Part two from Magic
Received: November 03, 2007
Ahoy All - Left Solomon's Island on October 28th for the Great Wicomico
River and Reedville - Wind North 25-30 kn. Encountered gust of 36 kts
- Seas: 4-5 ft w/some 5-6 ft. Motor sailed and got pooped once by the
foam on the top of a wave. First time for that to happen. Quite a wild
ride - Busy all the time - No Merlin (autopilot). Made Reedville about
4
pm. Cold night had to fire up the heat pail low 40's. Made 42.8 nm
today.
October 29th Departed Reedville for Jackson Creek on the Piankatank
River. Wind apparent averaged 5-6 kts NE Motor sailed Arrived Jackson
Creek 3
pm Made good 26.1 nm. Jackson Creek is tricky entrance right
up on the beach with a sharp turn to port to enter. Lots of boats
anchored heading south. Many boats from Canada.
The catamaran from
hell turned up and anchor right next to us. Can't seem to shake her.
October 30th - Departed Jackson Creek for maybe Sarah Creek on the
York River. Tide was out so followed 2 other sailboats out of the creek.
Both boats ran aground in the channel but managed to get off and
continue on. Observed boat entering channel and warned him that there
was little water available. He promptly ran aground and was still
blocking the channel long after we were on our way. Sunny today with
winds 5 kts. Motor sailed with good current help. Decided to try for
Norfolk
instead. Arrived 5:30
pm and took a slip at Waterside Marina.
Very interesting passage up Hampton Roads. Saw lots of shipping and
some warships. Tried very hard to stay just outside the channel. Sure
don't want to mess with any of the big guys.
October 31 - Happy Halloween!! Laying Waterside Marina - Took ferry to
Portsmouth. Very cute little waterfront town all restored. Had lunch
and went to the Naval Shipyard Museum.
November 1st - Still at Waterside - Visited with our dear friends the
Rockwells. Had lunch on the beach in Virginia
Beach and Susie took us
grocery shopping then drove us back to the marina. Great not to have
to walk to store. Thanks again for the great visit. Weather prediction
is turning bad. There seems to be fellow named Noel heading our way.
November 2 - Still at Waterside - We will never get out of the Bay.
Noel is here with winds 35 to 40 kts at the dock. Many boats here and
not leaving. No rain just wind. Went walking in downtown Norfolk.
Tom
was wearing his sunglasses. How windy was it?? His glasses blew off
his face landed in the street where upon the lenses fell out and a car
ran over the whole thing. We had a laugh over that. Noel is not
predicted to be at his worst today. That will come tomorrow. So we are
stuck for another day. Yikeeeees!!!
November 3 - Raining and blowing this morning so took a lazy morning
with a nice breakfast. The sun finally came out so we decided to try
the Daily Grind in Portsmouth to send an e-mail to everyone. The
internet at the marine is not a strong enough signal. We are hoping
to leave here tomorrow. The Dismal Swamp is closed with no water so
we will be going the Virginia Cut. We are going to try to push as far
as we can trying to make up for lost time. LET ME OUT OF THE
CHESAPEAKE!!!!
Thanks to everyone for the replies. We have a very old laptop (windows
98) so we can not open big, zip, or Mac attachments from Chad or the
Kellys. Diane I could not open the picture file you sent. I am
assuming it was the latest picture of Penelope. Wish I could see it.
Darn!! Special thanks to Marla and Gene Meirs for the bag of goodies.
We are loving the snack items. Hope to get together in Key
West if we
ever get out of the Chesapeake. To Joan Doherty I will try the Ugly
Dip first chance I get. How great that you are on your way to China.
Aren't we retirees adventurous??