Dead Zone In Maryland ?? ? ? ? ? ?

SHIP'S LOG:

Thursday - Sassafras River 39'58.957N/ 076.58.653W

Pulled out of Bodkin Creek south of Baltimore for the run up the Chesapeake to the Sassafras River. It was an all day sail. Not a lot of speed but then I don't necessarily have(had) to be anywhere in particular. The again, when a butterfly passes you going in the same direction, you know that you are not breaking any speed records.

It was a wonderful day spent sailing, not listening to the motor drone and there was sufficient wind to keep the sails full. What more could I need? I did encounter a floating tank! Not a military vehicle but a pressurized tank. It wasn't a propane tank but looked more like an oxygen tank. It was just floating along and I though that it was another tree trunk or telephone pole. When I saw it was a tank I called the Coasties and they ran me through three or four different people to get the exact location and a detailed description of the "floating hazard." I didn't want this to become my life's work so I informed them of where it was and what it was and tried to leave it at that. I got four phone calls back from various organizations wanting to know all about it. I finally told them, :" Hey look, I am on this boat all by myself. I am just trying to be a good boater and warn others of the danger." They seemed offended that I couldn't be more exacting in my information. Hey, it's not my job. I did my part. Give me a break.

As I passed by the Aberdeen Proving ground, they were exploding something. Not only could you hear the explosions, you could feel the pressure waves from whatever it was that they were setting off. Whatever it was, It didn't sit well with the local bug population as my boat suddenly got overwhelmed with gnats and mosquitoes and horseflies and all sorts of biting bugs that just showed up. If they were creating a new bug repellent, it certainly repelled them from Aberdeen, but repelled them right o my boat. When they stopped exploding "whatever," the bugs disappeared.

I got into the Sassafras River and was followed by another sailboat, one from Denmark. They were disappointed that I really wasn't from Finland. The chaplain's pennant is so shortened now it really does look like the finish Flag. Only a short time left before it gets retired for good.

Here, cheek by jowl with the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Harve de Grace, Chesapeake City and not Internet access. Its like being back in North Carolina.

Friday: NOAA proclaimed with absolute certainty that it would rain all day so I hunkered down. Not a drop fell. I really have to learn not to trust NOAA so much.

Saturday: Bear, Delaware. 39'32.801N/ 075'42.237W

Tripped up from the Sassafras to the C&D Canal. I took the time to watch two tugs, Annacostia and Oyster Creek, man-handle a barge through the canal. It was really something to watch them work. They really know thier stuff.

Again, lots of wood in the water. I don't know where it is coming from but it is like some huge dock was busted apart and all the pieces set loose in the Bay. It is a good thing that I am moving slowly as hitting any of these pieces would ruin my whole day. I had to pull into Summit North Marina for fuel and decided to stay the night. The weather is supposed to crap out. It will also give me the chance to plan the assault on the Delaware Bay. Tomorrow I will either get to Cape May or half way there depending on the tide. The wind should not be too much of a factor. In the Delaware, the tide rules. If all goes well, I could be in New London next weekend!

Boat names: Sea-Clusion; Razamataz; Panic Attack; Final Option.