6/13/14:  The weather window we had waited on arrived so at 5:30 am this morning we left Delaware City Marina, Delaware.  We can’t say enough about the hospitality of the marina owner & the shop owners in the town. A must stop if you are passing through.

Leaving Bad Weather Behind

As we approached Ship John Shoal which is the marker designating leaving Delaware River and entering the Delaware Bay, the water became calm & flat but the pea soup fog rolled in.  Not a problem we will take the pea soup any day when the water is this calm. The day after our crossing, the wave heights on the Delaware Bay were reported to be around 6 foot. Thanking the Lord for His protection & the beautiful day He gave us.

Ship John Shoal 

Marks the split between Delaware River & Delaware Bay

Pea Soup Conditions Delaware Bay

Upon arrival in Cape May, New Jersey since we left our home port in Green Cove Springs, Florida on 4/2/14:

• ·         74 days have passed of which 43 have been spent in marinas mainly due to weather.
• ·         Navigated through 7 States
• ·         Traveled 987 Nautical Miles

We continue to meet other Loopers along the way and pinch ourselves every day just to make sure we aren’t dreaming this amazing life we are living.

Seven Boats Left Delaware Marina Heading to Cape Mae

These were 3 following us - Steve on Miss Hadley is right behind us.

In Cape May, NJ we stayed at the very protected (wind & current) Utsch’s Marina.  

Utsch's Marina

6/12/14: Still at Delaware City Marina due to the weather. The Delaware Bay is to be respected as she can get uncomfortable in less than ideal conditions.  There have been some Loopers who have come and gone but most only got as far as Cape May and are sitting.

Our trip from Baltimore to Delaware City took us through the C&D Canal which is a 14 mile long cut between Chesapeake Bay & Delaware Bay. Cargo ships & military vessels from all over the world pass through this channel.  More than 15 million tons of cargo passes through the C&D Canal each year.

Entrance to C&D Canal

Captain Steve on Miss Hadley Following Us on the C&D Canal

Heading to the Delaware Bay we passed Chesapeake City, MD. Many Loopers take advantage of this stop as it offers a free dock & good restaurants. We continued past Chesapeake City on to Delaware Bay Marina.

Chesapeake City, MD

Chesapeake City Free Dock

The Delaware City Marina was originally going to be a one night stop. But as most Loopers know plans change with the wind. We arrived on 6/6 and are still here today 6/12. The Marina staff and local shop owners have all been very welcoming.

Twelve Stones was at the end of the dock. Good spot.

Park Next To Delaware City Marina 

Nice Place for Ike

Delaware City Marina

Every morning most of us from the dock meet at the Cordelias Bakery Café to discuss travel plans & various boat topics & of course enjoy the fresh baked pastries.

Delaware City is a very small community so you can count on this stop being slow paced & relaxing.

Delaware City Hotel At Marina Canal Entrance

Largest Restaurant In Town

Downtown Delaware City, Delaware

Future Plans: Yesterday the plan was to leave on Saturday, today it looks like either tomorrow (Friday) or Sunday. We are all ready to get going but have to remain focused on leaving in good weather day. 

6/6/14: This morning we left Baltimore, Maryland heading to Delaware City, Delaware.  The NOAA forecast of 5 knot winds & 1’ waves was wrong. At least NOAA is consistently wrong. LOL. We clocked the wind at 18 knots and the waves were at least 3 footers. So half our day was in those conditions and then when we got into the C&D Canal the wind was 5 knots and no waves.

We arrived at the Delaware City Marina around 14:30. We had heard that the dock crew was top notch professionals and we found this to be true. First off you come down this canal to the marina and they tie your boat up (side tie floating docks) starboard. Then the dock crew turns your boat around (using dock lines) so you are facing outward for an easy exit. It was a really cool thing to see.

Every day at 17:15 hrs the staff at the marina has a weather briefing meeting. Not only did we find out about weather but it was educational as well. We just love this place.

Our original plan was to leave tomorrow, Saturday, and head to Cape Mae. However the extended forecast for travels beyond that just do not look good. So we decided to wait out the weather here at Delaware City Marina. 

Pictures to follow.

5/31/14:  We are still in Baltimore, MD. We have rented a car and are taking in all the sights. It is nice being able to jump in the car and travel beyond our normal walking distance.

The weather continues to be a factor for our fellow Loopers headed north. Hope things settle down soon.

We await our friend Steve a fellow Looper who is heading here from Florida. He is making great time and we expect him early next week. Once he is here we will continue on our Looper adventure northward.

Several of our Looper friends are ahead of us and continue to give us updates on the conditions of the bays, the New Jersey ICW, and marinas.  It’s like having a personal water concierge. We miss them and hope our wakes cross in the near future.

5/22/14:  Our plans are to stay here in Baltimore for at least another week. Take in some sights and visit some of my old friends who live in the area.  

Yesterday we attended the Great Harbour Yearly meeting. Lots of good information was exchanged and a chance to meet other Great Harbour owners. A fun time had by all.

'At Last' GH37 Arrives

On Tuesday I heard someone yelling Twelve Stones from the water & looked out to find ‘Attitude Adjusment’ (fellow Loopers) pulling into the marina next door. Of course we met for breakfast the next day. The weather looks like it will keep them here for a couple of more days.

5/17/14: Weather lifted so we headed out to Baltimore a 41NM trip. The Baltimore harbor wasn’t as busy as we had expected making navigation a breeze.

Baltimore Harbor

Baltimore Skyline 

Chesapeake Bay Bridge

We docked at Anchorage Marina behind Lo Que Se A (GH37) & Pipe Dream (GH47). They were the first to arrive for the Great Harbour Yearly meeting. 

5/14/14: Weather, weather, weather. It seems like the entire country is experiencing bad weather so we aren’t alone.  The weather for the next couple of day is expected to kick up on the bay; wind gust 30 knots, thunderstorms & heavy rain. With that kind of news we decided to tuck into a Shipwright Harbor Marina off Herring Bay, Maryland.

As with lots of marinas on the Chesapeake Bay the sailboats out numbered the power boats. There is a good restaurant within walking distance and a West Marina.

Bridge View Deale, Maryland

Shipwright Harbor Marina

Deale, Maryland

Walking Distance to West Marine - Deale, Maryland

5/13/14: Solomons Island: As we were approaching the dock we were greeted by fellow Loopers out in their dinghies. Tom & Jan- ‘Navigator, Larry & Jan – ‘Panacea’, & Ross & Barb- ‘Attitude Changer”.  

After docking we enjoyed a delicious meal with everyone at a nearby seafood restaurant.  This Looping thing is awesome.

5/13/14:  We left Deltaville, Va. this morning continuing north on the Chesapeake Bay. The weather is perfect resulting in good visibility and calm water. Our next stop is Solomons Island, Maryland on the Patuxent River about 55NM north of Deltaville.

5/9/14: We closed the books on the AGLCA 2014 Spring Rendezvous & left Norfolk, VA 

harbor. We had a GREAT TIME getting to know other Loopers. 

Leaving Norfolk, Va we passed by the many U.S. Military ships in port. One ship was scheduled to leave later in the day and we saw her crew on deck. Once out of the harbor a warship passed right in front of us. Awesome sites to see.

In true Chesapeake Bay style we left in beautiful weather that later turned into heavy fog. Most of our trip 51NM trip north to Dozier Regatta Marina in Deltaville, Va. was foggy.

Deltaville is home to the Dozier’s Waterway Guide, the cruising source book most of us use. The Dozier Marina hosts a Looper event the weekend after the Spring Rendezvous.  We almost didn’t go but are so glad we did. The atmosphere was laid back, fun, & relaxing. The courteous cars gave us a chance to pick up groceries, go out to eat, & of course visit West Marine. What a great way to unwind after Norfolk and get ready to continue on our Loop 

adventure.

Marina Loaner Car :)