SOGGY !!!

Rain, rain go away.....this chilren's nursery rhyme has become the mantra on Persephone !  We left Annapolis on Thursday which was a blustery, driving rain kind of day.  You can tell the type of day it was when the marine radio was dead quite and there was not another pleasure boat to be seen.  But, yes THE CREW was out in the elements:

My favorite part was the sleet pellets bounching off our foul weather gear !!  NOT what we saw in all the sailing magazines
touting the cruising lifestyle...beaches, bars, bikinis...???



We arrived at dark (again...that is all we have been doing since arriving in the Bay) in Solomons Island.  Solomons is a town built around boating.  It has been raining and blowing since we arrived.  Our plan was just to stop over one night and continue down the Bay.  However, weather conditions have been awful:  highs in the fortys, blowing like heck (we are under a gale warning again today for 40 knt winds (48 mph)) and constant hard rain.  We have made the best of it by catching up on our provisioning, including several trips to CVS.  In order to leave the boat, we have to get in full foul weather gear as pictured above, bail out the dinghy, motor to town and then walk to the stores, wrap all in plastic and return to the boat all while it is driving rain.  We are not complaining, but this life style is so different from when we were "dirt-dwellers".     In Connecticut, it would be strange to see people walking around a store in full rain gear, but here all the cruisers are dressed the same and no one bats an eye. 

We have been very fortunate to meet up with a cruising couple, Jane and Peter on "Kinvara".  We met them in Annapolis and  hooked up with them in the Solomons.  Jane invited us for dinner on Thursday nite, but we had to take a "rain check" (literally) because we were half-drowned by the time we got the anchor down.  On Friday nite, Jane prepared chicken parm on Kinvara.....it was a hot, delicious feast on a cold wet night.  The dinghy ride back to Persephone in soaked  foulies was a special treat !!  (Our rain gear has become saturated due to constant use)  Peter and I walked to the West Marine Store yesterday, and Trudie hung with Jane while doing laundry.  Hanging with another couple has been  the antidote to cabin fever. 

Last nite, Trudie roasted a chicken on P-Girl, with all the trimmings including fresh, homemade cranberry sauce.  I was forced to listen to the Yankees while Trudie cheered or booed at each play !!! The game was tied and still going after midnite !!  Ultimately, the Yanks won and all was in order aboard. 

We hope to be under way tomorrow (Monday) morning heading south for the Reedville, VA area.  Yes, you read right... VIRGINIA !!!  Reedville is appx 50 miles south of where we are.  We will keep you updated on the ham radio tracking site. 

Hoping for a break in the weather.......we NEED to dry out......  THE CREW