Week 42 ~ Coinjock, VA to Solomons, MD

Sunday, 6/11/23 ~ Day 2 in Coinjock ~

     It was a clear and cool morning that turned into a beautiful, warm and smokey afternoon. I took advantage of the cool temps to defrost the refrigerator. Once that was emptied and defrosting, I headed over to do laundry. This is the first time in all our stops here that others were using the machines. Thankfully, the one I needed was available. Pete was working, so I was able to put away the laundry before heading to lunch.

     On my walks to and from the laundry, I noticed a lot of boat and car traffic coming to the marina. Many small fishing and pontoon boats docked not only for fuel, but for the Marina‘s Ship Store and the restaurant. The restaurant is very popular. I hope seats are available when we come over.

     Since it was closer to 2:30, we decided that this would be “linner” and headed over to eat outside on the covered patio. We had no problem getting a table. Pete has been looking forward to a hamburger, but due to it being Sunday, they only offer the dinner menu. No hamburgers except a a meatloaf on the dinner menu. We “settled” for delicious salads, seafood for him, salmon for me. Both were large salads with lots of fish and delicious homemade dressings, ranch on his and maple bacon vinaigrette on mine. Since this was a late lunch, dinner was a bowl of ice cream with dark chocolate morsels.

     Once back a the boat, while sitting in the cockpit, Chip, from SV ADAGIO, stopped by. He knows Sue and Terry (our friends from O Dock at Narrows Point Marina.) Since we are both traveling north tomorrow, he asked if we could let him know the height of the Pongo Ferry Bridge. We also chatted at length with the couple directly in front of us on the dock. They are just beginning their cruise south. No specific destination, just cruise while fun. Pete helped him with Bob423’s tracks.

Monday, 6/12/23 ~ Coinjock, NC to Great Bridge, VA
Today:          36 miles          6.2 hours          S/M 12.3
Total:      1864.3 miles      311.2 hours

    Today we were in no rush, but were on our way by 7:45. A number of the boats already departed before us. The skies are overcast and heavy, the fog is beginning to lift, temps in the mid 60’s with a raw, north wind at 10.

  

    Once again, we were able to use the main sail to motor across Currituck Sound. There was only one skinny area on the traverse that might a problem, but with high tide it was not a problem.

    As we approached Pongo Ferry Bridge, a large 65-footer power yacht caught up with us. Pete hailed him as to what his intentions were. We didn’t really get an answer. When requested again we received no answer. Pete continued towards the bridge. It looked as if the power yracht wanted to continue at speed even though we were about 150 feet from the bridge. Then he appeared to think better of it and slowed down. I took a picture of the day boards and sent the clearance to Chip as he has a tall rig and needs to make accommodations if his mast is close. He has a bladder that is filled and hangs off the boom extended over the water to help him tilt 10 degrees, so he has clearance.

    Once that was sent, we looked back once through the bridge, the yacht behind us was dancing sideways on the far side if the bridge. Shortly after, he complained over the radio that what we caused him to lose an engine. Pete told him, he needed to communicate as he was the burdened vessel. To that he had no response. Soon, he did pass us. We could hear his continued attitude with other boats and bridge tenders further up the ICW.

    There are usually a few opportunities to see turtles sunning themselves on rocks or downed trees. Today I only saw 2 small ones and not close by.

    The four north bound boats were waiting for the Centerville Bridge while there was also a south bound tug & barge and sail boat waiting just north of the bridge. After communications with the tug, we, 4 north bounders needed to stay close to the eastern shore until he passes us.

    The Great Bridge Locks have major electrical issues. They are using a generator for the lock functions and modified schedule, opening even hours only. This explains why the barge we encountered prior to entering the Alligator Pongo Canal on Saturday, was maintaining a slower than normal speed and passed Coinjock around 10:30. His timing was for the midnight opening.

    We slowly pulled up to the docks at Great Bridge. We had planned to be at the southern end, but once again, we had no reverse, so we drifted to the northern end.  Once docked, Pete went below to readjust the transmission. He remained down below working as I worked on the blog in the cockpit. I was interrupted and enjoyed speeking with a number of walkers. I did see a turtle right by the docks on a floating log and he didn’t mind staying still for a photo! Tillie really liked walking around this area. There was lots of goose poop that she wanted to sample. UGH! That made walking her a challenge.

     The storms did come, the skies darkend, and the rains fell, but then the sun returned. I had some great photo opportunities.  

 

 

  

 

    We stayed the night on the free dock. Reservations confirmed for Salt Pond for tomorrow. Dinner was one of our favorites, chicken fajitas. Since there was no wind, we couldn’t stay up above after dinner. Mosquitoes!

             

    When Pete walked Tillie before bed, he passed by the front of the museum, right here by the docks. They have stations along the waterfront with information on the December 9, 1775, Battle at Great Bridge early in the American Revolutionary War. I wished I had walked in that direction when I walked Tillie earlier.

Tuesday, 6/13/23 ~Great Bridge to Hampton, Salt Pond, MD
Today:          30 miles          6.5 hours          S/M: N/A
Total:      1894.3 miles      317.7 hours

 

We woke to their chirping

   Knowing traffic and bridge problems In Norfolk, we opted for the 10 am opening of the Locke. There were only 5 boats heading north through the lock. The last in line was a 50-foot Nordhaven, being towed by BoatUS.

    Once through the Locke, the power boats that were in front of us headed upriver at a good clip while we just continued our 7mph travel. Guess who we met at the RR #7 bridge over an hour later! The RR bridge has been in the down position for more 45 minutes. We waited another 25 minutes until a second train came through. We all cleared it and the Glimerton Bridge shortly before noon. Second RR Bridge, about a mile north of Glimerton was beginning its descension as we approached. They needed to slow, but we just maintained our speed.

Tour of the bridge, boat under tow and passing through and to the locke

 

Some of the painted herons along the bank leading to the locke

 

Our view once through the lock and onto the Elizabeth River

 

Industry along the water edge

  

An Island ferry and small tug on a barge

 
Sad death of a cruiser and an unsusal geodesic dome

Bridges, day boards, industry and ships ~

  

 Different types of bridges

 

 

Different uses of ships

  

Different ways of working on boats

 
Different classes of Naval distroyers and aircraft carriers

    Traffic through Norfolk just slightly less than norm. Towards the northern end of Elizabeth River, things were a bit busier: tugs turning around a cargo carrier; multiple tugs, with and without barges, military security patrols, 2 warships docking, a third approaching the base with no escorts. There were 6 aircraft carriers docked on the base. With them side-by-side, it was quite noticeable that there are 2 different size/designed carriers. The larger of which is known as Nimitz, while the Ford Class is newer, smaller, and more technology advanced.

    Once in Chesapeake, we were no longer on the ICW. We put up the main sail and took down aft name sign. The winds were kind and added an extra 2/10 to our speed.

   

No more aft name banner  ~~  Old Port Comfort Light, Hampton 

A barque sailing into Norfolk

    We pulled into Salt Pond around 3:30. We headed to the dock to top off fuel, and reverse failed, again. Thankfully, there were 3 people on the docks to catch lines. Once the tank was topped off, we slowly headed over to our assigned slip. Pete did great bring us in and my lassoing the cleats is improving. Once secure to the dock, we tipped our dock hand. When I went to fine tune the lines while Pete and Tillie settled the bill, I found dock hand didn’t have a clue as to tying up boats. He wrapped the lines multiple times around the cleat without ever a reverse to lock it. So glad I checked, adjusted, and corrected all lines.

    After dinner, I sat up in the cockpit hoping for a pretty sunset. Tonight there were no clouds.

Wednesday, 6/14/23 Hampton to Little Bay/Antipoison Creek, VA ~
Today:          49 miles          6.9 hours          S/M: N/A
Total:      1944.3 miles      324.6 hours

     We were away from the dock by 7:15am. Skies were partly cloudy with temps approaching 70. Once back on heading north, we were able to motor sail with current, cruising at 7.8-8. Winds were 12-15 from the SSE. As we crossed the Rappahannock River, the current changed and we were able to do 7.2 instead of 6 mph, thanks to the wind assist. Around this area, we spotted a large pod of dolphins. This year, they have been spotted in The Bay as far north as Middle River.
 

Wolf Trap Light

   It was surprising to see 21 ships in Cape Charles mooring field. This is the most we have ever seen while in this part of The Bay.

    I made reservations at Zahniser’s over Dockwa, but Pete followed up with a call to them requesting a mechanic check the transmission once we are dock. We plan to stay an extra day knowing that the repair will probably require it.

    Skies looked ominous, but nothing showed on radar as we turned off the bay to Fleets Bay around 4pm. We were one of 5 boats anchored among the many crab pots in this area. Without using reverse, only the wind, Pete said that the anchor is set, dug in about 4 feet. We are not going anywhere! The winds then fell to about 8. Hour later we had winds of18 with gusts to 31. Some of the land/sand that made up this spit on the peninsula has shrunk since the last time we were here. It has probably been 6 or 7 years. We won’t be exploring as Tillie will be using the pad onboard.

 

The vanishing shore line at mid tide

    Most of the clouds blew away by sunset. It wasn’t spectacular but still pretty.

 

    Interestingly, when entering today’s info into the log, the 30-mile trip from Great Bridge to Salt Pond, Hampton took 6.5 hrs. The 49 miles from Hampton to Little Bay took 6.9 hours, an additional 19 miles in less than 30 minutes! What a difference a straight shot with no bridge delays and no ship traffic!

Thursday, 6/15/23 ~ Little Bay to Solomons, MD ~
Today:          55 miles          9.3 hours          S/M: N/A
Total:      1998.3 miles      333.9 hours

    We were pleasantly surprised that Tillie let is sleep until 5:50 am. She didn’t go on the pad before bed last night, so we expected she wouldn’t make it through the night. It was a pretty sunrise, Tillie got settled and we had no problems pulling up the anchor, even it was dug in about 4 feet. We were away by 6:30!!! It is a much speedier process when Tillie doesn’t have to be walked. She uses the pad only when she had no choice.

    Skies were pretty clear, temps about 65 with and breezes from the NE at about 8. Current was mild and with us until we were midway through the Potomac. With the main sail up and the current with us, we were cruising at 7.2-7.8 mph, and that was into a 10-12 mph wind!

 

The fishing traps just north of the anchorage

    Spoke with Melissa. She and Mike are in St Michael’s for a show this weekend. We’ll meet them Saturday night for dinner at MRYC.

    There was a lot more shipping traffic, but it was in the channel. There were also a lot of sailboats also on the water.

    Three sailboats entered the Pawtuxet River and into Solomons together; a 42” Benateau, another 350, SV IF…, and us. It turns out, SV IF… is in the slip next to us and this is their maiden voyage on a new-to-them boat. Here at Zahniser’s, most of the new floating docks are in. What a difference! Slips and alleys are wider, making docking so much easier. Tillie couldn’t wait to get ashore. Pete worked for the next 2 hours. while I vegged out with a headache.

    During the dinner time walk, Pete was being jerked by Tillie when a runner saw them. He commented that he had 3 doodles named, “Breeze,” “Windy” and “Gale.” If he had Tillie, she would be named “Hurricane!” I love it!

    I walked Tillie around 9 and looked forward to bed. It has been a long day!

Friday, 6/16/23 ~ Day 2 at Solomons ~

    Tillie woke at 5:20 and was a nudge until we got up. I took her for a long walk all the way out to the point where the Chesapeake Biological Labs are located. It was a good 3-mile walk and Tillie did good for most of the walk. I was pretty sure that she would be exhausted and sleep the morning away. WRONG!!! She wanted to play after eating.

Cool sights on our walk to the Point ~  

  

  

Flowers, of course

   

 

Textures and colors

 

Architecture 

   

Great idea for parking 

 

  

. . . and of course, the sun emerging from the fog and clouds!

    Pete had already walked over to the work yard to get specifics as to when the mechanic might come for the transmission. Pete had called when I had made the reservations, telling the harbormaster that we needed to have the transmission looked at. We needed the mechanic late Thursday or early Friday. He said, “No problem.” Once we were secured in the slip yesterday, Pete reminded him that the mechanic was supposed to come. He answer again, was "no problem."  Needless to say, by 8:30 this morning, Pete was concerned. When he called the work yard, her first question was “did you fill out a work order?” He informed her that this was the first he had heard of the work order. He went right over and filled one out. He also mentioned that if the mechanic couldn’t stop by this morning, we would be leaving and heading north. Thankfully, Brian, the mechanic, came by around 9:30. I was prepping to take a well-deserved shower in Zahniser’s beautiful bath suites, but stayed to keep Tillie contained in the cockpit while Brian assessed our problem. After 15 minutes, he said he would be back. Pete got on his conference call while I headed to the shower. Once back, I barely had time to put stuff away and hang the towel when Brian came knocking again. Pete was still on the call. Brian spent the next 2 hours successfully reassembling the damaged part of the transmission. Like Pete though, once the ball and socket were removed, there were problems with the “wire.” Once again, Brian had to head to the shop for a tool and dye kit to make the final adjustments. When it came time to test the transmission, the engine once again had no power. This time, Pete knew exactly what was causing the issue. The flush breaker on the engine for the water pump had popped again and needed to be reset, like in St Augustine. Once done, it took some finessing to get the engine to transfer into gear properly. By noon, we are set to go! Pete needed to work this afternoon so we will leave in the morning.

    We had our lunch, which Pete ate while working. Since it was too late to get a ride from the marina over to Weis Market (about 3 miles from here), after lunch I went into the cockpit to download photos, file them, and work on the blog. I doubt I will get everything posted, but I will try to get a week or two done by tonight. The rest will have to wait until we are back at Castle Harbor Marina on Kent Island. As for the food shopping, I have plenty to make do until I can shop on Tuesday with the rental car.

    After dinner we both chilled and called it an early night. Tomorrow, we head up to St. Michaels.

Saturday, 6/17/23 ~ Solomons to St. Michaels, MD  . . . NOT!!!    Day 3 in Solomons ~

    Since Tillie woke us up at 5:30, we figured we would start our day. By 6:30 we were set. Just needed to start the engine and cast-off lines. Well, ummm, she wouldn’t start. She kept tripping the breaker on the engine; the one we found when dealing with issues in St. Augustine and reset just yesterday. After 3 resets, we “reset” to stay here in Solomons.

    I took Tillie on a walk around the neighborhoods near the marina. Tillie did good for most of the walk. We met a number of folks outside walking or doing projects around their property. After the initial excitement over meeting people, she will be content to sit or lay right next to me as I converse with “her new friends.” This usually comes in handy when I try to take a photo. Along our walk, I was able to take a number of them. One dad and daughter stopped by and since they had greeted other furry friends with treats, asked if they could give one to Tillie. She was thrilled.

 

I love the smaller cottages that are being built in the ares

 . . .including the ones for the birds!

    While we were gone, Pete was able to order a new breaker to be delivered here tomorrow. We just don’t know what time tomorrow. Pete plans to install it when it comes. If thing work, we will head out once the breaker is allowing us to leave. If not, we will have to arrange for a mechanic on Monday. I spoke with the harbormaster, Dave, and we are good to stay.

    We also called Miles River Yacht Club to cancel our slip and dinner reservations. Then I called Melissa to share the latest developments. We will try to get together once things settle.

    We are not sure just when we’ll be back in Castle Harbor, and Pete will be flying down to Florida on Wednesday to retrieve our car. Since I might not have the opportunity to restock for a while, I took advantage of the shuttle service here at Zahniser’s to shop at Weis’. It worked out perfectly. I was able to get everything on my list, including the Yuengling from the liquor store next to Weis.

    It was a warm afternoon with a light breeze. Perfect for reading.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~   K & P