Hanging out in Elizabeth City

Hi,
Today actually dawned with a peek of sun, but that was short lived and the rain and strong south wind have been with us on and off all day. We stayed anchored and read up on the next leg of the trip and then took a dinghy ride into town to watch a parade - we think it was for the Homecoming at ECSU - and then met up with Kite's crew for lunch. We had met them at the NC welcome center. While talking we discovered that they had been planning to anchor in Hudson Creek over Memorial Day Weekend but went on to Smith Point because there was such a big raft-up in Hudson Creek. (CCYC members will probably remember it well!!) Today's picture shows where Dan installed a special magnetic plate for the GPS and Sirius satellite antennas right under our translucent panels, it also shows the rain that kept us snuggly down below! It was actually quite warm and humid today. We look forward to an early start tomorrow down the Pasquotank River and across Albemarle Sound to the Alligator River.

Today in a nutshell

NC Welcome Center to Elizabeth City, NC

Up early this morning to let the inside boat out but by the time 3 of us headed off the early bird was still in bed!!  A quiet ride down the canal got us to the South Mills lock for the 8:30 AM "drop" to "sea level".  Three of us came from the Welcome Center and joined 5 others that had waited on the wall near the lock.  Eight came out of the lock and paraded 18 miles down the Pasquotank River to Elizabeth City.  Three of us anchored NE of the city proper because "Skipper Bob" and others, including our new acquaintances on Kite, said the free docks were not worth it when the wind was blowing anywhere out of the east.  D adventured into town in the dinghy and decided there wasn't even a place to tie it up in these conditions.  It was a good move to anchor!  We will probably be here through the day tomorrow as there is an 80% chance of rain.  ~~~(\~~~ D & M
Google Earth track file



Following S/V Kite under Rt. 17 bridge near the end of the Dismal Swamp Canal

Being lowered back to "sea level" at the end of the canal

Anchored a mile northeast of Elizabeth City to avoid an uncomfortable
night in town with this east wind

Portsmouth, VA to the NC Welcome Center on the Dismal Swamp

Hi, We had a working morning, Dan changed the impeller on the raw water pump and I did laundry. We headed out at 11:30, all clean, charged up and ready to take on the Dismal Swamp. We chose the DS route after studying all our books about whether to take the VA cut or the Dismal Swamp. We had 5 bridges to open and one we fit under before reaching the lock at the beginning of the DS Canal for the 1:30 lock opening. It raised up 8 feet to meet the canal. We traveled 18 more miles along the canal (VERY narrow and pretty shallow, but also very pretty. We are rafted with 6 other boats at the free dock at the Welcome Center for the night. The day started out sunny and bright, but increasing clouds and a definite chill ended the day. We have an early start because one of the boats that is on the inside (we're three deep at the dock) wants to leave at 7:00! No sailing at all today, and probably not for a while. ~~~(\_~~~M&D
Google Earth track file



In the Deep Creek Lock of the Dismal Swamp Canal sporting the stern
name so all the big boats that want to pass us know what to call us
(thanks Gerry and Bob)

Looking down the Dismal Swamp Canal - George Washington was an accurate surveyor

Following S/V Kite and S/V Island Time down the Dismal Swamp

Jackson Cr. to Tidewater Marina Portsmouth, VA (Mile #1 for ICW)

Here we are! We have left the Chesapeake!
Last night turned ugly. We dragged and ran aground at 1:15 AM, so were up and powering off and resetting the hook. I got back to the bunk around 2:15, but Dan stayed up for another 45 min. to make sure we were not going to drag again. The wind had turned farther north and strengthened during the night. We left the Creek at 8:00am and headed out into a roiling bay. It was pretty rolly for the first three hours, but then we could change course a little and it settled in a bit. The wind was N at 15-20 with a few higher gusts. It quieted down as we approached Norfolk, and our trip past all the busy Navy and port activities was quite pleasant. We took a slip at Tidewater Marina in Portsmouth because they advertise the cheapest fuel and best facilities in the area, and I think they may be right. There are fuel pumps on each dock, so you don't have to leave your slip to re-fuel and the restaurant is excellent! We are ready for a good night's sleep before heading down the "ditch." G'night, D&M
Google Earth track file

Nice composition!

AHHH... A good night's sleep.

Dan and matching cranes

Naval Shipyards

Mill Creek to Jackson Creek, Deltaville, VA

Hi, Short day today. We dropped anchor in Jackson Creek at noon.  West wind all morning, but light enough that we chose to motorsail.  Spotted several schooners on their way back north after the Schooner race last week that went from Baltimore to Portsmouth.  Walked in to town from the state dock off Jackson Creek to get rid of a bag of garbage and to pick up a couple of hose clamps at the hardware store.  I suppose the Broad Creek side of Deltaville has a lot more activity but there is no anchoring.  You have to pay for a slip and we weren't ready to do it.  A guy from town drove us back to the dock!!
Google Earth track file



Schooner from last weeks race heading north as we head south


At anchor in Jackson Creek on south side of Deltaville

Solomon's to Mill Creek

Hi,
What a beautiful misty morning in Solomons, very still as we cast off at 8:00 from the guest dock at Solomons Landing (thanks Dave and Pat) and headed to Calvert Marina to buy $2.99 diesel. We headed out with about 5 other boats, with many still at anchor but getting ready to leave. We powered south toward the mouth of the Potomac and finally got enough wind to raise (and roll out) sails just as we spotted our first pelican just past noon. We were able to sail with occasional spurts on the engine throughout the afternoon and headed into the mouth of the Great Wicomico River along with three of the many fishing boats that make Reedsville their home. We opted for Mill Creek at the south side of the mouth of the GWR because we read about the smell from the fish factories in Reedville. The wind turned south as we headed in - - not west as was forecast. Hopefully it will change by tomorrow morn. We wound our way up one of the prettiest creeks we have seen and anchored at 4:00pm. Several other sailboats are near, but we have this bight to ourselves. Looks like it would have been easy to find Maggie a spot to go ashore here. Ah well, I'm sure she's happier being home with Amy. ~~~(\_~~~M&D
Google Earth track file




Bye Bye Blues anchored with us in Mill Creek (saw them
last night, too)



Local Air Force buzzing us just before sunset

Kent Narrows to Solomon's

Hi! We called some CCYC friends that live in Solomon's and are tied up to the T-head on their dock. We got in at 3:55. We left our .home slip at 8:00 and were able to sail (jib only) the entire way except the last 20 minutes up the creek to the dock. The wind was NNE and either side of 15 kts. all day. The solar panel seemed to be trickling about 5 amps most of the day except when the sail blanketed it (and us--BRR). We seemed to be in the company of several other snowbirds all the way here (they probably left from Annapolis) We'll see if we see them tomorrow.
Google Earth track file




Martha at the helm with Solar Panel behind



Others sailing south



On the dock in Solomons with lots of people anchored here
and there throughout the harbor