Tuesday, 9/26/23 ~ Still Here on Kent Island, MD
Yesterday was spent doing our final prep. Last minute food items, mail, car fuel tank topped off, new lottery ticket for the next 10 weeks. The enclosure is up. The cockpit cleaned. Electronics have been checked and charged. Our goodbyes shared with our few dock mates and the marina staff.
Wednesday, 9/27/23 ~ Castle Harbor Marina, Kent Island to Solomons, MD
A quick check on Marine Traffic once again showed lots of snowbirds were once again on the move. We are part of this flock, but most remain out of our sight. However, I did spot our first dolphins in a pod near the mouth of the Yorktown River.
Once at Salt Ponds Marina, we had the same dockhand we had in the spring. It’s sad. He still doesn’t know how to secure lines to cleats or hook up the electrical. I’m glad we always fine tune the docking.
Cool decorations I found while walking Tillie
Saturday, 9/30/23 ~ Hampton Rhodes to Great Bridge Lock, VA
HMS PRINCE OF WALES
Unique sights ~ a PINK container ship and lots of RR locomotives sitting on the dock 
The Corps of Engineers building and a cruise ship preparing to depart
At the Glimerton Bridge, we had a short wait due to a transiting train. The 2 other sailboats had been waiting over an hour. (We have felt their pain on previous trips!) We took it slow to locks knowing that at cruising speed, 7 mph, we would have a 30-minute wait for the next southbound opening. As we got closer to the lock, we were passed by 2 barges. That was highly unusual. We never heard the notification of the close. Might the lock opening be delayed due to high water and affecting the commercial traffic (as well as others)? With the passage of the second tug and barge, the locks remained open for south-bound traffic. . .all 3 sailboats. This is the first time neither of the lock masters came to offer docking assistance. The 3 of us secured ourselves, then waited 20 minutes for the locks to close. As we were watching the north end of the lock, we noticed that there are now 2 sets of lock gates. There is substantial damage just outside of the northern lock. Perhaps it was a major incident that caused both damages.
We cleared the lock around 3:40 and tried to check dock availability on the south dock, but couldn’t see. Since there was still space on the north side of the bridge, all 3 of us docked there for the night. I, and a number of our dock mates, helped SV REJECA to the dock. Since we talked between our boats while in the lock, I introduced myself to Stacy & Justin. They are bringing the new-to-them 38-ft Island Packet back to Washington, NC from Wisconsin. Shared info with them and, since we will both be in Coinjock tomorrow, we made a date to meet for dinner. I called the restaurant. Couldn’t reserve for dinner seating as we were less than 6, but I was able to reserve 4-First Mate (14oz) Prime Ribs for dinner.
The only other traffic through the bridge and lock was a single cabin cruiser heading north. That was the final traffic for the entire night. 
The sun finally came out for about 40 minutes before the clouds tool over again. When I went to walk Tillie for her last walk of the day, the moon was peaking through some clouds and the air was still. I great photo to end the day.
Pretty ending to today!
Today: 65 miles 8.6 hours S/M - na -
Total: 65 miles 8.6 hours
Tillie was walked, engine started, dock lines were removed, and we were underway by 7:44 am. Skies were overcast, winds out of the NE at 12, and temps remained in the low 60’s. After a short wait, we passed through the Kent Narrows bridge with the current. Hit 9.1 mph! We are very grateful that the enclosure is up. It is still tricky to secure as it is as made for the former dodger & Bimini. Without zippers on the new canvas, the entire enclosure is help up with painters clips. Sun came out, winds decreased, wave action lessened about halfway through our travels today. 
There were lots of snow birds are scattered over the bay. They were probably all hunkered down waiting for the winds to become manageable. This is surely the first wave. The next wave comes after the Annapolis Boat Show. It is a great opportunity to get ideas and items to make the cruising life easier.
Views of Sharps Lighthouse, Solomons from the water and Solomons on land
Thursday, 9/28/23 ~ Solomons, MD to Fleets Bay, Deltaville, VA
Departed at 7:45 with temp at 59 with winds continuing out of the NE at 10. Clouds were coming in and as we headed out the Pautuxet River with 4 other boats. We could see rains to the East. As we made the turn, we could see more rain to our South. We seemed to chase the rains as we only had a few spritzes. Once southbound, we had a good push from the ebbing current. The 10-12 mph winds were coming to our port aft quarter, creating a bit of a rocky ride. Closer to the Potomac, winds increased to about 15 and the longer fetch with the incoming tide created slightly larger waves. We were able to motorsail with our main on a broad reach. Our speeds ranged from 8.5-9 mph with the outgoing current, to 7-8 mph once it turned. The rough wave action sent printer, computer monitor and other loose items to floor. It also broke the helms seat and sent Pete flailing to stabilize himself. He didn’t fall but thinks he sprained his arch in the left foot. He was able to clean ip the mess down below before I could take the photo. We will wait to test the printer and monitor as we shouldn't need them for a while.
Snow bird traffic that we could see was light. Commercial traffic was also lighter than other trips; a car carrier, cargo, a tug with a large barge full of containers, and a strange yellow tanker. We spotted our 1st pelican just north of the Potomac. There were none to be seen near Solomons, where they are usually spotted.
North winds increased and we were almost into the Fleets Bay anchorage. It is very exposed to today’s north winds. The decision was made to headed south for the next 1 1/2 hours to the much better, protected Deltaville anchorage. As we were returning to the bay, I saw about a 4-foot pink fish jump out of the water about 4 feet! Pete said it was a Red Fish that’s good eatin’. We dropped anchor around 5 and were very thankful for the mild rocking.
Friday 9/29/23 ~ Deltaville to Salt Pond, Hampton Rhodes, VA
We woke to fog, cold (64 degrees) and winds of 12-15 and increasing. By the time we departed, the fog had disbursed, but the air was cold and raw. The winds and fetch increased the waves to 5-6 feet. With it quartering from our port aft, it was a rough ride. Fruits and veggies went sliding across the counter. With a few being unlucky and hitting the floor. Thank heavens for the styrofoam lap desk was perfect to wedge things in place on the counter. Our cruising speed was closer to 7 mph due to incoming currents and opposing winds.
Tillie was walked, engine started, dock lines were removed, and we were underway by 7:44 am. Skies were overcast, winds out of the NE at 12, and temps remained in the low 60’s. After a short wait, we passed through the Kent Narrows bridge with the current. Hit 9.1 mph! We are very grateful that the enclosure is up. It is still tricky to secure as it is as made for the former dodger & Bimini. Without zippers on the new canvas, the entire enclosure is help up with painters clips. Sun came out, winds decreased, wave action lessened about halfway through our travels today. Marine Traffic shows the snowbird activity mid-Bay -->
We arrived at Zhanisers around 4:15. I took Tillie for a walk and took few photos. Considerable changes have occurred in the 20 +years we have been coming to Solomons. There are a lot of charming, new cottage homes near the marina. Unfortunately, my phone battery died. Pete was still working, but gave into Tillie’s nudging about a hour after we returned from the first walk. She really needed the 2nd walk.
Views of Sharps Lighthouse, Solomons from the water and Solomons on land
Zanhizers became part of the Safe Harbors organization about 3 years ago. Since then it has new floating docks and wide alleyways. It is so much easier to dock than with the old fixed docks with narrow fairways and angled slips. This evening, we had electrical problems with the circuit breakers tripping twice. The marina is aware of the issues and is working on the problem. Thankfully, there were no other issues after dinner.
Today: 72 miles 9.8 hours S/M - na -
Total: 137 miles 18.4 hours
 |
| Smith Lighthouse |
North winds increased and we were almost into the Fleets Bay anchorage. It is very exposed to today’s north winds. The decision was made to headed south for the next 1 1/2 hours to the much better, protected Deltaville anchorage. As we were returning to the bay, I saw about a 4-foot pink fish jump out of the water about 4 feet! Pete said it was a Red Fish that’s good eatin’. We dropped anchor around 5 and were very thankful for the mild rocking.
Friday 9/29/23 ~ Deltaville to Salt Pond, Hampton Rhodes, VA
Today: 42 miles 6.5 hours S/M - na -
Total: 179 miles 24.9 hours
 |
| Wolftrap Light House |
Entering Salt Ponds
Once at Salt Ponds Marina, we had the same dockhand we had in the spring. It’s sad. He still doesn’t know how to secure lines to cleats or hook up the electrical. I’m glad we always fine tune the docking.
Cool decorations I found while walking Tillie
It was another early night. Dealing with the sea states and weather conditions can take its toll.
Saturday, 9/30/23 ~ Hampton Rhodes to Great Bridge Lock, VA
Today: 30 miles 5.9 hours S/M 12.3
Total: 209 miles 30.8 hours
Pete had a rough night. When the seat failed in rough seas, he sprained his arch. Of course, many other body parts were letting him know that they had been abused. It was difficult to find a comfortable position for sleeping.
It was a cool (65 degrees), raw, morning. Winds still out of the North at 15 mph with heavy intermittent drizzle. We topped off water, checked on Windy and called Great Bridge Lock.“Yes,” they will be closing again for high water due to the north winds, rains, and the king tides. It has been a strange weather pattern all week due to the remnants of Ophelia remaining stationary off the mid-Atlantic coast.
Approaching Norfolk, we heard a very proper voice from HMS PRINCE OF WHALES aircraft carrier as they were coming in to dock at the naval base. Even though it is Saturday, Norfolk is still sounded very active this morning. We heard 3 warships, at least 4 tugs, 5 container ships, 1 tanker, 1 British war ship and lots of snowbirds over the radio.
It was a cool (65 degrees), raw, morning. Winds still out of the North at 15 mph with heavy intermittent drizzle. We topped off water, checked on Windy and called Great Bridge Lock.“Yes,” they will be closing again for high water due to the north winds, rains, and the king tides. It has been a strange weather pattern all week due to the remnants of Ophelia remaining stationary off the mid-Atlantic coast.
Approaching Norfolk, we heard a very proper voice from HMS PRINCE OF WHALES aircraft carrier as they were coming in to dock at the naval base. Even though it is Saturday, Norfolk is still sounded very active this morning. We heard 3 warships, at least 4 tugs, 5 container ships, 1 tanker, 1 British war ship and lots of snowbirds over the radio.
Once on the Elizabeth River, amazingly, there was almost no traffic - commercial or private.
HMS PRINCE OF WALES
US Carrier with an F-22 Looking upriver towards the rain
Unique sights ~ a PINK container ship and lots of RR locomotives sitting on the dock
The Corps of Engineers building and a cruise ship preparing to depart
There is an aircraft carrier behind the curtain, plus a landing craft and heavy tug
Strange to see a barge half sunk
At the Glimerton Bridge, we had a short wait due to a transiting train. The 2 other sailboats had been waiting over an hour. (We have felt their pain on previous trips!) We took it slow to locks knowing that at cruising speed, 7 mph, we would have a 30-minute wait for the next southbound opening. As we got closer to the lock, we were passed by 2 barges. That was highly unusual. We never heard the notification of the close. Might the lock opening be delayed due to high water and affecting the commercial traffic (as well as others)? With the passage of the second tug and barge, the locks remained open for south-bound traffic. . .all 3 sailboats. This is the first time neither of the lock masters came to offer docking assistance. The 3 of us secured ourselves, then waited 20 minutes for the locks to close. As we were watching the north end of the lock, we noticed that there are now 2 sets of lock gates. There is substantial damage just outside of the northern lock. Perhaps it was a major incident that caused both damages.
We cleared the lock around 3:40 and tried to check dock availability on the south dock, but couldn’t see. Since there was still space on the north side of the bridge, all 3 of us docked there for the night. I, and a number of our dock mates, helped SV REJECA to the dock. Since we talked between our boats while in the lock, I introduced myself to Stacy & Justin. They are bringing the new-to-them 38-ft Island Packet back to Washington, NC from Wisconsin. Shared info with them and, since we will both be in Coinjock tomorrow, we made a date to meet for dinner. I called the restaurant. Couldn’t reserve for dinner seating as we were less than 6, but I was able to reserve 4-First Mate (14oz) Prime Ribs for dinner.
The only other traffic through the bridge and lock was a single cabin cruiser heading north. That was the final traffic for the entire night.
Pretty ending to today!
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