Admiral’s Log

Friday, August 21

Thursday’s Decision -- As we came up on the Coinjock Bridge, it was decision time! Take the route of the Great Dismal Swamp Canal or the route leading up the Albermarle Sound?  (PHOTO #436)

 
Photo 436: Last Bridge in North Carolina -- Coinjock

Having done our homework on Wednesday, we knew the following things about the two routes:

·         The Dismal Swamp is a trip that the guide stated that everybody should do at least once.  Hmmm…would this be our one time opportunity?  The route has a centerline controlling depth of 6-feet and a speed limit of 7mph.  Low-power boats (like houseboats!) enjoy the speed. Negotiating this route involves passing through two locks and three restricted opening bridges.

·          Albermarle Sound is by far the most popular choice among cruising boaters, who stream north in spring and south in fall. Along this route there are five opening bridges, two fixed bridges and a lock. Timing is everything if one takes this route.  Temporary delays because of missed openings are common. Furthermore, the swing bridges (of which there are two along this route) are temperamental to heat and may not operate in extreme heat.  Weather forecast was mid-90’s with heat index close to 100-degrees.

What follows are the photographs captured on each of the obstacles as we came upon them.  Count them. Can you tell which route was taken? We had successfully run the gauntlet and by 9:30pm. (PHOTO # 446, 450, 455, 459, 464, 471)

Photo 446: Waiting for Bridge Opening
 

Photo 450: Michael Waits for bridge

Photo 455: Big Tilt Bridge

Photo 459: Entering Lock

Photo 464: Last Bridge on the Intracoastal Waterway

Photo 471: Another Bridge Behind

Surprise Ending to Thursday– One can only imagine the surprise onboard when we were within range of mile marker zero and where we expected to dock for the evening when out of nowhere came a sneak attack up on our starboard side by three special ops boats! It was dark, we had huge military carriers on either side in dry docks and knew that we were in close proximity of restricted areas.  However, we were well within our ‘water space’ and could not have imagined the next 30-minutes.  One minute we were jubilant to know that we had completed a fine day and the next minute ‘dead’ in the water.

The special ops were performing assault maneuvers and we presented a fine target for them to exercise ‘sneaking’ up from the back.  They got us from the back all right.  What they did not figure into their ‘attack’ was that our vessel had a small leak in the backside that was not an issue by itself.  A little water, but nothing that needed action for the moment.  HOWEVER, the combination of that little water in the back (after 12+ hours of paddlin’) with the pressure change that the rush of the special ops boats caused to our engine in effect caused the starboard engine to go into hydrolock.  We of course did not know at the time what had happened, but only that we know were without power steering, had only one engine, and still had to navigate further up and attempt to negotiate docking this vessel in the marina!

Friday Dawn – So close to home.  Mile Marker Zero might as well as been Ground Zero. We are all feeling down as we arise as we are not sure what the diagnostics will reveal.  Service department at this marina does not open until 8am and so for at least the hour that we have to wait, we discuss series of options that we might take.

We did have a few lighter moments while at the Ocean Marine Yacht Center.  We met a delightful couple – Mike and ‘Peanut’…and their small dog, Sophie.  This couple had sold everything, purchased a boat, and for the last seven years have lived onboard.  In the course of our conversations with them, we learned two most fascinating points. First, the name of their boat (Jack-and-Rona) and symbolism of the name.  See for yourself! (PHOTO #472) 

 
Photo 472: New Friends at Portsmouth

The second fascinating point was about Sophie. Sophie was four years old and has never been off the boat. Peanut does not like to walk the dog and so the dog has its own bathroom and like a cat has learned to use a litter box.  Sorry folks, I thought it would be a little tacky to ask to take a picture of that…so, use your imagination. Imagine if Mike and Peanut every have company onboard.  Suppose the guest must share the bathroom with Sophie…and try to explain the guest why the shower has a litter box!

Servicing the Boat – We were thrilled to hear the good news-bad news from the mechanic.  The bad news was not so bad…more or less telling us what still needed to be fixed, but not required at this time.  The good news was that we know understood the problem, it was resolved…although it could happen again until the small leak was fixed.  What this meant, was in unlocking the engine, we COULD proceed.  Michael had become fast friends with the two engines on this vessel – he calls them ‘his girls’ – and with boat mechanics along this journey.  (PHOTO #474) 

Photo 474: Broken Boat

Back on the Water – At 11am, we are back on the water.  We had picked Reedville, VA as our destination point for the day, expecting that to be close to the half-way point between Portsmouth and Washington, DC.  This leg of the journey was to be bumpy with large swells coming over the bough of the vessel as we fought our way up from the lower Chesapeake Bay toward the waters of the Potomac River.  We were no longer in the protective and well marked Intracoastal Waterway.  Captain Rob and the compass were to be the two things Michael and I were to hold close to us.  The Admiral did limited time behind the wheel on this day, leaving the handling in these waters to the more experienced crew members.  We captured some fascinating shots while out in the open water.  Look at this marker…and light house standing tall in middle of the Bay!  (PHOTO #480)

 
Photo 480: A Marker in the Chesapeake Bay

By 6pm, we see Reedville, tucked within the Cockrell Creek, and semi-sheltered from the waves and wind of the Chesapeake Bay.  A good day driving and good place to anchor at the Fairport Marina.  We shall gas up and grab a bite to eat at the dock restaurant and make preparations for what we believe will be the final day of this journey.  (PHOTO #486 and 491)

 
Photo 488: Old Boat at Reedville Harbor

Photo 491: Fairport Marina, Reedsville, Virginia 

Total Distance: Approx 70-miles      Total Time: 7 hours

From: Canright, Shelley
Sent: Friday, August 21, 2009 8:59 AM
Subject: August 20 Morning Status

We have mechanic onboard at this moment doing a diagnostic assessment. There is a mega-yacht 'parked' nearby that is jammin' the FREE wireless internet that I am to get while sitting at the dock. Geesh...think maybe I should go knock on the yacht door and speak 'Admiral to Admiral'. Hurphf, I would probably only get the Steward to speak to, so guess shall leave things for the moment to communicate via the blackberry.

Met an interesting couple -- Mike and Peanut and 'daughter, Sophie, the dog - last night with docking our 'mini' yacht. Ahhh..another story for the log...just need either family photo or family member. The name of their boat -- home -- is Jack-O-Rona. Story to THAT too...and it is all in the artwork that serves as the dashes beween the words. I DID get pictures of that.

Michael is down in the engines section with mechanic and discussion can be heard. Here is hoping the next bit of update that I share will be more upbeat....

From: Anderson, Bill
To: Canright, Shelley
Sent: Fri Aug 21 08:13:43 2009
Subject: RE: August 20 Morning Status

This isn’t surprising news; it’s fully expected, just what I’ve been saying all along.  We’re gonna hold the Langley retreat on that boat.

From: Canright, Shelley
Sent: Friday, August 21, 2009 9:23 AM
To: Anderson, Bill
Subject: Re: August 20 Morning Status

You are TOO much!

From: Canright, Shelley
Sent: Friday, August 21, 2009 9:07 PM
Subject: FRIDAY NIGHT STATUS

FRIDAY NIGHT STATUS

Just to give you a quick update on where we are and plans for Saturday.  After a dicey start to the day, we did get off around 11am from Portsmouth, VA and set sights for Reedsville, VA. We thought this might be the mid-way point between Portsmouth and Washington, DC…and by our guide, it looked like the farthest point up north before turning towards up the Potomac River.  Additional, we knew one more stop for gas would be necessary to get us on the final leg and Reedsville seemed to have the go-go juice.

We arrived in Reedsville, VA at 6pm and upon arrival gassed up in preparation for what should be the final leg of this long journey.  The marina that we have selected has an attached restaurant and appears to be a local draw (aka dive) on a Friday evening.  A most interesting evening at the dock and time spent at the restaurant.  However, that should be saved for the Admiral’s log and not for a quick status!

At the time of this transmission, our plans are to pull lines by 6am on Saturday, swing this 68-ft baby around from the dock towards the Chesapeake Bay and under low tide and, hopefully, with the current and winds in our favor, take the girl out from the ‘creek’ and head north.

We shall run up north to the mouth of the Potomac River and then more or less into the ‘home stretch’.  The ‘stretch’ we calculate, as best we can, to be approx 90-miles (at 10 mph should take 9 hours). However, once we get underway and can get a sense of the current, wind, etc., then we can do calculations with the GPS and hone in better on what might be an estimated arrival to the Occoquan Harbour Marina – home port for ‘Now We’re Ready’.

That is all for now, mates!