15 May, 2021. Smoothest cruising day in a long time

42 SM; 6.8 hours

We slept so soundly after the long day yesterday.  Infrequent ripples gently rocked Serenity through the night.  A somewhat violent wakening with the pre-sun rise crabbers headed out at speed followed by the commercial fishing boats.  Last night anchorage.  

Local commercial fishing boat headed out

Great weather forecast for the day, nearly calm winds and clear skies.  Solomon Island here we come.  Fired up the diesel and raised the anchor at 0730, following our electronic bread crumbs in reverse.  Extremely narrow and shallow channel.  We considered jumping direct into the Potomac river exiting from the marked inlet, but it was pretty shallow on the charts and it was low tide.  Adding an hour on our trip, we decided to retrace our inbound route from yesterday, knowing we had good water.  We continued in the opposite direction until we cleared a wide shoal created where Potomac River dumps into the Chesapeake bay.  

Starboard helm station hatch—smooth bay water

Headed toward our destination, nearly a straight line for the next several hours only interrupted by real jerk in a 60 foot yacht who pass too darn close and threw a 3 foot+ wake.  Rounding the Patuxent River Naval Air Station and proceeding into the Patuxent river we entered the Solomons Island area where we proceeded to and caught a mooring ball.  Serenity tied to the pendant at 1415.  Beautiful day, beautiful cruising weather.  We splashed Kaos, loaded our trash, and shower gear.  Short trip to the dinghy dock we proceed to the marina office and paid for two nights on the mooring ball.  $1/foot or $27/night.  Showers—yippee and free dinghy dock access.  Mooring field We took a walk into town—

 

Solomons Island

Walking along the waterfront lots of boating activity observed on the Patuxent river and folks milling all along the promenade—and masks were off for the most part.  

Middle and upper bay

We don’t drink, but in a previous life, I had spend too much time here

Returning to the marina area, we showered then took the dinghy back to Serenity.  Grilled hamburger, cottage cheese and salad.  Nice end of the day.  There is a scheduled sounding rocket launch tonight at Wallops Island which is probably 50 miles away.  Should be an easy see.  Lazy day tomorrow as we will remain, tour the Museum and look at boats, people and chill.

3667 SM traveled; 1677.8 hours Hobbs