day three - up and around to the Miles River

Before dawn, rumbling diesels and flashes of light on the boom tent.  Watermen shining their spotlights on SPARTINA as they head out of Balls Creek.

Sail off anchor 6:35, northeast wind and gps shows 1.8 heading out of the creek.  Overcast.  2.7 leaving the creek.  6:50 on Broad Creek, making 4.3 now that we are out of the wind shadow.  7:05 jibe at Nelson Island Shoal, passing by a deadrise rigged for clamming.  Making 4.9 towards Tilghman Island, then less speed in the wind shadow of Nelson Point.

Out on the Choptank 7:35, making 4.2 and there is a hint of clearing skies.  7:45 approaching Tilghman Island, two deadrises working trot lines, a wave from a woman on the one called CHARLIE'S ANGEL.

8:00 sails down and in the channel at Knapp Narrows.  A call to the bridge tender and don't even have to slow down as I hear the bells ringing for a bridge lift.  Through the Narrows at 8:10, out of the channel on the western side and sails up at 8:20.  Making 4.0 into the wind.

Steady tacking north on Poplar Island Narrows at 9:10.  On a port tack at 9:50 making 4.0.  Light overcast, steady wind.  I can see one other sailboat near Bloody Point, two deadrises working clams.  Begin a series of tacks, first at 30 minutes, then at 20 and then 15 as we leave Poplar Island to the stern.  11:35 tack, 11:50 tack, 12:05 tack, making 4.5. Good tack toward Claiborne, 3.8 to 4.3.  

12:55 tack at green "1CC" marker just off Clairborne.  Can feel the tied turning against us on Eastern Bay.    2:10 round Tilghman Point.

2:15 fall off the wind on the Miles River.  Making 2.8 wing and wing.  3:20 Deepwater Point, 3.6 and an eagle perched on red marker "14".  3:20 jibe to port to enter Leeds Creek.  Plenty of wind and easy tacking up the creek.  4:30 anchor down in a little cove on the south side of the creek.

 34 NM