9/21/14 - 9/23/14, Sassafras River, Things Fixed, Kind People

9/21/14

Returning to the boat after our wonderful family reunion in the Elk River, we immediately loaded in the next chart chip that contained points south of NYC, including the Chesapeake. We were back on the map! Hurray!!

We proceed south and started up the Sassafras River, on the east side of the Elk River. Not far from the mouth of the river, on the south side, before the first bend, we found what looked to be a nice, calm anchorage and set the hook. Our only concern was that there might be mosquitos in the nearby swamp. We made dinner and got ready for bed, but then the wind started howling and the boat was rocking and rolling. I went outside to look. The sky was strikingly clear with bright, distinct stars. But the rocking and rolling continued, caused by a mix of the fierce wind and strong waves from the wakes of large boats traversing the Elk River. In the morning we’d move up the river for more protection.

9/22/14

Looking at our chart for another anchorage, we first tried “Back Creek” but it was too shallow and too windy. We continued upriver to an area just east of a cupola, on the north side of the river, just west of a marina, in Georgetown. 

Summer Wind at anchor near the cupola, Sassafras River

Skipjack Marina Resort

The weather was much nicer here, sunny and clear. The wind and waves calmed, and it felt warmer. We did boat chores, and swam in the water, which was comfortably warm. And it was fresh water, not salty, since the river is fed from inland fresh water. Our boat had only been in salt water until this day.

Chuck fixed my favorite little spatula, by adding a nut and bolt, where the two pieces used to fall frustratingly apart.

 Repaired spatula

Repaired spatula

Great News!! I received an email from the XL America Scholarship chairperson. My son, David, who is studying to be an actuary at CUNY, and is working very hard at his studies and doing very well, received the first place scholarship for this year. I’m so glad he was willing to take a few hours out of his vacation in Arizona this summer to fill out the application, write an essay, and get transcripts and recommendation letters.

I was also very happy to receive an email from one of my favorite office friends.

9/23/14

We went for a dingy ride to explore the area of Georgetown, MD, and to try to find a post office so we could mail back our original outdated chart chip. We dinghied up the river, past boats in covered slips (I had never seen this before, it must get very hot here in the summer) and through a low bridge.

Covered slips

We talked to an old live-aboard with a boat from 1947. He directed us to the P.O., where I mailed my package, and ended up chatting with Beth, who worked in the Post Office, about the economy and everything and anything. She mentioned her son who is a welder (Hey, WE NEED A WELDER!!), and we exchanged contact info.

We had lunch at the local restaurant, and bought a replacement flyswatter (much nicer than the old one!) in the marine store next door.

We went back to the boat and met our new neighbors on “Tarantella”, Jim and Jody, who, like us, are headed for the SSCA GAM. They had some great stories!

Later that afternoon, Beth's son, Allan, the welder contacted us. Yes, he could fix our anchor and yes, he could do it today. We put it in the dingy and met him at the post office. A few hours later, just before dark, we picked it up.

Allan, the welder

The ride back, in the dingy, with the repaired anchor

It looks fantastic. Allan, who is 23, loves his work and it looks to us like he did a great job. He said he really wanted to help us because we are away from home.

We feel very fortunate to know that there are such kind people in this world.

View of our anchorage, at sunset, from Skipjack Marina Resort

Sandy & Chuck

on s/v Summer Wind