Onward into the Chesapeake
06 May 2010 | Entrance to Chesapeake Bay
Mike
Just passed through Hampton Roads in Norfolk and into the Chesapeake, heading for Worton Creek. For the past 12 hours, we have witnessed everything the U.S. Navy can use to elicit shock and awe from our hapless enemies - well, maybe except for Somali pirates in patched-up pontoon boats. Last night, in the ICW, it was Navy fighter jock school as FA-18's flew 500 feet over us about every 45 seconds for several hours. Just the noise would be enough to make me surrender. This morning we passed through the Navy base in Norfolk, with a carrier group in port, and more arriving. We were approached by a military boat and told to stand off 500 yards from the submarine coming in. There was a helicopter dipping sonar devices as the ships arrived. Another carrier arrived after we had gone by. The most exciting thing was being hailed on the radio by a guided-missile frigate - we were the "dark-hulled sailboat". Of course, they were telling us to get out of the way, but it was still exciting. The picture here is classified top-secret. If the Navy knew I had taken that picture, I would have to be keel-hauled. I suppose it is the latest in stealth technology, but it showed up just fine on our cheap-ass civilian radar. This ship has given us several ideas for some enhancements on Road Less Traveled. The wind is clocking to the north, which is not great news, but we have plenty of time to get up Chesapeake Bay. I'd like to thank Chip for identifying all the military hardware we saw. Roger that, Mike