Voyage 2016: Chapter 1

8 May 2016, On to Norfolk, 36 50.79 N/ 076 18.054 W

We left the Pelican at 0645, went through the bascule bridge at 0700, and headed for the 1100 opening at the South Mills lock of the Dismal. As usual the Pasquotank was beautiful. Spring had pretty much blossomed on the river and the pollen was following our noses north. Al opened the locks on time and squeezed 5 boats on the port side and the last on the starboard. Our bow was less than 5 feet from the boat in front of us. First time in 12 transits that we were so poorly positioned. Water came in, boats got closer, and Al just smiled. Al is not our favorite lock tender. We miss Frank. We were released from the lock and Al opened the bridge, and we were off with 4 other boats.

Current from the feeder ditch was strong so we fought a half knot foul current. When we passed the ditch, we got a fair current. We arrived at Deep Creek bridge and lock just in time for the 1530 opening with 3 other boats waiting. Robert was the lock master so of course everything went smoothly. His buddy was there also. Out the lock we went, and headed for Hospital Point. It was Sunday so the Gilmerton Bridge was unrestricted and the eternal work on NS #7 railroad bridge was suspended for the weekend. Still we had to wait a bit for the Gilmerton. We arrived at Hospital Point at 1800 with a nearly empty anchorage. Not bad.

16 May 2016, Norfolk to Solomon's, 38 19.782 N/ 076 27.444 W

We left Hospital Point on a favorable (sort of) tide, dodged a war ship, scooted behind a submarine, and then headed up the Chesapeake motor sailing, where we picked up a crab pot(?) in the shipping channel off of Wolf Trap light. It stayed with us for about 20 minutes then we were free. We turned into the Great Wicomico and anchored at Sandy Point right before dark. Somebody planted crab pots in our anchorage. Weighed anchor at sunrise and headed to Solomon's in a really nasty downpour. Fortunately, it did not last long. We were rewarded with a favorable current all the way up. The Potomac crossing was nice (which it usually is not).

We arrived at Zahnisers Yacht Center at 1130 where we got a nice end tie on I dock. It was the first time we took a slip at Zahnisers. Nice place with nice people. We got a deal on the slippage rate also. Our plan was simple: refuel, rent a car and see the kids in Vienna, come back, go to Roy Rogers just up the street from the marina, and the continue up north.

We got a surprise when we arrived at Chris' and Christina's. They had remodeled the kitchen and family room. We were pleased and happy they were improving the house. It was our house for nearly 30 years and it is good to keep it in the family. On Saturday, we , Chris, and Lilli went to see the 0930 showing of Captain America Civil War. Nobody won but the bad guys lost. We headed back to the boat after church and readied the boat for our departure on Monday. But wait, weather was not great, so we delayed again til Tuesday.