Oliver Sails South: Delaware City to Annapolis

We spent 3 days in Delaware City to rest, shop and sight see. The harbor master arranged a trip to Fort Delaware with a life long learning class from the University of Delaware for us on the 25th of September. Fort Delaware is on Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River. In 1819 a masonry fort was constructed and destroyed by fire. In 1847, Congress appropriated $1 million to construct the largest "modern" coastal defense fort in the country. They started building in 1849 and completed in 1859. During the civil war it became a prison camp. In 1862, 250 of Stonewall Jackson's troops were the first prisoners. By 1863 there were more than 10,000. There are reportedly ghosts that hang around the fort now.

Delaware City downtown

Entrance to Fort Delaware

Mess and officer's quarters

Infirmary

Cannon from roof

Same cannon from below

Interior cannon, they meant business

Yard for practice

Moat surrounding, sewage drained here, try escaping.

With the promise of a real grocery store and some weather, we spent another day in Delaware City. It was a lovely stop, but on the 27th we headed out to get to the Chesapeake Bay via the C&D canal.

Canal bridges

The first night, the 27th, we anchored on the Sassafras River. It was a nightmare getting Oliver to shore as everything was private and the locals were not very friendly. We found a sandy beach nature preserve where he communed with the wildlife. Needless to say we pulled up the anchor and took off after one night. We were looking forward to Annapolis anyway. We made it to Annapolis around 2:00 and grabbed a mooring ball. We were told we could only have it for 2 days since the big Sailboat Show was going to be set up. They told us to look for people leaving the next morning and try to grab a mooring ball in the non restricted area. We were up early just waiting to pounce and grabbed one, so we are here until tomorrow the 1st of October. Since dinghy docks close and it is madhouse here, we are not staying for the show. They do not allow dogs anyway. Annapolis itself is the coolest town and very dog friendly, except for lack of grassy areas.We all found grass a block down from the dinghy docks near a municipal building, so Oliver has many friends. Store owners put water and treats out on Main street.The ladies in the visitors center quickly got him a fresh bowl of water when we came in the first time. Luckily with the dog, I am saving tons of money not going in all the shops. We walked down Main Street and to the state capitol and today plan to see the Naval Academy. Oliver is in heaven getting attention and taking dinghy rides around. I will do a separate posting of our time here.