Morning Haze, Afternoon Daze

We left Baltimore early, Chip said we were probably the first boat out in the entire harbor, and made our way to the C & D canal. First considered in the 1600's, it wasn't until Ben Franklin proposed it again that the work commenced...it was completed in the 1820's and connects the Chesapeake Bay to the Delaware Bay. We bid farewell to the Chesapeake...a magnificent cruising day; the water was a light chop, the sun was shining. We could have spent the entire Summer exploring this beautiful estuary...we've decided we will come back again someday to linger for awhile.

A little more than half-way (the C & D canal is 14 miles long) and we stayed overnight at the Summit Marina in Bear, Delaware...the only place on this stretch where you can get fuel. Another early start, we watched the sun come up, bound for Cape May, New Jersey! The morning haze was mystical, no other boats were in the channel and we felt blessed to be alone sharing this time with the early birds. About 2 hours into the cruise down the Delaware I took quite a spill, straight down the stairs from the flybridge...I think I hit every step...afternoon daze! Once docked at our destination, the fellow who runs the marina drove me to the nearby emergency room for X-rays...luckily nothing is broken! I'm black and blue from head to toe...the bruised ribs hurt the most. I told Chip, Ithaka now officially has two dinghies! :-)