Summit North Marina to Rock Creek - Patapsco River

It was a beautiful fall day - sunny and temperature in the 60's. We ate a leisurely breakfast before casting off bound for Rock Creek on the Patapsco River. We will anchor there for the night so we are in position to follow the schooner fleet to the starting line for the Great Chesapeake Schooner Race. The competitors will be coming out of Baltimore harbor further up the Patapsco.

Elk River Bluffs

We made good time through the C&D Canal as we were running with the current. Our top speed was 7.5 knots. We stopped for fuel and water at Schaefer's Canal House in Chesapeake City. From there, it was not long before we were on the gorgeous Elk River. The tree leaves we just starting to show signs of turning. We'll have a brilliant display when we pass this way again in two weeks heading south for the winter.

The Elk River is not as heavily populated as many rivers on the Bay. There are some stretches of the river where you see no man-made features for a few miles or a beautiful farm house and barn appears amidst green fields and the forest. The river is deep and well marked which makes for a relaxing journey. High bluffs rise from the river along much of the shore. It is one of the most beautiful rivers we have traveled.

Farm and Boat Houses on the Elk River

We arrived at the mouth of the Patapsco River about an hour before sunset. This was our first time up this river which runs through Baltimore. The Wednesday night racers were heading out of Rock Creek as we began entering the channel to this wonderful anchorage. Everyone was motoring as there was no wind. Still, it was Wednesday and a beautiful night to be on the water.

Rock Creek is well marked and the water depths gave us plenty of options for anchoring. Our biggest concern was boat traffic at night since the creek is heavily populated and docks line the entire creek. We didn't want to get hit by someone returning from the races after dark. We saw a beautiful sunset at the end of a wonderful day. We are very happy to once again be anchored on the Chesapeake Bay.