Sandy is still hanging around

Monday mid day and it is still raining hard and windy.  Some strong gusts but mostly no big deal.  On the radar it looks like we are almost done, but there is a good chance we will get hit with the back side of the storm tonight and tomorrow as the winds come more from the west.

Here are pictures of the spillway at the lock - about 500 yds south of us.  These were taken before the rain started - don't want to take a walk just now.  The water is brown because of the tannin from rotting leaves/vegetation and trees.  Apparently in colonial times barrels of this water was shipped back to Europe because they thought it was a curative.  Now we know what it does - puts that lovely "beard" on the bow of the boat!

We hope all you guys in NY and NJ are safe and don't have any big problems from the storm.  Stay in, curl up with a good book, have a glass of wine ...

Hurricane Sandy is coming

Tied up and ready for Sandy

Hi form the Dismal Swamp.  We are tied up at the sea wall just above the South Mills lock at the southern end of the man made canal that goes through the Dismal Swamp.  We are about 40 miles south of Norfolk, about 30 miles north of the Albermarle Sound, surrounded by land feeling quite safe here with about 10 sail boats.  There is a convenience store that makes pizza and diner style breakfasts.  They might even have ice cream for all you ice cream lovers out there.

We had an easy day coming down the bay from Deltaville to Norfolk.  As we came into the mouth of the bay we heard on the radio from a navy escort boat that we needed to stay 400 yards clear of the naval vessel leaving the harbor.  We looked for something huge like an aircraft carrier, but there was apparently nothing.  On further inspection we saw the top of a submarine making its way out of the harbor

Submarine leaving Norfolk

Naval Ships on the ready

Today the rest of the navy ships are leaving port.  They chickened out and left town.  We, brave souls, decided to stay inland tied up secure and snug.  We were with Ken and Barbara the last 2 nights. One at the Top Rack Marina where we got fuel for $3.59/gal!!! They also have a deal that if you eat at their restaurant you get a night for free at the dock.  Excellent dinner and company.  We then followed them through the canal yesterday.  Today they went ahead to their marina where the boat will winter.  We decided to stay in this Hurricane hole.

Barbara in the lock

We hope you are all secure as well, and weather the storm with no problems. 

Deltaville

At Solomon's Island we were able to get the dinghy engine repaired.  Once again they cleaned out the carburator and told us that the fuel tank was full of water.  The vent valve was stuck open and condensation was getting in.  The ethanol absorbs it and gums up the injectors.  The end result has been repeated problems with the engine not idling.  We got a new 3 gallon (instead of 6 gallon) gas tank and hose with new connectors.  I think we are good to go.... anyway I sure hope so.

Nice house in Solomon's Island

Since our last post we have been in Deltaville, VA.  We had a great run south and dropped the hook.  Very quiet and peaceful anchorage.  We have arranged to have a new sea water wash down pump installed.  The one we have has a weak flow, and uses up our drinking water.  The new one will have a lot more pressure and will use sea water.  Hopefully this will make it easier - and less messy - when we pull up the anchor. 

 This lighthouse on the bay looks like someone used to live there.  Imagine That!

Check out the little hand made boat that was sailing around our boat.  I was out for a dinghy trial and spotted it.  It even tacked on its own.  Very clever design.

Deltaville Marina

We spent 3 nights on the hook, and yesterday came in for our first night at a dock since MYC.  They have a loaner car, so we were able to stock up.  Then SURPRISE!  We got a call from Barbara and Ken Hyman.  They caught up to us and anchored out in Jackson Creek.  We invited them to come over for dinner.  Great fun - great company.  They are headed south to North Carolina and will leave their boat there for the winter.

Today the mechanic is installing the pump, and we plan to leave for Norfolk tomorrow.  It is our plan to be in the ICW past the locks before the possibility on bad weather this weekend.  I sure hope the storm takes a turn east before getting up here. 

Down the Chesapeake

We have been working our way south, passing through Anapolis and now Solomons Island.  Anapolis seemed empty, and we were told everyone left after the boat shows were finished. Solomons is bustling in the harbor - filled with boats heading south.  Lots of beautiful cruising sailboats. We had a day of rain sitting in Bohemia Bay, but it has been gorgeous, warm and sunny since then. 

The dinghy engine is acting up again.  We will have it looked at today.  It is frustrating to have things not behave. Just like middle schoolers - you got to love them - even when they don't want to work!  We will be heading to Deltaville next. Then on to the ICW after Norfolk.  Still can't believe we are really doing this.

Anapolis at night

Anapolis at dawn

Typical Chesapeake Bay lighthouse

Solomon's Island shoreline

The first leg of the trip

We were finally able to go down the Hudson River on Thursday.  We had both wind and current pushing us down, and a gorgeous sunny fall day. As we passed the tip on Manhattan we were able to call our son Ryan to look out his office window and he could see us passing the Statue Of Liberty.  Very nice day.  We stopped and anchored in Atlantic Highlands. 

View north from Atlantic Highlands toward Manhattan

Knowing the prediction for high winds Fri afternoon, and the long distance to Cape May, we set out in the dark at 4:30 AM to go around Sandy Hook and down the Jersey coast.  We hugged the shore to stay in the lee of the west winds and kept going all the way.  At Cape May the expected 25 - 30 kt winds disolved into a very comfortable evening.  Even still, 13 hours is a long ride.

 Sunset in Cape May

Saturday AM we slept in, but should have left earlier.  It was an easy run up the Delaware Bay, but slow because we were against the current the whole day.  We barely made it by dark to Chesapeake city.  We found a corner of the harbor to set the hook and went to sleep.  This morning we decided to take an easy day.  We went out of the canal into the Chesapeake to Bohemia Bay.  We got fuel, pump out and water etc, and found a spot to anchor to wind down.  This is a beautiful, quiet bay, warmer weather, and we look forward to a lovely sunset.  We finally feel like we are on the trip!  No deadlines or requirements.  That is what we have been waiting for.

Traffic was large and heavy on the Delaware Bay

Unlike the quiet pastoral scene in Bohemia Bay

Waiting for a weather window

     Today is Wed. and we are still waiting for a weather window to go around New Jersey to Cape May.  There have been 2 days with NE winds bringing high waves (4 - 7 feet) onto the Jersey shore. Tonight and tomorrow a cold front is coming in from the NW with winds 20 - 25 kts and gusts to 35kts.Not a good day to be on the ocean.  Looks like Fri will be good with west winds 10 - 15 kts.  Saturday should be good to go up the  Delaware Bay...

When cruising there is always the question of "Weather or not" to go.  Always best to wait, even though we are excited to be off.