Galesville, MD (Annapolis) to Oriental, NC

Boat Show weekend in Annapolis was very fun!  We reconnected with our sailing friends, Jim and Cynthia on Neverland, Eric and Pat on Cutter Loose, Hayden and Radeen on Island Spirit and met new folks as well.  We shared time with our land friend Pat and checked out a lot of gear and boat stuff.  Our favorite purchase was a set of pots made of silicone with a metal base to use on the stove. These collapse to become 2 inches high, and will better fit in the cabinet.  Greg also bought a bucket that collapses.  More space saved (and very cool stuff)!  See Nautical Scout cookware!

The warm trend we had for a couple days brought a way-too-close thunderstorm, rain and cooler weather.  Monday morning dawned sunny and we cast off the dock lines in Galesville (Annapolis suburb) and headed south down the Chesapeake Bay.  The first day was a long day of motoring as there was very light wind, right on our nose.  We left early so we could reach and enjoy a favorite anchorage in Mill Creek off the Great Wicomico River.  Seventy five miles later, we dropped the hook and settled in for a nice night.

Early the next morning, we pulled the hook up again, and headed out.  Seeing 12 knots on the windometer before we were out of the harbor, we decided to raise the main in preparation for a good sail.  As we motored out into the Bay, past the point of land that shielded us from the south, we felt the full force of the south wind - a steady 18-20 knots with higher gusts.  We unfurled the jib half way and moved along very quickly, but it became difficult to head in the direction we wanted - south.  So, we started the engine to give us a little push and we were able to point south.  This meant we sailed at hull speed, near 8 knots, with wind and three to five foot waves coming directly at us.  The apparent wind became 25 knots or more.  The waves became more of an obstacle.  The result was that we bashed into the chop for hours and saw more water over the cabin top than we ever have before.  In fact, the water splashed into the dorades (those funnel like things on top of the deck designed to bring fresh air into the cabin) and we ended up with a wet floor and slightly wet bed.  Yuk!  We bailed as soon as we could find a spot to hide and went into a calm bay.  Inside the bay you never would have guessed the wind was blowing and waves were crashing outside.  Whew!  A welcomed relief.

The next morning, it was back to calm waters and light winds.  We motored the rest of the way down the Chesapeake and grabbed a free dock for the night at Hampton Public Pier (thanks to our kind friend Radeen who nabbed a coupon for us).  We shared a beer with friends Eric and Pat at the Taphouse followed by a lovely meal with eight other Island Packet owners at Venture.  What fun!

Sunrise on Godfrey Bay
(remember you can click on all photos to enlarge)

A day on the Bay

Wolf Trap Light - kind of a funny looking light

Leaving Hampton the next morning we headed south down the Elizabeth River through Norfolk and onto the intracoastal waterway.  Within the first two miles we got stopped by two railroad bridges that are "usually open" with trains slowly crossing.  And so it begins.  The waterway is beautiful.   Challenges along the way include: assuring you pay attention all the time so as not to leave the channel and run aground, or run into anything else; negotiating bridges all along the route by speeding up or slowing down to meet their scheduled openings; slowing down so large motor yachts can pass you without sending you rocketing to shore from their wakes; and finding suitable anchorages along the way.

Cypress roots in the Waterway 

Birds!! We think Storm Petrels - click this one!

Just in case you think we are the only ones doing this!

Waiting for the train to get by

Friends on "Cutter Loose" dwarfed by carrier

Tonight, we are anchored off Buck Island in North Carolina, about 10 miles north of Albemarle Sound.  It is a quiet spot and we are the only ones here.  Our friends Pat and Eric are anchored on the south side of the island.  We will catch up with them on the water tomorrow morning for a long
70 mile day across the sound, down the Alligator River, through the Alligator/Pungo Canal and into another picturesque anchorage in the Pungo Creek.

Sunday we will do a short day and reach River Dunes in Oriental for two days, where we will meet up with three other Island Packets.  The added bonus is that we'll spend Sunday and Monday evenings there for the weather forecast of 40-45 degrees at night!  We'll have the benefit of heat while plugged in at the marina - excellent timing!

'Til next time -