Day 5 - Solomons Island

We woke to an overcast sky. It wasn't threatening, but the sky remained overcast all day. We need to depart early since we had 45 miles to go today. Early is a relative term. I still had time to take some photos.

This fisherman was returning from setting his crab pots. I'm not sure what time he left, but it was around 7 am when I took this.

Tangier work boat returning early in the morning

After breakfast, I noticed this fisherman was preparing his boat. There were actually two guys working. They have a lot of crab pots to set. Just look at their dock.

This fisherman was preparing his boat for the days work.

Many channel markers form the foundation for Osprey nests. This one marks the entrance to Tangier island. You can see the mother Osprey watching as we went by. It gets shallow quick outside the channel, so I was focused on steering. Matt said he heard the chicks chirping in the nests.

An Osprey keeping an eye on the chicks

Even with the overcast sky we had a little breeze and were able to motorsail for a couple of hours. After that, the wind died completely and we just motored on. I would have bought a trawler if I just wanted to motor. Where is the wind!?

Linda was relaxing with her book in the cockpit. I thought it was a cool picture with the Smith Point Lighthouse approaching.

Linda relaxing as we approach Smith Point Lighthouse

All week the weather was very calm. So, we tried to get as close to the lighthouses as possible for these photo opportunities. Their purpose is to mark dangerous shoals and rocks. Matt and I usually took turns; I would steer while he took photos and then we would switch for me to take photos with the longer lens. In this way, one of us was always fully engaged in safely navigating.

Here's a closer look at Smith Point Lighthouse.

Smith Point Lighthouse

We had just pass Point Nonamed Point, and then to the delight of all onboard... Dolphins! I never knew dolphins were in the Chesapeake. We counted six dolphins in this pod. I've seen them in the rivers around Charleston, SC... but that was just a few miles from the ocean. These were about 60 miles north of the entrance to the Chesapeake.

Dolphins!

Entering Solomons Island, we noticed this house. At first we were impressed at the size of the house on the water. Then, as we came closer, we noticed many windows were boarded up; others had the plywood just hanging there. 

This derelict was probably a very nice house not too long ago.

In contrast to the previous house, I thought this was a yacht club. Matt pointed out the swing set and toys in the yard. Not bad... they have their own private beach. 

Nice house on the water!

We followed the channel to the end. Tonight, we stayed at the Holiday Inn. I heard rumors of a private marina that works with the Holiday Inn. We were not able to contact anyone as we arrived. So, I pulled into the only empty slip. Actually, I backed into the slip. It was a typical Chesapeake slip with pilings. Being at the end of the channel... as in dead end... it was very calm.  We didn't have any trouble. We found the boat backs straight as an arrow.

I went to the desk at the Holiday Inn to inquire about the slip. The girl at the desk told me I would have to talk with the Dock Master. He arrives around 7 am. Then she gave me a key to the showers and gym. So... Rumors confirmed.

Sorry, I can't believe I didn't take any pictures. Obviously, I was getting a little tired from having to move the boat each day.