Morning comes with a fine breakfast of eggs and toast courtesy Michael and Sheila. They are soon off to run some important errands, and I am more than happy to clean up the galley as they leave. It is the least I could do for all their hospitality.
Cast off 9:30. Sails up with a double reefed main at 9:45. Chilly with a brisk northwest wind.
9:55 on the Tred Avon River, making 4.3.
I get a text from Caden with a video of SPARTINA on the river, he must have spotted us from somewhere on the Oxford waterfront. I thank him. Shake out the second reef.
11:00 passing Benoni Point. I look at the little marsh at the point and think about the shelter it gave me just a few days earlier in the vicious wind and waves.
The wind is good and strong, sailing close hauled and I begin tacking towards Nelson Point at the mouth of Broad Creek.
With wind over the starboard bow I am surprised by a splash of water coming from the port sides. I glance left to see it came from a small school of dolphin swimming alongside SPARTINA.
12:00 I can pick out the channel markers for Knapp Narrows. It has been nearly three weeks since I passed the the narrows at the start of the cruise, somehow it seems much longer than that.
12:50 calmer water near Tilghman Island. Making 4.1 to the entrance channel. 1:10 sails down and under power. I call the bridge tender and get a lift without even having to slow down. 1:25 docked at Knapp's Narrows Marina and Inn. Splurge a big and get a room for the night.
14.27 NM
So it is the usual, as with any stay on the waterfront. Clean up, shower and shave. Catch up on the log. Charge batteries.
Also time to pack some breakfast and lunches for the coming days.
Day twenty comes with strong north winds and I don't feel like beating into the waves all day. I give up my room but keep the slip, I'll sleep on SPARTINA and be ready to go the next morning.
I get a message from Michael and Sheila, I had left a small mesh bag on their boat. I tell them if they can use it, keep it. If not, then just toss it. They respond there will be no tossing of anything and suggest they bring it to me at Tilghman Island.
They claim they have always wanted to visit the island, and bringing me the little bag is no problem. So they make the drive and arrive just in time for a lunch of sandwiches at Tilghman Island Country Store. And then we take a tour of the island, from Black Walnut Point to Dogwood Harbor with the fleet of deadrises and skipjacks. It is good to see Michael and Sheila again.
Evening, a sandwich and a beer from the country store on the patio of the now closed Marker 5. A good forecast for tomorrow.
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