Old Point Comfort to Smith Creek (St.Inigoes)

The sun finally came out and the winds died to less than 5 knots.  We were up for an early 0700 departure and long run up the Chesapeake to the mouth of the Potomac.  We were tired of the rain and cold. We were anxious to get to Herrington Harbour so we could relax for a while and get our boats prepared for the next leg of our journey.

We found the Bay to be settling when we rounded Old Point Comfort.  Waves were 2 feet and receding.  The wind was from the north. So, no sailing today.  Our goal was to travel as many miles as possible and get into a secure anchorage since another severe storm was forecast for the evening. We entered the Potomac shortly before dark and ducked into Smith Creek which was the nearest anchorage at the mouth of the Potomoc River on the northern shore.  We had anchored here in the fall and it would provide the protection we would need from the very strong winds forecast for the next couple of days.

Wolf Trap Light

There was already one boat in the anchorage when we arrived. Foreign Affair went in first to sound out the cove and dropped anchor.  Enough waited in Smith Creek's main channel before entering the cove until Foreign Affair was in position.  Upon entering the cove, Enough ran aground despite a warning that the cove is very shallow near the shore.  Enough could not get off the mud without assistance. Foreign Affair weighed anchor and very cautiously approached Enough to give her a tow. A tow line was finally secured and it looked as if our first attempt to tow Enough off the bar was successful. It was not.  Once again, Foreign Affair nosed in close to Enough to get a line secured and she came free on the second tow.  Shortly thereafter, both boats were at anchor and it was dark.

We covered 75 miles in 13 1/2 hours.  This was the greatest distance we traveled in a day other than when we brought the boat down to the Bay from Stamford, CT.