what they wanted us to do giving us step by step guidance into the tight channel passing the fire and police boats leading south in the Delaware City Branch Canal. We stopped for fuel and a pump out and then it was down further to our assigned dock space where they insisted on manually spinning our boat for an outward port tie. The dock was slowly filling with other loopers with the same goal in mind, to get the 1600 Delaware River briefing for the “go no go” decision for tomorrow. After our briefing which was held in the office it was decided that we would make a go of it to Cape May in the morning with a forecast of 2 foot seas 10 knot winds and an outgoing tide. The owner had filled our heads with the possible armageddon we may encounter along the river ahead since his lecture at the rendezvous in Norfolk but with proper planning and weather forecasts this all can be avoided.
After a quick docktail with our fellow loopers it was off to Kathy’s Crab House located a short walking distance from the marina. Delaware City is a small quiet town and Kathy’s was the only spot open for dinner. We had the chance to exchange boat cards with new friends and a couple loopers we had met before.
This was another day in the books and it was off to bed in anticipation of the Delaware River run tomorrow.