Made it to North Carolina!

Tied up at the Great Bridge lock

After Saturday night on the fuel dock in Deltaville, we had to move the boat, and it was a beautiful, sunny morning, so instead of just heading out to anchor again we gave it a shot. The winds were from the NW, so they gave us a good push all the way to Norfolk, and because it was Sunday we were able to get through most of the bridges (many of which are severely restricted during rush hours M-F).
We went through Great Bridge Lock (picture) and Great Bridge bridge, and tied up at a free dock just south of the bridge. It was a very cold night - there was frost on the jib sail cover - and we were glad to be able to walk to a warm place for breakfast before taking off. We headed down the Coinjock route, one in a long caravan of boats that came through the Great Bridge bridge at 8 AM aiming for the next bridge opening at 8:30. Unfortunately, we were a little late getting off, so this huge passenger boat came through the Great Bridge and caused such a wake that it threw our bow line off and pointed our boat straight at it! A few tense moments ensued, but the stern line held (and I put the boat in reverse) and we were able to get ourselves back on the dock to regroup. We incurred some cosmetic damage, and Bill spoke with the captain later today when we were both tied up at Coinjock, NC. We will try to encourage them to pay for repairs....
Meanwhile, we are at a dock tonight, with heat, and a restaurant within a few steps that has very good ratings, so all is well. Bad weather expected for the next few days, so we may hang here another day before heading through Albermarle Bay.

Still in Deltaville!

The stack pack is the green thing!

After two false starts, we are back at anchor in Deltaville. The winds and seas have just been too much to count as 'enjoyable' and we've decided we're going to try not to beat ourselves up on this trip. At the moment the weather looks good for Sunday, but two days ago it looked good for today, so who knows! We just have to get to Hampton, so it's not that far. Tomorrow night it's supposed to be down below 40, so we may end up on the dock again, just to get some heat. Will we ever get to warm weather? A couple pix - our new stack pack (ain't she pretty?) and last night's sunset.

Exploring over the weekend

We're still in Deltaville, but the stack pack arrived today, so with luck it will be installed tomorrow and we can be on our way. Over the weekend we rented a car, and got materials to make two ottomans (extra seating around the table), and I'm glad to say we completed that project today. It's not the most professional job, but it will give us seating and wine storage, so we're not complaining,


Oyster Tasting at its best!




The oyster / crab boats

 The highlight of the weekend was discovering a new place - Merrior Oyster Tasting, at Locklies Marina nearby in Topping. We had 4 each of Rappahanock, Old Salt and Chincoteague oysters - all superb, and listed in order from least to most salty. We also shared some steamed crabs, and met some interesting people. A good day!
We also made it back to the White Dog Inn in Mathews, and to Bankok Noi in Gloucester. We're probably heavier than we were on Friday!

Back in Deltaville

We waited out high winds in Annapolis and finally had a peaceful sail to Solomons on Monday. It was a beautiful day - just warm enough, with a nice breeze, and Bill enjoyed trying out his new hanging chair (a boat show purchase). On Tuesday we came into Deltaville and put out the hook for the night. Wednesday we came into the dock to have an estimate on replacing damaged flooring. The winds battered us all night, and they're still strong today, but at least the rain is gone.
There may be a gap between updates - we have new IPhones, and a new IPad, and nothing is working right. My computer seems to be the problem, so we're renting a car this weekend and heading for a Geek Squad. We'll probably be in Deltaville for at least several more days - maybe as much as a week, if they can get the flooring work done. Meanwhile, we're safe, meeting up with old friends here, and meeting new friends. Life is good!

EGO ALLEY in Annapolis

After attending the Annapolis sailboat show, where we ordered a "stack pack" for our mainsail, we dinghied over to their shop in Eastport to pick up some fabric samples (needed to match our jib sail cover). Once there, we got to wandering, and talked with a dinghy repair shop about replacing a valve in our dinghy. We arranged to bring it over the next day (Tuesday), so we brought Deeper Season in, anchored briefly and zipped into shore. One thing led to another, and before we knew it we were rowing back in a loaner dinghy, having left ours for some patching work. We moved into the mooring field to make the rowing distance more manageable and (because Tuesday was between boat shows) got one right off the center of Annapolis - a place known as "Ego Alley."

So, for the past few days we've had a front row seat, watching all the power boats come in. And in the midst of all these huge boats, we've also watched the local sailing teams come out to practice. What a parade! Here are some favorite pics!



The intrepid sailors!



Our Favorite Future Boat!

 








This one is immense!



A More Typical Offering







 












The Fun Begins - Steamed Crabs at Cantler's in Annapolis

Yum!

A short day with a boost from the tide, and we had an early dinner at Cantler's, a very famous place in Annapolis for steamed crabs, We think they're the best we've tasted. Tomorrow we'll stay put, take the dinghy into downtown Annapolis to the boat show, and get our shopping list taken care of. Should be another nice day - one more before the clouds come in on Tuesday. Starting to unwind, at last!

In the Chesapeake!

An early start - just as the sun came up - and although the water was like glass all day (thank goodness) we fought the current the whole day. It was a long one - we originally planned to stop short of the C&D Canal, but managed to get there by 4 PM, so we pressed on. We finally anchored at just before 8 PM under a nearly full moon, in the Bohemia River just south of the C&D entrance on the Chesapeake side. So, about 13 hours underway, the whole time trying to navigate to the shallowest waters to reduce the effects of the current.

At peace!

Now snugly ensconced in our cabin, fortified by wine, hot food and electronic access to the world (note pix of Bill with his IPhone.) Tomorrow is an easy day to Annapolis, for some crabs at Cantlers, and a visit to the boat show on Monday. Life is good!

(PS - yesterday's blog incorrectly said Kammerman's marina was in Cape May. It's in Atlantic City, and we heartily recommend it.)

Back in Business and in Cape May

Blue sky and white sails!

Kammerman's Marina in Cape May was a real find. They gave us their "old" diesel rate of 387.9 even though the new tank cost them 15 cents more per gallon. They hooked us up with a mechanic who could help us right away, and they even had a windlass in stock (although we didn't buy it, because the mechanic felt it would not be sufficient for our boat.) At any rate, we got our windlass problem fixed, cleaned the boat of its 7-week filth build-up, and still got away early enough to make it to Cape May. Who says we're not lucky? Another beautiful day, with helpful winds, and a gorgeous sunset. Tomorrow, as far as we can get up the Delaware Bay, given that we'll be fighting tides and winds. Oh well. It won't be raining, so we won't complain!

Headed South!

Coming into AC

After far too long at her mooring, Deeper Season finally took to the seas again yesterday. We're headed south! We left Raritan Yacht Club just before sunrise (6:25 AM), enjoyed a gorgeous day of blue skies, calm seas and just enough wind from the northwest to speed us along. At about 6 PM we headed into Atlantic City inlet, and made our way to a beautiful anchorage in Brigantine.


Anchor down!

 All seemed well (except for a little bickering between the two on board about where to drop the hook in order to best see the sunset) until we went to lower the anchor and found our windlass wasn't working. The anchor line was stuck, but Bill managed to get it freed up, and he manually set the anchor just before dark.


Bill on cleaning duty

 It was a totally calm night, in a totally protected anchorage, so no problem. This morning it was a trial getting it up, but we did it (I washed, Bill pulled). We are now over at Kemmerer's in Atlantic City, where they just happened to have a mechanic coming in to work on somone else's windlass this morning. We're keeping fingers crossed he can get us back in shape. Meanwhile, we fueled up, watered up, pumped out, and gave the boat a quick wash.
It's only 4 hours to Cape May, so we may yet get there today. Boats!