Saturday, May 21st We are anchored off St. Mary's River which is off the Potomac. We were in Deltaville last night. We intended to anchor but the anchorage was full by the time we arrived, so we docked at Deltaville Marina. We left the dock at 6 AM this morning with the sails raised and sailing against the tide. By afternoon we were straight into the wind and still against the tide. Bad day to get anywhere. We had hoped for Solomons Island, but that will wait for another day. The boat continues to hum along without any engine problems although Bill curses the fuel it eats. I am just glad it runs!
Sunday, May 22nd We left the anchorage in St. Mary's early under sail. The wind and tide stayed with us so we maintained approximately 5 knots into the Patuxent River and Solomons Island. We arrived just after lunch and in time to watch the ceremony at the yacht club for the blessing of the fleet. We anchored in the same area we used on our way South in 2009, but we didn't recognize it until we arrived. This is the anchorage where we had a close encounter with a cement boat. We took the dinghy ashore for a walk and to watch the blessing of the boats out in the river, and then to the marina for ice. It threatens rain. Our goal tomorrow is Annapolis, 50 kn miles, but the tide and wind have not been with us the past few days, so it is probably a reach.
Monday, May 23rd The weather report for the afternoon has small craft warnings - 25 kt winds. So we stay put until noon and then move into Calvert Marina here in Solomon's Island. We didn't like the poor holding we were at anchor in. Hopefully, we can move along tomorrow.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Yorktowne VA
Oookkay. I do conclude it is true.
Chesapeake Bay
May 19, 2011 We intend to leave today to start our journey North up the Chesapeake. We had a wonderful visit with the Parkers. The weather extended the visit, but what a great place for a layover. It was great to get off the boat for awhile. It was the first time we have slept in a bed on land or driven a car since November, 2010.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
May 11th We left Elizabeth City NC at 6:30 am to make the bridge and entered the Great Dismal Swamp. What a ride! Talk about green and everywhere. We loved it and evidently were lucky as we never had low water. We went through South Mills lock and Deep Creek lock and rafted with Release outside Deep Creek for dinner and cribbage.
May 12th We steamed down the Elizabeth River through Norfolk and on to Hampton Roads. We are in the Hampton Municipal Piers tonight as we were two years ago. We plan to spend some time visiting Pati and Harrie.
May 13th Pati picked us up in the morning and took us to their home. They treated us to a seafood buffet this evening in Colonial Williamsburg at the Williamsburg Lodge. It was wonderful!
May 14th We called Release and Ken, Francie and Skipper joined Pati and Harrie and us to have lunch and walk around Yorktowne. We all went back to the Parkers and then out for dinner. Toby and Skipper kept each other company and seemed to enjoy each other.
May 15th This was Busch Gardens day. We took the European tour on the simulated helicopter--what a ride! And then we saw the show with the Celtic dancers: an Irish wedding. Very good! We strolled through the wolves and rescued Eagles and the Clydedales. We also took in a rescued pet show. The Gardens are to be continued this evening, and we are really enjoying.
May 12th We steamed down the Elizabeth River through Norfolk and on to Hampton Roads. We are in the Hampton Municipal Piers tonight as we were two years ago. We plan to spend some time visiting Pati and Harrie.
May 13th Pati picked us up in the morning and took us to their home. They treated us to a seafood buffet this evening in Colonial Williamsburg at the Williamsburg Lodge. It was wonderful!
May 14th We called Release and Ken, Francie and Skipper joined Pati and Harrie and us to have lunch and walk around Yorktowne. We all went back to the Parkers and then out for dinner. Toby and Skipper kept each other company and seemed to enjoy each other.
May 15th This was Busch Gardens day. We took the European tour on the simulated helicopter--what a ride! And then we saw the show with the Celtic dancers: an Irish wedding. Very good! We strolled through the wolves and rescued Eagles and the Clydedales. We also took in a rescued pet show. The Gardens are to be continued this evening, and we are really enjoying.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Elizabeth City NC
Moving North
May 2nd, Monday Again we got up early to catch a good tide and were on the waterway by 7:00 a.m. We traveled along the Waccamaw River at break neck speeds with the sails flying. The river is a beautiful wildlife preserve and we saw many, many eagles and birds. We also sailed the ICW through Myrtle Beach. We are anchored with Release in Little Neck, SC. Less than a mile away is the NC/SC border, so South Carolina is behind us. We were in this same anchorage last year with Mike and Youla Cole on Kismet. We cut the corner too wide leaving in the morning and went aground. However, we did manage to kedge off.
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May 3rd Tuesday We did the waterway through Cape Fear today and it was a struggle against the tide most of the way. We did have wind, but most of the time in the wrong direction. However, we did manage to put in 51 miles to the anchorage in Wrightsville Beach, NC.
May 4th, Wednesday Ashore at Wrightsville Beach we had pizza with Release and met some of the other cruisers. We did anchor checks all night as the wind blew hard, and so we slept in. After doing some catch up aboard, we went ashore and walked to Harris Teeter for groceries. The weather threatened but it blew over and we didn't get wet. We hope to travel tomorrow with Release, weather permitting. It is supposed to be in the 60's though and that is COLD!
May 5th, Thursday We made our way up the waterway to Swansboro, NC. Tried anchoring off the small fishing village, but the current and wind were against us backing down. We decided to pull into Casper Marina. The shower was worth it. We walked around the pretty, neat as a pin, little village.
May 6th, Friday We enjoyed the marina for awhile Friday morning, and then sailed through Beaufort on to a channel leading into the mouth of the Neuse River. We rafted there with Release. We had some rain in the evening but managed to avoid the predicted thunderstorms. The temperatures have taken a downturn and we are struggling to reach the 70's. We are enjoying our time with Ken, Francie and Skipper. They will leave us after the Dismal Swamp as they plan to leave their boat on the Chesapeake and we plan to visit in Williamsburg.
May 7th, Saturday We worked our way down the Neuse River, passing by Oriental and sailing on to Belhaven. We anchored off the town with Release and Newsboy. We had good holding. All three boats went ashore for a walk around a pretty little town and to get fuel at the very small marina.
May 8th, Sunday - Mother's Day. We left Belhaven at 7 am just as the rain began. It was cold and rainy for most of the morning as we motored in the Pungo River, but the rain stopped around noon. Soup for lunch hit the spot. Then we steamed through the atmosphere of smoke for many, many miles along the Alligator River. Evidently there was a very big woods fire some place along the ICW. The marina we had planned for our stop couldn't be reached (no cell phone coverage) until we were almost there when we found out they couldn't handle our draft. So we steamed on for another three or four miles and dropped anchor where the Alligator River meets Albermerle Sound. We are rafted with Release and Ken is preparing a Mother's Day feast. Tomorrow we plan to cross the Albermerle Sound and pull into Elizabeth City. Next junket of our trip will be the Dismal Swamp.
May 9th Monday We pulled anchor and left the anchorage only to go aground in a dogleg area. We managed to power dig a ditch and were released. We sailed across Albermerle Sound, down the river into Elizabeth City. On our way into the slip the accelerator lever broke off into our hands. Quick, vice grips and we avoided any accident. We were greeted here in Elizabeth City royally with a wine and cheese fest and roses. We will do some laundry, get a few supplies and head into the Dismal Swamp.
May 3rd Tuesday We did the waterway through Cape Fear today and it was a struggle against the tide most of the way. We did have wind, but most of the time in the wrong direction. However, we did manage to put in 51 miles to the anchorage in Wrightsville Beach, NC.
May 4th, Wednesday Ashore at Wrightsville Beach we had pizza with Release and met some of the other cruisers. We did anchor checks all night as the wind blew hard, and so we slept in. After doing some catch up aboard, we went ashore and walked to Harris Teeter for groceries. The weather threatened but it blew over and we didn't get wet. We hope to travel tomorrow with Release, weather permitting. It is supposed to be in the 60's though and that is COLD!
May 5th, Thursday We made our way up the waterway to Swansboro, NC. Tried anchoring off the small fishing village, but the current and wind were against us backing down. We decided to pull into Casper Marina. The shower was worth it. We walked around the pretty, neat as a pin, little village.
May 6th, Friday We enjoyed the marina for awhile Friday morning, and then sailed through Beaufort on to a channel leading into the mouth of the Neuse River. We rafted there with Release. We had some rain in the evening but managed to avoid the predicted thunderstorms. The temperatures have taken a downturn and we are struggling to reach the 70's. We are enjoying our time with Ken, Francie and Skipper. They will leave us after the Dismal Swamp as they plan to leave their boat on the Chesapeake and we plan to visit in Williamsburg.
May 7th, Saturday We worked our way down the Neuse River, passing by Oriental and sailing on to Belhaven. We anchored off the town with Release and Newsboy. We had good holding. All three boats went ashore for a walk around a pretty little town and to get fuel at the very small marina.
May 8th, Sunday - Mother's Day. We left Belhaven at 7 am just as the rain began. It was cold and rainy for most of the morning as we motored in the Pungo River, but the rain stopped around noon. Soup for lunch hit the spot. Then we steamed through the atmosphere of smoke for many, many miles along the Alligator River. Evidently there was a very big woods fire some place along the ICW. The marina we had planned for our stop couldn't be reached (no cell phone coverage) until we were almost there when we found out they couldn't handle our draft. So we steamed on for another three or four miles and dropped anchor where the Alligator River meets Albermerle Sound. We are rafted with Release and Ken is preparing a Mother's Day feast. Tomorrow we plan to cross the Albermerle Sound and pull into Elizabeth City. Next junket of our trip will be the Dismal Swamp.
May 9th Monday We pulled anchor and left the anchorage only to go aground in a dogleg area. We managed to power dig a ditch and were released. We sailed across Albermerle Sound, down the river into Elizabeth City. On our way into the slip the accelerator lever broke off into our hands. Quick, vice grips and we avoided any accident. We were greeted here in Elizabeth City royally with a wine and cheese fest and roses. We will do some laundry, get a few supplies and head into the Dismal Swamp.
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