Passage from Whitehouse Cove Marina, Poquoson, VA - Tidewater Yacht Marina, Portsmouth, VA. 36 miles (31 Nautical Miles)

Ok, it’s sort of day 2 & 3 of the cruise as it’s the day we actually got underway. So, it was too windy to move on Monday.
So, on Monday, as we waited for the cold front to pass, we cleaned Liquid Therapy. We don’t know how boats get so dirty sitting in the water. At this marina our boat is very close to the parking lot and dust from cars, dirt from lawn mowers / leaf blowers from the grounds end up on our boat. So, since we couldn’t move - we cleaned.

Day 3 we got underway after the wind died in the morning. Our cruise is to the south. But leaving our marina Bennett Creek and the Poquoson River lead us north to the York River where we go easterly into the Chesapeake Bay and then head south. It is actually 10 miles of distance before we actually cross our starting latitude and actually get going south.

We pass Langley, Buckroe and Fort Monroe while in the Chesapeake. Then we cross the very busy Hampton Roads area with military, commercial as well as the snow bird boats heading south. The radio is alive with lots to pay attention to. The USS San Antonio (LPD 17) is getting underway ahead of us and is trying to clear vessels from getting too close. Some answer the radio and get out of the way. Many do not answer. I’m sure it is very concerning to the San Antonio. There is usually a small patrol boat that will intercept anyone too close or in the way. I only hear the San Antonio on my radio as it is out of my sight.
In Hampton Roads the rushing outgoing tidal flow has Liquid Therapy down to making only 3.4 knots. I really like to get across this busy section and over to the far side of the Elizabeth River channel. But, today is going to be slow. My Automatic Identification System (AIS) screen shows a commercial ship coming and even though I cannot see it yet I know I will not be able to traditionally meet the ship with my port side to the ship’s port side as I’d have to cross the ship’s bow. That is never a good idea. This sets me up to meet starboard to starboard. That’s ok, except it puts me closer to the 3 aircraft carriers docked at the naval base than I should probably approach. No vessel calls me and after meeting the cargo ship I move over to the proper side of the Elizabeth River channel. The Elizabeth River is active with a ship being loaded with coal, another cargo ship getting underway, an active dredge operation and tugs moving small barges and assisting ships. It is quite a lot to take in with the eyes.
We contact Tidewater Yacht Marina on the radio and get good guidance instructions to our transient slip. The dock hand helps us get tied up and we chat with the boat next to us. The guy is from New Zealand. You meet people from everywhere when cruising.
We dined at the marina’s restaurant. Susan had flounder tacos and I had rockfish tacos. Both excellent.
Today’s picture is the three aircraft carriers in port.