Left Ocean City, MD about 2:30 PM on Sunday and began our overnight trip to Norfolk, VA. Put up the main, mizzen and jib, only to be going 3 kts so, we motor sailed. Timing was everything, we wanted to make the the Cheasapeake Bay entrance at dawn, and we needed to be traveling at least 5 kts an hour to meet our goal. We had 114 nm to cover and the forcast for Tuesday on was not good. Our weather window was present and we needed to make time. Had a beautiful sunset, light and variable winds, and after the sun went down it was dark, pitch black dark. Couldn't even see the ocean midship, could hear it but, not see anything. It was erry to hear loons on our passage. Waves were one foot or less. It was cold, the low 30's and we did 30 minute shifts at the helm so we could stay warm. The time passed quickly. The stars were out and we were glad when the moon appeared about 12:30 AM. The radar worked fine and all the lighted sea buoys appeared as a blimp. No traffic until we reached the entrance to the bay at dawn. Several Navy warships and container ships passes us as we made our way across the southern part of the Cheasapeake Bay. We arrived at Willoughby Bay Marina in Norfolk, VA about 12:30 PM on Monday. Exhausted and delighted we made such good time. Sleep was not a problem, we slept well.
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We enjoyed our own feast and put our oven to the test. I made pumpkin pie, turkey, stuffing, squash, potatoes, gravy and all the other good stuff. Mmm Mmm good! The Gale is still lingering offshore and lots of fronts are moving across the area. Hope to leave this weekend for Chicopetegue Inlet or a run to south shore of Cheasapeake Bay. Time will tell, another front is moving across Tuesday and we could be stuck somewhre another week. We are warm, in good spirits and well fed.
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Get a good night sleep and enjoy the dock
After much consideration, we decided to skip going North on Delaware Bay and South down the Cheasapeake Bay, and are taking the outside route to the southern Cheasapeake area. We had a great sail on the Atlantic, sailed with jib and jigger, averaging 5.9 kts. Put the main up for an hour or so, made good time 40 nm in about 8 hrs sailing except for in and out of the inlets. Radar being finicky again. Greg and technican worked on it again. Now we are waiting on the weather window. Once again we have fog, gales, and rain.
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Well, we were not able to leave the dock because of fog. The fog has hung around most of the day. Our radar hasn't been working. I took Newton for a two hour walk to the beach and through town. Since we are here we decded to call a tech to see about having our radar fixed. Tech will check things on Tuesday and there is a Gale Watch for Tuesday night and Wednesday, so we will probably be here awhile.
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Made it to Cape May, we still feel like we are rocking and rolling. Five to eight ft swells and the sun was shinning. Lots of fish traps and radio chatter. Tied up to South Jesey Marina. Hope to make the run part way up the Delaware Bay on Monday.
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Stay in touch. Tina
We are still here waiting for our weather window, it will be tomorrow. Started the engine and ran it for an hour. We hauled the dinghy and stowed it on the bow. We are ready to go. It has been an interesting stay here. Our second night here a captain knocked on our haul. He "lost" his boat in the dark and he was in an inflatable kayak. Therefore, Greg towed him to his vessel. He never did put an anchor light on. Our anchor held great with 120 ft of chain out during the 50 mph gusts of wind during the gale. Used the generator a lot and made a few runs for gas for the generator and gave Newt some romp time. We talked to other vessels anchored here on the radio. (Sophie, New Horizon, Last Navigator, Freedom Quest and Quinntessa) Thursday night about 3 AM Greg was awakened by the radio. Our neighbor was talking to the USCG and needed transportation to shore for a medical emergency. The CG did not understand he was the patient, the vessel was at anchor and he did not have strength to weigh anchor nor a dinghy to get ashore. Greg got on the radio and offered him a ride to shore where the ambulance met them. All ended well and when they returned Greg gave them a ride back to their boat the next evening.
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