Crew Log for October 19th – 20th, 2022
Trip Summary:
Turner Creek to Worton Creek
Trip Distance of 17.6 NM, Total Distance To-Date of 1,367.1 NM
Departed at 07h30 hours and arrived at 11h40 hours
We woke to 5 degree temperatures. However, the forecast was for clear skies and sun.
Most people who have ever been to the Bras d’Or Lake, would agree that it is one the best places to cruise, with an abundance of hidden coves and secluded anchorages. However, a common misconception is that, given its “Lake” label, that the sailing conditions are relatively calm compared to coastal or off shore sailing. Like the Bras d’Or Lake, the conditions on the Chesapeake can be challenging and at times, downright inhospitable. We weren’t naïve to the probability of rough conditions, but we certainly have a better appreciation of how difficult things can get on the Chesapeake after today’s sail.
We made our way out of Turner Creek into the Sassafras River and raised a reefed main and full jib. We had a wonderful sail out of the River and into the main part of the Chesapeake. As we rounded the headland, conditions changed dramatically and we were once again pounding into ramp-like waves. Our original plan was to go to Swan Creek, some 30 miles to the south but after several hours of relentless beating to weather in 15 – 20 knot winds, we aborted our plan and made our way in Worton Creek.
We doused the sails at the entrance to the creek and wound our way in to a very protected harbor. It was like a switch was turned off and we were once again in quiet, calm conditions. There were a couple of marinas, but we decided to anchor. After cleaning up the boat from the 4 hour thrashing we put her through, I immediately fell asleep in the cockpit, warmed by the sun.
Later in the afternoon, 2 other Canadian boats came into the anchorage. They had come from further up the Sassafras River and, like us, decided to shelter in Worton Creek. I will admit, I have developed a bit of interest in “smaller” boats, since we are generally in the shadows of 50 foot sailboats or huge catamarans. So, we jumped in the dinghy and went over to say “hello” to the crew on sv Teliki, an Aloha 32, sailing out of the Belleville area on Lake Ontario.
We had a great chat with Chris and Lenore, who recently retired, sold their home, and had loosely defined plans for the foreseeable future, going where ever the wind took them. They were buddy boating (for over 20 years) with Rod and Ondine on sv Onalee, a Douglas 38. Rod and Ondine were from Peterborough, where we have family. Like typical Canadians, our conversation focused a lot on the weather, and in particular, how cold it had been the last few days.
We exchanged contact information and dinghied over to the Worton Creek Marina to have a look around. They weren’t terribly friendly, so we followed the signs for the Worton Creek Restaurant that was reportedly at the top of the hill. They might have had the best crab cakes in all of the Chesapeake at one time, but apparently not many people knew that, because they have been out of business for the last several years. They do however have a Facebook Page and their hours said they were open. Fake news, I guess.
We stumbled across a guy working on his Bayfield 40, Mermaid. He was originally from Poland, but now lived somewhere around Worton Creek. It turns out, he was married to a woman from Medford, Nova Scotia. They sailed to the Caribbean on Mermaid and she hasn’t spoken to him since. She is back in Medford and he is prepping the boat to launch in December to head back to the Caribbean, alone this time.
The forecast for the next day was more of the same, so we decided to stay in Worton Creek. Teliki and Onalee decided to head for Swan Creek.
We dinghied around the shore and spotted several bald eagles. We headed over to a sand beach we had passed the day before on the way in, but it unfortunately was posted with STAY OFF signs. Judy refers to them as “US Welcome Signs”. We did find a strip of sand beach that we could walk on, before heading over to the other marina to do what sailors do, wander around the yard, looking at boats.
We met, Dick, from New Jersey who was working on his Pearson Alberg 35. He was a really friendly guy that had lots of stories. At one point I asked him what the conditions were like in Chesapeake in the summer. We had heard it was very hot with very little wind. Dick said the joke was in the summer the wind often blew “0 knots out of the south”. South being the predominant wind direction.
As we made our way past the 12 – 16 foot reed grass in front of the boat yard, it was alive with bird sounds. When we walked over to look however, we couldn’t spot a single bird. They were obviously well hidden.
The forecast was looking good for making miles south, so we planned to head to Rock Hall (Swan Creek) in the morning.
But more about that, next time.
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