Tuesday October 25th
We got off the dock at Jay and Ginny’s around 8 am. had a great sailing day. Saw a navy submarine coming down the bay who thought they owned the bay. Had a coast guard boat come up behind us and stayed off our stern for about 2 minutes. He had is big gun man in the front of the boat. Was kinda silly, but would have not been silly if they had fired that big gun at us. Went into solomons island and got a free pump out and water at sandy cover marina on back creek. Then went into mill creek and collapsed. Got it together and made dinner with Ginny’s delicious leftovers (thank you Ginny)
Wednesday October 26, 2011
Heard ding ding, ding ding so knew it was 6 oclock. Waited a bit to see if any sun light but then just got up. Kirk asked if this was the butt crack of dawn as I had been saying we needed to leave early as today was supposed to be a perfect sailing day. Key words are “supposed to be” Just like the weather people on tv the weather bouys also lie. We left solomons with one reef in the main and quickly changed that to 3 reefs in both sails as the winds were steady at 25 - 28 with gusts to 32, but the seas were the real ride. Our clean waxed boat (thank you Jay and Ginny) was baptized with salt water over and over again as were we. Nothing like nice cold bay water in the face. Wind pushed the waves and the boat and made for up and crash down only to get hit again. Not to mention that both the wind and the waves were coming from where we wanted to go. So it was a lot of hard sailing for about 6 hours and then at the mouth of the Potomac (where it usually is rough) things calmed down. The inside of the boat looked like someone had shaken it like a rag doll. Kirk stowed a lot of stuff while underway but not before havoc reeked in the boat. There was pepper everywhere from the pepper shaker flying all over the place. Talk about sneezing. We came in the Wicomico river to cockrell creek up to Reedville. They process menhaden fish here and whoweeee when the wind is not in the right direction it is very smelly. We had a really nice dinner at the only place open and learned a new name. we were asked if we were “boat people” maybe by the way we looked or because it is such a small town and everyone at the restaurant knew one another. Anyway boat people we is. Funny how this boat can make you so miserable when the conditions are bad and then when you finally get it all cleaned up and you take a quick shower it provides you with such comfort.
Thursday, October 27.2011
Once again, all the weather information was way off. As we headed out of the creek and into the mouth of the Wicomico River, we discussed what to do with the sails. I suggested 2 reefs as I was remembering yesterday and Kirk being the good guy that he is obliged me and put the main at two reefs. Boy were we glad we did. The conditions were worse than yesterday. The waves were 4 – 5 and breaking over the bow of the boat and we had to stay clear of fishing areas so we were not at a good angle for the wind blown waves breaking over the bow of the boat, another baptism we worked hard and made some progress all the while watching and dodging freighters who were heading right at us till they turned on the red mark. Problem was a couple did not turn right away and therefore we had to change course which meant a tack in 25 knot winds with 5 foot seas. I learned a lesson on sheeting in such strong conditions. Scary but we made it through. We then flew on the next tack up to over 9 knots. Too much sail up and conditions were making it very hard to bring sail down. Decision was made to leave main up. Roll in the genoa and motor sail with the main so we could control the boat. We did do a much better job of stowing and the cabin was not a mess which was a blessing. I did come down and check it out in the beginning and stowed a few more items. We made it to mobjack bay and anchored in the east river waiting for the weather to show it’s hand. Again both were exhausted. Sailing is hard work.
Friday, October 28, 2011
After a slow morning (which was delightful not to be sailing at 7:30 am) kirk decided it would be best to weather the weather in Norfolk. So off we headed across the bay for Little Creek just inside the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel. At first we thought this was not going to be so bad, but then the same ole big seas and gusty winds were with us. The ride was not as bad as the previous days, partly cause I think we knew it should only take about 4 hours to motor to our destination. We did not see much traffic until we were almost to our channel and then here comes a freighter. Was hard to see with the rain but we had to alter course to stay clear. While watching for the freighter I saw a porpoise right next to the boat. Kirk said that was good luck. Then low and behold it looks like two boats coming out of no where in front of the freighter. Couldn’t figure out what they were doing in the channel. Uuppsss it was another submarine. I have never seen a submarine in my life and now I see 2 in 4 days. Then we got to listen to the sub calling out to all the other big ships and any other boat that was near it. We were wondering what was going on with helicopters flying around all morning but thought it was navy seals practicing as their training base is across the creek from where we are tied. I guess they were working with the submarine as well. kirk saw another porpoise as we were coming in and again said that was a sign of good luck. so here we are all nice and tied to the floating dock waiting for the nasty weather.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Restless night last night as the winds and the shrouds were making the boat shake and that was a little discerning. Kirk and I were both up at 4 and I asked him if it was time to get up and he told me no!!! go back to bed and get some sleep. Was a lovely lazy morning not having to get up and go. We rented a car, got some groceries, went out to eat lunch which was lovely. The weather here is “blowing like stink” as kirk would say. Kirk busy investigating bildge water and I started a stew and working on an upgrade so I can get email and laundry. Both the laundry and upgrade are at the marina office. stew and laundry turned out well. partial success on email. Will have to go back to marina office for wifi to finish downloading all email and to send out email.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Finally can see some blue sky. Cold but blue. Met some interesting people yesterday while sitting at the laundry room. Kirk has been working hard on the bilges being detective as to where the water comes from. We have played gin at night. Of course kirk is winning. Feel badly for all the snowtober peeps back home. Cold here in port bunk this am. 55 degrees. Could not get my feet warm so I got up and made hot tea. Boy how you learn to appreciate the simple things. Did I mention the sea gulls that are here? Must be 1,000 or so. We keep chasing them off our part of the pier cause it is like walking through a mine field. Also the boat has been a target of these dirty birds. Kirk said he heard one land on the boat at 2 am and got up and chased it off. I was sawing logs. I am sure I look like a Halloween character shooing them off the pier by our boat. Today was a great day as kirk (along with my help of course) figured out the bilge problem and then after two trips to hardware store and west marine it should be under control. I got two pairs of boat shoes at west marine (on sale of course) so that was a deal for me. I have been waiting to purchase, but after slipping on the steps due to the salt water everywhere in the big seas even while wearing my sea boots, I decided that a good pair of boat shoes would be in everyone’s best interest. Kirk (the GREAT problem solver) has been hard at work solving problems with the boat. We hope to move to the original marina on Tuesday and have wifi on the boat. I did (with Bob Swarm’s help) finally get this good ole computer to connect to the wireless printer so that makes Kirk happy cause we can now print weather faxes when we are in the ocean via all the technology that he has learned about, purchased and installed. I of course printed a picture of the family at Christian and Elizabeth’s wedding. We all have our priorities. I will tape it to the micro which has become the new “frig” for pics. HA
Monday, October 31, 2011
Happy Halloween we are working on email and will work on the sail later this afternoon when it gets warmer. May even have to get out the ole sewing machine. The sail had way too much damage for me to sew. Kirk found a sail maker about 15 minutes away. Such a blessing. This guy was the real deal. He designs and makes sails. He was very chatty and I learned a great deal about sails. Really nice person. Funny, I guess people are used to transient sailors around here as we have been asked “are you transients?” tomorrow is stow stuff away in the boat, maybe buy me a new computer maybe not, work on getting a blog set up and who knows what else will show up. Is hysterical that by 7:30 we are both exhausted and ready for bed. Kirk did not sleep well last night with allergies, but I have no excuse. He is still beating me 90% of the time in
Gin. We need to find a new card game. Hopefully the winds will not be strong and we can move the boat over to another marina where we will have wifi connection.
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