Voyage 2013-2014: Chapter 4

03 Oct 2014, Heading for Norfolk, 37 18.882 N/ 076 17.424 W

We are lazy and did not leave the Gam anchorage until today (Monday) and we were one of the last to go. An empty anchorage is a bit depressing. We headed for Solomons but wind, waves, and motor made the mouth of the Potomac possible. As the weather was calm and flat, we chose to anchor in Cornfield Harbor which is noted for its poor holding. Took a long time to hold. Next night we got as far as New Point Comfort (light) with a poorly protected anchorage but no weather. Not bad.

Yesterday we left the Comfort for Norfolk and beyond. Still motor sailing most of the time but some wind to add .5-1.0 knot to our SOG. Thwe current gods have been mostly kind for our transit of the Chesapeake and this day is no exception. We tucked into Hospital Point for a couple of days. Then off to the Dismal Swamp. A really big dredge and tug clogged up the Gilmerton bridge for a while but we missed the opening. and then Norfolk Southern bridge #7 closed the waterway for over 30 minutes. Luck was with us and we managed to make the Deep Creek lock and bridge for the 1100 opening!

18 Oct 2014, Almost back to old Homeport, 34 33.084 N/ 077 19.476 W

Our transit of the Dismal Swamp Canal and the Pasquotank River to Elizabeth City via Goat Island was great! Contrary to conventional wisdom, the trip was again without incident.

EC was great with Mike, Earle, Billy, and Diesel. We attended church in EC for the first time. Vibrant church! Albermarle was a bit stressful with the mini floats. We actually banged into an orphaned float. We anchored at the headwaters of the Alligator River, tied up at R.E. May in Hobucken, and bought lots of seafood, and then anchored near the USCG facility in Beaufort NC.

Hurricane Gonzalo was stirring up the Atlantic with seas of 2-3 meters near the Carolina coast so we decided on the inside. It was not as bad as we thought. There was a shift change at the Onslow bridsge and we got the nice tender instead of the nasty tender. All of the bridge openings were close but the Onslow made it possible. We continued on the ICW and anchored at Mile Hammock (first time). Nice place!