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 After our grounding, we found a
suitable anchorage after we back tracked
7.5 nm. The wind was abating and the water was wide, and best of all,
the anchor was finally holding. Maybe the debris on the channel floor
was not as bad as before. On Tuesday, we weighed anchor and headed yet
again for South Mill lock for the 0830 opening. This time we took the
right channel and were welcome with very shallow waters (less than 6
feet apparently due to the continuing northerly winds). We entered the
lock at 0830 and were greeted with a less helpful lock master than we
remembered from the Fall. We raised 9 feet during the locking and then
headed for the South Mill bridge at 0900.
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 At last, we were in the Dismal. We planned a fifteen minute stopover at
the Welcome Center which was extended to 45 minutes (how can one spend
only fifteen minutes at the DSC Welcome Center?). Now we had to rush to
the Deep Creek Lock. This is the first 'green' visit in the DSC. Other
times when we traveled here it was the Fall where the foliage had
already turned. As usual, this was three dimensional navigation, where
you constantly had to look aloft to be sure you were not heading for an
overhanging tree.
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 We arrived at the Deep Creek
bridge at 1335. Either we were late or
early. We would be early if there were any southbound vessels as we
would have to wait for them (at least a half hour). Fortunately, there
was no such traffic and the lock master let us pass through the bridge a
bit late. This lock tender was great. He helped us with our lines;
recognized that we had more bridges to catch, and locked us through as
quickly as possible. We promised him sea shells for his garden during
our next trip through in the Fall. BTW, he can play tunes on a conch
shell..
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 At 1400, we were on our way to Portsmith. We had to pass through the
Jordon Lift Bridge before 1530 which should have been a piece of cake.
However, the tug Nighthawk was in front of us and was struggling with
her tow. We stayed out of her way but we were afraid the delay would
mean that we would miss the last opening of the Jordon Bridge. Bridge
tenders are good people. Ms. Jordon Bridge went out of her way to be
sure we cleared her bridge before 1530. We were free. There no more
obstacles to our destination other than the weather and crab pots.
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 No crab pots! Apparently it was too
early in the season for crab pots.
We were very happy as it meant one less obstacle to a successful
voyage. The weather had moderated to nearly calm winds and minimal
seas. Wow, life continues to be kewl! Sea Dog is loving life and I
can't tear him from the wheel. OK, I'll get some shuteye. We trade
watches throughout the night. The traffic is minimal with only a few
tugs within eye sight. At 0600, I take watch and note that our speed
(of course we are motoring) has dropped more than a knot. (Previously
we were motorsailing but the wind turned foul at 0200). The apparent
wind was on the nose at 15 knots. Seadog hit the berth but not for
long. At 0900 the apparent wind increased to 25 knots and the seas
rapidly built to 3-4 feet. Those who are familiar with the Chesapeake
know that 3-4 feet with their short period can be quite uncomfortable!
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 Mal de Mer struck Seadog with a vengeance at 1000. The seas became
quite uncomfortable as we passed the Patuxent River. We planned on
falling off once we passed the damn LNG platform with its 500 yard
security restrictions. Once it was to our stern we fell off to the west
and Jule III was a bit happier. Later , the wind subsided and the
waves calmed. By the time we got to Herring Bay, the wind and waves were
light. At 1600, we were at Herrington Harbour North where our good friend
Vicki led us to our slip. The slip was not where management told us it
would be. Thank you Miss Vicki!!!!
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