Day 6: Chesapeake Boat Basin to Solomon's Island

This morning we left Chesapeake Boat Basin and headed north up the Chesapeake. We saw a huge pod of dolphins swimming around... we think that they were feeding. It was really neat. We also spotted a couple stingrays.

Later on in the day, we decided to unfurl the jib sail, because we thought that it would help steady us from all the waves, and it really made a huge difference.

We are on a mooring ball at Solomon's Island... VERY nice. We dropped the dinghy and went to shore, and since we are paying for the mooring ball, we have all the amenities of the marina. Pools, showers, ect. So, we “checked out” some bikes and rode to the grocery store, then came back and went to the pool. After dinner, I got to go up the mizzen mast (in the Bowson's chair, climbing up this ladder that is between two shrouds) and untie the wind generator. That was fun!

We were considering having a layover day here at Solomons Island because of weather, but, it looks like that, if we leave late (8:30-ish) we'll not get hit with the 3ft waves. So, that would be nice. If we do two long days tomorrow and Monday, we could make it home then. It's 85 miles from here to HdG. So now it all depends on the weather.

I most likely won't have internet again till we get home, but I'll make up for it then!

Cheers!
Christine

Day 5: Bluewater to Chesapeake Boat Basin

We left Bluewater early, and went through the inlet at Hampton Roads. It was very rough. Like, almost burying the bow, saltwater in the face kinda rough.
We saw a few dolphins and a couple stingrays.

We raised some sails today, in attempt to steady our boat. We raised the mizzen and the jib. Then, we wanted to see if we could sail closer to the wind if we put the main sail up, so we furled the jib and started to raise the main. About 3/4 of the way up, it got stuck, and we couldn't raise it any further. So, we lowered the main and the mizzen sails, and motored into a marina.

Also, while this whole thing was going on, our refrigeration system shut off. So, it's not working anymore. When we got to the marina, we relaxed for awhile before dinner... then, after dinner, Michael was hoisted up in the Bowson's chair to try and figure out what was wrong with the main mast. He didn't actually change anything, but the next time we tried to hoist the main, it went all the way up. So thats good...

Cheers!
Christine

Day 4: Great Bridge to Bluewater Yachting Center

Today was an interesting day.
See, we had to get through a lock that opens on the hour, and a bridge that is closed from 6-9. So, our goal was to get through that bridge before 6. Alarms were set for 4:30, and we all went to sleep.

Mom and Dad woke up early. They thought it was 4:30. It actually was 3:30. So that wasn't good. We ended up not leaving early, and waiting to get to the bridge after 9. We weren't comfortable getting started at 5, which was our original plan, because we didn't know if it would be light enough. So we waited. Well, they all waited. I slept in til 7:30 -ish.

We only traveled about 20 miles today, but it was a long day because we had to wait for bridges to open, and we traveled through Norfolk, which is a huge Naval base. It was really neat... cruising right by all those huge ships... but it was kinda stressful, because there were all sorts of tourist-y boats and Coast Guard and police ships, ect.

We got to Bluewater about 1:30-ish, I think. We kinda chilled out in the AC for a while, then decided to go exploring. We took a nice hot walk into civilization and found a dollar store and bought some stuff... then we chilled out at the pool, and caught crabs!

Cheers!
Christine

Day 3: Alligator River to Great Bridge

I forgot to mention yesterday that, while Michael was driving, he saw a baby bear cub on the shore line!

So, yesterday was a long day. We left port at 6:30, and arrived at Great Bridge at 5:30-ish. Crossing the Abamarle Sound was pretty easy, and we barely outran a huge thunderstorm. Actually, we didn't outrun it, we did get some rain.

We stopped at Coinjock for fuel, drinks, and a walk for Tazzie. We got to Great Bridge, tied up at the free dock (nice that it's free, but no electricity, facilities, ect.) Then a really big thunderstorm hit. So we hung out for a while. When the storm passed, we walked to a really, really, yummy Mexican restaurant. Then we went grocery shopping... and that's about it.

I would've posted this yesterday, but we didn't have internet.

Cheers!
Christine

Day 2: Dowry Creek to Alligator River

We left port today at 7 am. I woke up at 8. =) Today was much nicer, as far as the weather goes. But, none of us put quite enough sunscreen on, so we are all slightly burnt. Or pink-ish. But it's not too bad.

We traveled 40 miles today, arriving at Alligator River at 1:30-ish. Alligator River was interesting. The weather station said 10-15 knots of wind, but crossing the river, we had 20-25 knots. And 2 ft seas. So, we weren't expecting that, but it was fine. We also crossed under our first swinging bridge today.

Our plan is to leave early tomorrow morning, stop for fuel and a walk for Taz at Coinjock, then head on to Great Bridge, arriving in the evening, 6:30 or 7 ish.

We're having a great time so far... see you all when we get home!

Cheers!
Christine

Day 1: Oriental Harbor to Dowry Creek

So, we left HdG yesterday (Sunday) late morning, to drive to NC. After Erin's mime performance in the morning, we drove to Annapolis to pick up our new dinghy, then headed to Oriental. We arrived about 7:30-ish, and loaded all of our stuff on the boat, barely finishing before a strong thunderstorm hit. I, unfortunately, was taking the dock cart back when the storm hit, so, while none of our stuff got wet, I was drenched. However, the rain only lasted about 10 minutes. After the storm passed, the Edwards came down to say hi.

This morning around 9:30 we left port. It was HOT! and HUMID! But we did have a slight breeze once we got moving. It was still extremely sticky-warm out. But, cruising was nice, and we arrived at Dowry Creek (45mi from Oriental) at 4:30. Immediately after getting the lines situated, we all changed into our swim suits and jumped in the pool. It felt amazing! We also got ice cream bars, and went to this get-together thingy with other cruisers, obtained some local knowledge about our potential marina for tomorrow night, and had some food.

Tomorrow we plan to head to Alligator River, about 40 miles away.

Cheers!
~Christine


EDIT: earlier, Michael and I had a fly swatting competition. (The boat came supplied with three fly swatters.) He won, 28 to 27.