PANIC, DREAD, FEAR AND EXHAUSTION
May 21-24, 2026
On the morning of May 21 I was congratulating myself on all of the amazing planning I had been doing-reserving marinas and talking with family and friends about visiting with them. I had a good 7-10 days planned out with seeing our nephew Matt in Annapolis, friends in Havre de Grace and Cape May. Well, all that organization went out the window when we headed up the Chesapeake Bay from Solomons Island. It started out as a nice day, maybe a bit overcast, though the forecast didn’t say there were storms in the area. Well, about an hour into the voyage, the waves subtly started to rise and become more abrupt. Not quite slamming the boat, but definitely causing havoc. Howie was having to put tape on all of the drawers and cabinets in the pantry and they were opening and closing each time we hit a new wave. Again, it was subtle, but over the next half-hour, we were hitting 4-5 foot waves.
I became very panicked and started calling marinas to see if they could get us in. After three phone calls, we finally had a marina say they could take us. Weirdly, there was another power catamaran that was out in the storm with us and was heading to the same marina. There were just ahead of us and once in the marina channel slowed down and finally stopped. He radioed us, “Bella Nova, I am stuck.” The water was so low, he had run around. Well, plan B. One of the marinas I spoke to said that even though he couldn’t get us in, there was an anchorage near his marina that would offer protection. We continued to head up the Chesapeake Bay coast battling the waves. We reached the opening to the Potomac River and headed up toward Coan River. After another 45 minutes of a harrowing ordeal, the waves became more manageable. We made our way into the Coan River and as I was trying to find a good anchor spot, saw there was another marina close by. I called Coan River Marina and miracle of miracles, they had dock space for us with power!! It was truly unbelievable. We had to make our way around a lot of crab pots and low water areas, but finally made it to a safe space. I was incredibly thankful that we made it through that nightmare. One thing we learned is the refrigerator doors do open when the boat is getting slammed with high waves. A gallon of iced tea exploded on the floor with the pitcher breaking in two. There were broken jars and food all over the kitchen floor and down the stairs. So, after that major cleanup, guess what we did?!? Yes, had a cocktail.
Caught up on paperwork while at Coan’s river marina. Bella and I had several lovely walks in the area. It reminded me of Beavertail, MI with the beautiful pines and the whispering sounds they make in the wind.