Solomon’s Island, MD

Tuesday, 23 September

Small puffy pale gray clouds hang from an azure sky as if suspended by fishing line like baubles from the ceiling of the baby’s room.  From 12-mile fetch down the Choptank River, the high ground of the western shore appears suspended slightly above surface of the Bay.  It’s the first day of fall and Steadfast skips over the foot-tall crests of a beam sea, sails reefed in respect for the 12-15 knots from the north.

Four times in the last week or so Steadfast has crossed the Bay, from Eastern Shore to Western and back and back and again, without making a lot of southing.  That’ll change today, along with the wind, as she rides the 33 NM down the Choptank, across the Bay once more to Cove Point, up the Patuxent River and into Solomon’s Island, MD.

The 1828 brick tower at Cove Point is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in Maryland.

The Genny unfurls fully as the wind lays down a bit.  Then, what’s left of the norther is dead aft, kicking up a 2-to-3-foot chop that knocks the wind out of the sails enough times to prompt Red to get back to work.  She does, providing the push needed to get Steadfast past the Calvert Cliffs and round Drum Point at 1415.

Dozens of homes perch precariously at the edge of the Cliffs of Calvert.

As many times as Solomon’s has been an overnight, there’s never been a more relaxing night.  At the suggestion of ActiveCaptain, the on-line cruising resource, Steadfast motored past Molly’s Leg, up Back Creek and past the usual anchorage off Zahniser’s Marina; past the cove opposite Spring Cove Marina; beyond Solomon’s Harbor Marina and the Holiday Inn, to a spot with a tree-lined shore on three sides and nine feet of water below.  A big trawler was up ahead when a Beneteau 42 passed and dropped the hook just off the bow.  But no matter; there’s plenty of room, the anchor down at 1500.  And even with the wind gearing up to be honkin’ all night, this proves to be a remarkably quiet anchorage.

It’s a good thing Solomon’s is a favorite port o’ call.  Wednesday’s weather is more than wanted for a comfortable sail, Thursday’s worse and Friday doesn’t look encouraging either.  This could be “home” for a few days.

Steadfast out.