Delaware (in a day)

Delaware City – The smoke in the air has finally lifted which makes traveling so much more enjoyable. We traversed the C & D canal with 2-3 knots in our favor. (helps with the overall fuel consumption. The C&D canal is 14 miles long and connects the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay. This canal was finished in 1829 to shorten shipping distances between Philadelphia and Baltimore by 300 miles.

**View from the end of the canal near the Delaware River**

We arrived in good time and tied up at the Delaware City Marina. As you can see by the picture, the marina is located on the Delaware City Branch Channel. The current is very strong so making sure you are securely tied up is important. We enjoyed a walk down the red brick sidewalk into the small commercial area. Window shopping was good so I got my steps in. We also walked around what was left of a lock used when the canal first opened.

**All the small east coast towns have brick sidewalks**

The canal was originally dug by hand, and for locks were created to allow for travel up and over the land. Later the when machinery was available the canal was dredged deep enough that the entire length could be navigated at sea level.

This “bell” was built to allow maintenance of the canal and locks. It was lowered into the water so men could stand underneath and work on the bottom of the canal and gates while breathing the air in the “bell”

At 4pm, Tim, the owner of the marina, gave his talk/take on the weather for crossing the Delaware Bay the next morning. All the loopers were planning to leave early the next day and the crossing was just that…very favorable current and winds. It took us about 6 hours, but we all arrived in due course. We are now in Cape May, NJ.