Voyage 2020: Chapter 2

9 May 2020, Third: Norfolk, 36 50.724 N/ 076 18 W

We left Reedville at dawn as the trip to Norfolk would take 10-12 hours. Weather should hold until tomorrow. Our plan is to spend the weather days at Hospital Point on the hook. We started off with one kt. opposing tide but it soon reversed and grew to 1.5 kt. favorable. Our trip was uneventful until ... this cloud bank appeared on the western skyline. Hmm. Weather radar and NOAA said 'no big deal'. We had only the mizzen up so we continued.

Should have furled the mizzen!! The brunt of the squall (25 gusting to 35 kt.) hit us as we were rounding the James River into the Elizabeth River with blinding rain. Of course, two large containers and their supporting tugs were passing us. In addition, a dredge was dredging blocking half the channel. Oh, and we didn't douse the mizzen. But we managed. Hopefully, we will plan better next time.

We spent four full days at Hospital Point. We anchored not too far from Five & Dime and two other boats. More came in the following days as the weather worsened. On the third day (early morning), we were greeted by our anchor alarm. Ann turned on the engine and put Jule in gear to stop our dragging. Bob went up to the bow to retrieve the anchor; as it came up he saw a tire on the flukes, lots of rope, lots of shell fish, and two chunks of steel (see gallery). It took over a hour to remove the tire. Poor Ann had to 'drive' the boat for all this time in 50 degree weather. Apparently we anchored on the tire. Hope we don't find it on our return trip.

10 May 2020, The Dismal Swamp Canal, 36 39.21 N/ 076 22.11 W

Left Hospital Point at 0830 and headed for Deep Creek lock. Of course we had to wait for the Norfolk & Western #7 Railroad bridge for 30 minutes. But we had planned for it in our timetable. We didn't realize immediately,but Deep Creek is skinny at low tide Robert was on duty at the Deep Creek Lock and warned us of an encroaching shoal. We like Robert for his professionalism, personality, and canal tidbits. Sadly, we didn't hear him play the conch this year. As usual, we had an effortless locking experience.

We tied up on the free dock on the port side of the canal where we were greeted by a bunch of kids with their parents and grandparents. The children were so excited to see us dock in their park. We were excited to talk to them (social distancing, of course) as this is the only social contact we have had since for nearly a month.

We stayed for and extra day as weather on the outside (of the canal) would be not be too attractive. We walked the bike trail, talked to the bikers and the park's maintenence staff, and did some boat chores. Today we departed for South Mills and Elizabeth City. Approaching the lock, we had difficulty with a boat backing down on us while we both waited for the bridge. We had to back quickly, lost control, and our masthead went into a tree. We freed ourselves, caught the bridge, and surveyed the damage (wind instruments disabled). Bad stuff comes in 3's. Depressing.