08/31/2009, Annapolis,MD
Will this is Norma after fifteen months in the water. The staining on the white part of the hull near the bottom is why I am raising the water line. That should provide a bit more protection. Also, as you can see, her bottom paint looks a little tired.
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08/28/2009, Annapolis, MD
Well, from what I was hearing, the NWS was predicting that Danny would remain off shore for the time being so I went. I was up and off at 0600 this morning.
The weather was unsettled to say the least. According to you-know-who, there was a stalled warm front in the area, an approaching cold front and several thunderstorms wandering around in every direction. I could see lightning on western horizon as I left the dock and, as I left the Patuxent River, I watched a brilliant RED sunrise. ("Red sky at morning, sailor take warning")
Most of the trip up the Chesapeake was overcast, drizzly and windy. Fortunately, the wind was on my starboard beam for most of the trip and I was
able to motorsail for most of the day and average nearly 7 knots. About half way through the trip, the Coast Guard began broadcasting "Warnings to Mariners" regarding severe weather in the area with the closing admonition to "seek safe harbor immediately" if you were in the path of the storm. (I hate it when they say that....You try seeking safe harbor immediately when you're more than five nautical miles from land in any direction and your maximum speed is about 7 knots)
For most of the day, the areas mentioned did not happen to be where I was at the time. As I was arriving in Annapolis, that changed. I had no more than passed the Thomas Point lighthouse when the next weather advisory included that location as being in the path of a severe thunderstorm. (Swell!)
This particular storm hit right as I was getting tied up at my marina, which made my arrival a little more exhilirating than I would have liked, but no harm done. Anyway, I got checked in and Norma is scheduled to be hauled out on Monday. My plan is to post updates regarding the work, complete with pictures.
Here's a picture from the trip up.
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08/27/2009, Solomons Island, MD
Well, the National Weather Service (you KNOW I love 'em!) is having a little trouble making up their collective mind what Danny's gonna do. In any scenario, it doesn't look like its gonna get this far north before Saturday afternoon at the earliest. Consequently, I'm going to hot foot it to Annapolis tomorrow morning.
Here's another Virginia bridge picture for you. Sorry, I didn't take any new ones today.
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08/26/2009, Solomons Island, MD
Well, I arrived in Solomons Island, Maryland today after a beautiful sail. I had great winds from the right direction and I decided to forgive the National Weather Service. Until I heard about Tropical Storm Danny!
They're saying it could be a hurricane by the weekend and, naturally, its heading my way. Grumble Grumble Grumble........
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08/25/2009, Reedville, VA
I was up and out of the anchorage at 0620 this morning. While going through Hampton Roads, one of the busiest seaways in the world, I met a nuclear submarine coming in. I, of course, gave him the right-of-way. I would have, even without the Coast Guard broadcasting a warning on the radio that any vessels venturing within 500 yards of the sub would be subject to "use of force." I decided I didn't want to find out exactly what that meant.
I passed though Hampton Roads and entered the Chesapeake Bay. The weather forcast for this part of the Chesapeake was for S/E winds at 3 knots, gusting to 8. Sounds nice doesn't it? I'm sure it would have been. Instead, I found 20 knots of wind out of the NNE, which put it right on my nose. Unfortunately this made for a bumpy and wet ride.
The winds eventually moderated but stayed on my nose all day. I made it to Reedville, VA and tied up at the Reedville Marina. Here's a picture of the sub.....taken from over 500 yards away of course!
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08/24/2009, Norfolk, VA
Well, after fuelling up, I left Coinjock and continued north. As I went along, the scenery changed from swampland to evergreen forrests. I also began to encounter lots of opening bridges and had to factor their opening schedules into my plans. Despite a few hiccups, I made to to Norfolk without incident and anchored at Hospital Point on the Elizabeth River. Here's one of the bridges.
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