October 8, 2008.

On Monday night we had anchored among more than 20 other boats in Solomons, MD. When we got up Tuesday morning there were only 3 of us left. Was it something we said? The wind was supposed to crank from the north again so I guess if they were going south they all picked a great day for it. If they were going north, well, then God help them.

We did end up spending Tuesday doing some boat chores and running around town. After our chores were done we took a quick dinghy tour of the river to see who’s here and to check diesel prices as we need to top off before we leave in the morning. We did find a pretty cool statue commemorating sailors lost at sea, actually I’m just making that part up. We didn’t get close enough to actually read the inscription. It might have been erected to celebrate sailors who enjoy bird watching for all we know. That pretty much killed the day and it was early to bed for us.

On Wednesday we raised the anchor and headed over to the fuel dock. They didn’t open until 0800 so we arrived a half hour early so we could top off the water tank, pump out the holding tank and rinse the salt from Mondays beating off.

We left Solomon’s Island and slowly motored out to the Chesapeake Bay. Today’s forecast was for 5 to 10 knots out of the south with small craft warnings later this evening.

We were making such good time that we were actually able to stay ahead of the ebb tide and rode the last of the flood tide all the way to Annapolis. I’m thinking the small craft winds got here a little earlier than expected because at times we were hitting 9 knots as we surfed northward. The boats headed south looked a lot like we probably did the other day; they were getting pounded.

The reason we’re headed north is to attend the Annapolis sailboat show. Then again so are about 1000 other sailboats. Some people have been here for weeks to get a protected spot to anchor. Last year we got here about a week before the show and other boats practically anchored on top of us anyway. So this year I decided I’m gonna be that guy; Late Arriving Anchor Like I Didn’t See You Guy.

There are a few choice anchorages in Annapolis. Spa Creek is the preferred spot but it gets so tightly packed that you can practically walk from boat to boat. Back Creek is another prime spot, albeit a little farther from the show but it gets just as busy. South River has some options but anchoring there leaves you with a 2 mile walk and leaving the dinghy unattended for the day is a little sketchy. Weems Creek is a great spot, there’s probably room but the place to leave the dink for the day is a little shady.

That pretty much left us with anchoring off the Naval Academy. It’s actually the closest spot to the show, but the protection stinks. Last year we got our asses beaten for several days before the show even began, but that’s where we headed. We pulled in to an anchorage with more than 40 boats at anchor, bouncing around in the small craft winds. I figured we’d head all the way in nearest the show and start to poke around for a hole big enough for Veranda to fit in. We picked our way through the crowded anchorage and lo and behold when we got all the way to the nearest corner to the show there was a spot we could almost fit into; so we did. Actually the only guy we might be making uncomfortable is a French Canadian boat. The French stereotypically have horrible anchoring etiquette so I didn’t feel too bad about it.

While I’m on the French Canadians, could somebody please explain to me why they’re so ashamed to be Canadians? I know they’re always trying to secede from Canada, but why? I have to say, every Canadian that I’ve met has been wonderful to be around. But most of these faux French are rude, unfriendly and regularly hide behind a language barrier when ever it suits them. Unless of course they need you, then they speak prefect Kings English. Can’t they understand that the French are from France. Quebec and Montreal aren’t anywhere near France; they’re Canadians, stubborn Canadians. So says the Ugly American.

Anyway, it’s like we’re anchored in a washing machine. The wind is supposed to calm tomorrow so hopefully tomorrow night will be better, I’m already sure that tonight is gonna stink.

The harbor patrol has been enforcing anchoring regulations. There are actually designated areas that you can anchor denoted by a dotted line on your charts. As you can see in the picture, we were able to wedge ourselves firmly into the sharpest corner of the anchorage. Since we’ve been here, the harbor master has made several boats that were here before us leave because they were encroaching on the channels or too close to the academies wall. Theres a red, wedge shaped beam of light that can be seen from the anchorage. The harbor master pulls up next to your boat and if he can’t see the light then you’ve got to move. We’ve seen the light…..