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http://picasaweb.google.com/dilass9
One week, two nor'easters and the Summer Wind was able to finally leave Solomon's area. Early Tuesday morning we rose with enthusiasm to finally be heading for warmer weather. The sun was shining and the Chesapeake was much calmer then she had been for the past week. Early afternoon we tied up at the Regatta Point marina in Deltaville,VA and both of us went to work. The laundry was tended to and various chores on the Summer Wind needed to be addressed and a trip to the local West Marine. We made great use from being docked at a marina, but by the time night came we snuggled down to watch a movie and fell asleep!
Wednesday October 21, we headed back down the Chesapeake and joined the long train of cruising boats. As we were passing sailboats and powerboats, we were waving, and received the same jubilance and smiles from other cruisers who also had been delayed. At the mouth of the Chesapeake river, we came upon a warship that we later learned was returning from deployment in Afghanistan. Hampton, Va ,our destination that day was also the home of Hampton University noted for the first black college of the United States. This area is enriched with history from the Revolutionary war, the British war, the beheading of Blackbeard and the emancipation of black slaves. Our stop was the city pier which was a free night that we received at the Annapolis boat show. Upon walking the docks we came upon a couple on their boat Ginny C that we had past a few times. We started chatting and the next thing you know we're heading out to dinner together. Thank you Chris and Ginny for a delightful evening.
Portsmouth was our next destination but before leaving we found fuel at an "economical" $2.24/gallon. So we fueled up and headed up the Elizabeth river to the Portsmouth basin. This is a great stop for us because we had the chance to meet our friends Barb and Sam Shakespeare for a wonderful dinner.We were able to see Portsmouth's historical district and enjoy Norfolk's waterfront. We visited Nauticus which is a Nautical museum which displayed a tribute to the life of Carl Brashear and USS Wisconsin. For those of you that don't know, Carl Brashear was the first black deep sea navy diver and earned the rank of Master Chief. He not only broke the racial barrier but lost the bottom of his limb and returned to active duty as a disabled diver. His record of servitude was inspiring, impeccable and honorable. If you'd like to learn more about Carl Brashear we suggest you rent the movie "Men of Honor".
Our next leg of our journey took us down the Dismal Swamp. We had read and heard so many wonderful things about the scenery from fellow cruisers who had 'done the ditch'.The ditch had to be completed in two days since there are two locks which only have 3 hour scheduled openings. In the first lock, we were able to sit and chat for about a half hour before the opening. Wow, this lock was nothing like the Erie Canal. The doors slightly open and the water rushes in and the Summer Wind was of course up front by the doors so needless to say we were surfing! After the first lock there is a lift bridge that the lock master also has to drive down to lift. So all the boats sat patiently waiting for the 'bridge tender/lock master to open the bridge. We wonder how many people in automobiles would have this type of patience. The Dismal Swamp was absolutely beautiful, the leaves were just starting to change to their autumn colors. We crossed the North Carolina state line and came upon the welcome center. This is a state park that provides free dockage which is long enough for four good size boats, however 'rafting' is expected. By the time night came we were four boats long and three boats wide. There were two catamarans 23 feet wide in our group. It made for a very interesting night with meeting new cruisers.
Early the next morning as soon as one person started to untie it seemed that most of the boats decided to leave. Of course that made an interesting wait at the next timed bridge and the second lock. This lock was somewhat small and we didn't think we were going to fit because each side was full. But lo and behold we rafted inside the lock. We were a little nervous about being tied to a sailboat in the lock, but the lock tender took his time lowering us back down the 8 feet, we hardly noticed. Our destination that day was Elizabeth City. Click on the video below or use the link to see full view, believe it or not, we're being lowered. http://picasaweb.google.com/dilass9
Elizabeth City offers 14 free slips for the night, no electric but there is water. The talk over the radio was whether the slips would be open or would we all be anchoring out for the night because the weather was deteriorating and the next body of water was Albermarle Sound which could be nasty. Well we arrived at the docks and everyone found a slip. We stayed there 2 days in rain, wind, and cold. We hardly noticed because we were busy doing laundry again and our friends Mike and Jane came with their son and we all went out to a great Tex-Mex dinner. The following day the townsfolk gave all the boaters a wine and cheese party with roses for the ladies. This is a lovely tradition carried on by the town in honor of Fred Fearing who did it all the time. He passed away 2 years ago.
So next is Albermarle sound so stay tuned........
It is now Saturday, October 17 and we are anchored in Solomon Islands and have been for 6 days!
