This is How We Roll in Annapolis

Literally.  We roll.

Don’t worry, I’ll explain. 
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Just over a week ago, we arrived in Annapolis and anchored in what is called “South Anchorage”.  It is a huge anchorage area between Spa Creek and Back Creek (very popular inlets off the Severn River that run adjacent to Annapolis City proper).  Our preference was to anchor in one of these creeks as they are “off” the Severn River so they are protected from the rolling sea state and from any boat wakes.  Unfortunately, both creeks were full so we settled for a spot in South Anchorage, where we have remained for the last 10 days.  We both love it and hate it.  We love how close we are to the Boat Show and to Annapolis City (a 2-minute dinghy ride) but, wow, we roll.  Remember about the protection from sea state and boat wakes that Spa Creek and Back Creek offer?  Yeah, we have very little protection out here in South Anchorage.  Boats fly by at close proximity and the sea state can get pretty agitated.  We are safe from dragging anchor but getting used to the boat constantly rolling, from side to side and/or bow to stern, has been something.  We constantly need to have one hand balancing ourselves to move about the boat, inside and out.  The good news in this whole thing?  We are getting a good abdominal workout without even trying!  Plus, a weird thing has happened over the last few days – We got used to the roll.  Ah, acclimatized bliss.  This must be truly a thing because all the other boats in our anchorage have also stayed put and there is easily over 75 of us here, including a 120-foot sailboat.

​Being that this is a new anchorage for us, one of the first things we did when we arrived is to get our utilities in order.  What does this mean?  Well, we are at anchor so we don’t have easy access to water tank fill ups, garbage removal, waste tank pump outs, and shore power.  Power for Wild Horses isn’t an issue because we have ample solar panels and two big lithium batteries so shore power isn’t something we need to access.  But, the rest of the list is pretty important.  Our first stop was the Annapolis Harbourmaster.  They were invaluable.  We quickly learned that we could shower in their facilities (we don’t have hot water on the boat while at anchor), plus they have a place for us to dump our garbage and to get fresh drinking water.  For waste tank pump outs, they run a mobile service.  One quick call and they come right out to your boat for the tiny fee of $5 a tank.  Nice!  They also directed us to the closest grocery and pet stores.  Extra nice!

The dinghy dock that gets us all to land. During the boat show 3 times as many dinghies were here!

Ocean waiting for her favourite pet store to open

As I mentioned, we have now been in Annapolis for over a week and the time has flown by.  In addition to exploring historic Annapolis while walking Ocean, we got to watch the dismantling of the Power Boat Show and the set up of the Sailboat Show.  This is no small thing.  The show is huge and each and every part of the show crew seems to have a specific job.  And they work with very intense efficiency.  There is no time to waste!  Watching the display sailboats arrive was also incredible.  From our own boat, we could see all the beautiful and new catamarans, monohulls, sailing dinghies and vintage boats sail into the harbour and then get placed into a slip at the Boat Show.  Incredible precision.

Victoria walking Ocean in downtown Annapolis

Empty docks after the Power Boat Show ended

Sailboats starting to get placed at the docks

A full boat show

​The other thing that happened over the past week is Canadian Thanksgiving.  How does one celebrate such a thing when you are miles from home?  You sit down to a great meal with your sailing pod of course!  The crews of Brise, Sensai and Wild Horses set off for a lovely Thanksgiving grocery shopping extravaganza and then got together on Wild Horses for the evening meal.  There was lots of laughter, wine, and some really great food from chicken pot pie all the way to a crustless pumpkin dessert.  We definitely hooked up with a sailing pod that includes some amazing chefs!

Off in the dinghies to go grocery shopping. The crews of Sensai and Brise are following behind Wild Horses.

A happy thanksgiving celebration with our peeps!

We have also had the pleasure of spending really wonderful times with some of our Gananoque friends, who are visiting or working at the Boat Show.  This has been such a joy.  Touching base with old friends over a beer or a walk (sometimes both 😉) and, hearing what is new/crazy/interesting in their worlds, has been just what the doctor ordered.  Speaking of what is new in the world – congrats to my niece Cassie and her husband Kevin on the birth of their beautiful boy Elijah just yesterday.  Welcome to the family Elijah!

Another new beginning starts tomorrow.  Wild Horses will once again weigh anchor and head further south.  We have a slip waiting for us at Herrington Harbour South where we will get some much-needed boat work done on our navigation system.  Thankfully we fixed our alternator belt problem on our own.  The culprit was a missing washer that allowed the alternator to move out of alignment.  Easy fix.  Whew.

With the weather moving closer to 0 degrees celsius overnight we are happy to be continuing our journey to warmer temperatures. 

One of our many beautiful sunsets in Annapolis