Delaware City Delaware

Our stop at Summit North Marina was a great! We slept hard in the serene valley air and took our time leaving in the morning. Around 10:00 am we headed back out into the C&D Canal. At first, it was quiet on the water, then we passed a tug and several small boats that were loaded with Sunday morning cruisers. The Michael N. Castle bike path runs along the length of the C&D. Bikers passed us by as we passed the runners and walkers. Many glanced our way raising their hand in greeting. We had a reservation at Delaware City Marina, only eleven miles away. It would be an "easy" day for us.

Leaving North Summit Marina

Tug passing Mystic on the C&D Canal

Michael N. Castle Trail

Leaving the C&D Canal in our wake

Entering Delaware River

Fort Delaware State Park across from Delaware City

When Dave reserved our marina slip he was directed to call the Dock Master back once we'd gone under the last high bridge on the canal to let him know we were getting close. Then he was told to call back again once we made it to the green marker at the entrance to the canal leading to Delaware City Marina. We heard that the entry was tricky with a fast current and a narrow ditch. We'd also heard that the Dock Master, Tim, could be authoritative and difficult to work with. I have to admit that I was anxious about how this would go. It turned out Tim was great! With his explicit directions, we made it in easily. We passed a free dock on our way up the river but were glad we chose to stay at the marina for access to showers and electricity. Later, we would learn that the free docks were too shallow for Mystic. 

View of the mud flats at the free dock

We needed fuel so Tim gave Dave instructions on how to get to the fuel dock. He was to make a hard left as we left the C&D Canal and head north on the shipping channel. Luckily there was no commercial traffic in our way. Delaware City Marina is along a smaller canal that was once part of the C&D. At the entrance to the canal, we are told to go no more than 40 feet off of the green marker. Once we cleared the green, we aimed for the first working boat at the docks; then we placed the center of Mystic 40 feet off of the port bank. Tim firmly cautions us to resist the urge to go to the dock side where there are boats. The deep water was on the bank side and Mystic needs deep water to stay afloat.

Following Tim's directions, we made our way in and slipped into the fuel dock, then tied off facing up the canal toward a low bridge. After fueling Tim showed us where we would be tying off, closer to the bridge. The current was really strong. Tim told Dave he must back out into the current in order to move forward. Mystic doesn't back up well under any circumstances; instead she pulls to either side but usually to port. Dave does as he's told and the current swept us sideways as Mystic spun in a half circle. Now we were facing the opposite direction on the canal. Dave slid into forward and completed a u-turn, (Mystic can turn on a dime going in forward motion), so we were once again pointing toward the bridge. We coasted as the current pushed us further up the creek. Tim suggested Dave pull the same maneuver he'd done at the fuel dock in order to face us out for an easy departure in the morning. As Dave put Mystic in reverse, our stern swung away from the dock and our nose pointed toward it. Once again, the current swept us around and Dave steered over to where we would tie off. It was almost like he'd done this a million times before. Tim complimented him on his understanding and control of our boat. All those miles and experiences have paid off. He knows her well.

Mystic at Delaware City Marina

Delaware City Canal view from low bridge

Mystic at Delaware City Marina

Once we were settled and our dockage was paid, we took off to explore Delaware City. The downtown was quaint and quiet; a good representation of small town America. We met folks who rode their bikes into town using the C&D trail, stopped for lunch then rode back. It's something we would do if we lived here. The marina property was landscaped with fun garden art. The facility is clean, comfortable and secure. The canal has a good five foot tide that causes the dock ramps to go from flat to steep at low tide. It's a lovely town with a lot of history pertaining to the C&D Canal, the Fort and Delaware.

Delaware City Marina view from the docks

Delaware City Marina Office

This little piggy...

Fish in the garden

Garden art

Fish on a string

Central Hotel and colorful row houses in Delaware City

Historic Central Hotel

Cool Bike Rack

22-foot wide lock dating from around 1854

22-foot wide lock dating from around 1854

Delaware City Hotel, home of Crabby Dick's

Delaware City Hotel

Delaware City Hotel

Cool Delaware City Building from 1840

1840 building in Delaware City

Downtown Row Houses

Store front in Delaware City

Delaware City Casino

Forged Creations - Blacksmith Shop

Forged Creations - Blacksmith Shop

Blacksmith Shop

Five foot high tide marks at Delaware City Marina

Steep floating dock from five foot tide

The marina gave us each a coupon for free crab balls at Crabby Dick's. We decided to check out this iconic restaurant. We ordered crab deviled eggs and cold local microbrew to go with our complimentary appetizer. We enjoyed these delicious treats and chatted with the bartenders while live music filled the venue. Delaware City has several excellent options for enjoying the local fare. We weren't sure if we wanted to go to Crabby Dick's because it appeared to be more of a tourist spot; we tend to seek out the places where the locals go. It turns out that Crabby Dick's is a favorite of both! We were glad we went and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Delaware City is a great spot to hang out and explore.

Crabby Dick's

Free pair of balls at Crabby Dick's

Crabby Dick's cold brew

Clever names for the food at Crabby Dick's

Katelyn Christine Live Music

When we got back to the Marina we met the family docked in front of us on their powerboat named Unplugged. They invited us on board for a Cape May Microbrew. Jen, Todd and their daughter Amber are at Delaware City Marina on a boating vacation. We were chatting on deck when two power boats passed by. Suddenly Jen said, "They just hit your boat. Go, QUICK, check for damage!"

Dave and I turned and watched as Mystic was forced away from the dock, straining against her lines. We ran toward her as the two captains tried to gain control over their vessels. It appeared that the current grabbed them as they came off the dock. They were concerned and idled close by to check for damage. With a racing heart, we hung over the stern and port side of Mystic, straining our neck to see where she was hit but we didn't see anything. Mystic has a metal rub rail around her hull. Dave was pretty sure they hit the metal instead of the hull. He was also pretty sure their boat got the worst of the collision and probably had at least a good scratch. We were thankful that Mystic suffered no damage. 

Relieved, we went back to Unplugged to finish our beer. Jen and Todd invited us below in the air conditioning. Amber brought out their beautiful rescue parrot, Nori, to meet us. Jen decided to make chocolate martinis, so I ran back to Mystic to get cream cheese, sweet pepper jelly and crackers. We had a great time getting to know them and sharing boating stories. We headed back to get some rest before our run down Delaware Bay to Cape May, New Jersey. We're excited to be making progress toward wrapping up our 2019 cruising season!

Unplugged mascot Nori