I am anchored at Hospital Point, in Hampton, across the
river from Norfolk. I used to think that “Hospital Point” was a nic-name, but
that is the official name, and true to its name, there is a huge hospital
complex looming beside the 100 year old original. The trip up had a little of
everything (except cold). There was beautiful sailing down the Pamlico and up
the Pungo. Then a blazing hot 20 mile trip through the canal to a beautiful
anchorage with three other boats in the narrows of the Alligator River, with
strong and gusty wind, that kept me in the cockpit for the evening. I was at
anchor, but I was not far from the Alligator River Marina, one of my favorites.
I stopped there with Barbara and Bailey when they were bringing their brand new
boat down from Deltaville. It is a typical eastern North Carolina place with a convenience
store, small restaurant, and everything needed at a marina. And it is well
protected from bad weather. Just ask Normandie when she, Marion, Marjorie and
Anne came down from Virginia. All the
other boats were hunkered down , but the intrepid ladies weathered the storm
and were the first ones through the bridge. I love the place, and always stop
when driving to the Outer Banks.
The next
day was motoring through the crab pots up the Alligator River and across the
Albermarle Sound. It wasn’t as hot, but was dead calm, and I had to drive the
whole way dodging the pot floats. There are no anchorages at convenient
distances from Norfolk, so I stopped early just north of the Albermarle. At sea
I can spend a lot of the time letting the boat drive herself while I read or do
chores. On the ICW I have to stay in the cockpit all the time; just dash below occasionally
to do something quickly before the boat gets into trouble. It is really quite
tiring. I was really ready for a swim that evening.
Then the
last long day was motoring across the Currituck Sound, stopped for fuel at
Coinjock, then through the Chesapeake Canal with nine drawbridges and a lock.
The bad thing about it was that some of the bridges only opened on the hour,
which can really mess up a schedule. You hurry, hurry, hurry to make the
opening, miss it, and have to wait an hour. The most interesting that day was
going up the Elizabeth River where they do all the heavy ship repairs. Really
interesting commercial, shipping, and Navy craft of all sorts. There was what
looks like a new aircraft carrier (Warship 75 – anybody know what it is?) There
was also a Navy ship that was completely shrouded except for the bridge. When
Advent II said “Hello” the warship said “Don’t look at me.” I got to Hospital
Point about 19:30, with about an hour remaining of daylight. These long days
make for long traveling days.
Today,
Monday, I just tried to sort out the boat some, and it has taken all day. This
is a general plan:
Tuesday: 35 nm to Seaford Va., where we were living when
Grayson was born. Normandie and I have anchored there before, within sight of
the house.
Wednesday: 30 nm to Reedville, at The Great Wicomico River. (I
love the name.) The last time I was there I anchored near the last menhaden
factory left on the east coast. About 10 years ago the last one in North
Carolina, in Beaufort, closed.
Thursday: 40 nm to Solomons Island, in the Patuxent River. I
am looking forward to visiting there for the first time.
Friday: 40 nm to Annapolis. I don’t have any idea what to do
there. I’ll build the dinghy and go ashore to see what happens.
Normandie
spent three afternoons last week windsurfing and kiteboarding, while I was
sweltering in an open cockpit. I was having August weather, she while she was
having April weather. Ride one for me, Normandie.
Now I will
hook on to a wifi and send this. Cheers!
A little later- I have just experienced what was probably
the worst storm ever. I guess at 60 kt wind for 30 minutes, hail, etc. The boat
about 100 feet behind me took a direct lightning hit. I have never seen a boat
bounce and veer so much. It would veer to one side, then the wind would lay it
over dramatically. Very spectacular. I was very happy at how well Advent II
did. I was comfortable the whole time. The good thing was that it happened
during daylight.
Bill
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