|
Cat TalesMay 1997 |
Gerry Helldorfer, Looking Glass
Our favorite
destination on the Chesapeake is the Wye River. It has a beautiful shoreline,
many quiet anchorages, and a relatively sparse population of water skiers,
speed boats and jet skis. It's a pleasant sail from Annapolis, our home port,
and it's also convenient to everyone in the middle Bay. Plan to join us on
Memorial Day weekend for another visit to the Wye River.
Saturday should
find us anchored in Dividing Creek on the Wye East River. This is a fine,
well-protected spot and rated by the cruising guides as one of the best. We
should be anchored by mid-afternoon and we will monitor channel 72 on the
half-hour if you need directions. The VHF can be crowded on holidays, so you
might try us on the cell phone, if necessary (703 244-2972). Sunday the plan is
to move the raft-up to Lloyd creek for a change of scenery. We will also
organize a sail to St. Michaels for lunch or dinner and a little site-seeing.
We should be able to take everyone on one or two boats for the one-hour trip
and return later in the day or evening. If you plan to join us on Sunday, be
sure to call, as we might need to change the raft location due to weather, an
overcrowded anchorage or the desires of those who come on Saturday. Monday it's
back home for most.
Dividing Creek is located on the Wye East River
upstream from Shaw Bay, on the north side of the river. It is easy to enter but
check your cruising guide for details. We will anchor Looking Glass (Gulfstar
43 ketch) about halfway up the creek. Lloyd Creek is on the south side of the
Wye East River, just upstream from Shaw Bay.
Jeanne and I hope to see
you there.
There are a variety of approaches to studying for a Maryland Safe
Boating Certificate, which is recommended for all Maryland boaters but required
for those born after July 1, 1972. In addition to the Maryland Department of
Natural Resources' own 8-hour course (offered through most state community
colleges), the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the US Power Squadron also offer
approved courses of varying lengths. But if these don't fit your schedule, now
you can take the course at your convenience, and in your home.
For $20
(which is refundable), you can get a CD-ROM version of the DNR's Safe Boating
Course. Just send your check to the National Public Service Research Institute,
8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 220, Landover, MD, 20785, Attention: Doreen Branch.
For more information on the CD-ROM course, call Ms Branch at NPSRI,
301-731-9891 ext 115. For information on the conventional safe boating courses
offered in Maryland, call the DNR's Outdoor Education Division at
410-974-2040.