On the water, Baltimore to Cambridge

Mid-shore Electronics called us Monday morning to say they had a space. Reservations require both their time AND a place on their docks. Russ told them we'd be there Tuesday. Since this was our first voyage since May -- and Russ had made some major changes to the power -- we thought it best to do the run in 2 days instead of one long one. So, we left Baltimore around 2:30 pm Monday, just after an Instacart order came.

Under cloudy skies but very calm waters we ran just over 4 hours to get to an anchorage off of Kent Point. We had to get used to the sound of hull slap, not having heard it in months. I slept fine. Russ needed to use earplugs.

This morning, the weather predicted winds getting stronger as the day went on. We only had 3 hours to go but didn't want to dally. We got up at 5 am, had some coffee, then got underway immediately in the dark.

Gray travels, but flat water. We'll take it.

Once sunrise occurred (still quite overcast) Russ decided we should take the time to fuel up. After rounding the corner of Poplar island we entered the Knapps Narrows channel. Off the narrows is Fairbanks Tackle that sells the cheapest diesel. It's a self serve pump, and there is no "pier" to speak of. We sterned in and tied along a piling, then threw a couple lines off the stern to catch shorter pilings on the dock. It wasn't a "med-moor" thing but pretty close. To pump fuel Russ had to drop the dinghy so he could walk across it to get to the fuel pumps. Not the easiest fuel up, but we got it done.

Russ has to walk
across the dinghy
to get to the fuel pumps.

We've never done the Knapps Narrows channel before. There is quite a bit of shoaling at either end. There is definitely a current it in. But it turned out to be dandy.

We arrived in Cambridge around noon. We checked in with Mid-shore. They were working on other things and couldn't get to us until morning. Fine by us. We took naps.

From Kent, through Knapps, to Cambridge

I tried to take a pic of the water in the dark, cut all you can
see are the reflections of the cabin lights.
Trust me. It was BLACK out.

Back in Baltimore

Each battery has an off switch now

We've been in Baltimore a couple of weeks. Mostly we wanted to get the boat winterized, but we gave ourselves enough time to do a little cruising in Sept and Oct.

Our first stop will be Cambridge at Midshore Electronics. After years of modifying various electric devices and systems the control panels -- in the hall and at the helm -- are pretty pieced together. We have black tape in places to cover some holes, others that remain gaping, and some things we'd like to rearrange or eliminate. Of all the things Russ has done to inQuest this is one we'd like professionals to tackle.

Wooo! Pomegranate season!

Over the past 2 weeks Russ has rewired our battery system, putting large breakers at each battery. I've done a bit of sewing. Both of us have enjoyed Baltimore, which we do really like.

Our plans are vague. We did get to eat out with Rudy and Jill Sechez, the couple who taught us how to anchor. We hope to get together with the crew of Apres Sails, Michael and Kathleen, in a couple of weeks. We also have eye doctor appointments that were made over a year ago. No real agenda or destination this time. Just... puttering.

Then we travel back to SF Oct 30. 

My sewing setup