We are just a day out of Hampton, Virginia, where we'll be making last minute preparations and provisioning before joining the Salty Dawgs for the Rally to Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Our boat fits firmly into the category of cruising boat now, with the addition of the Stainless Steel Arch that serves to support solar panels and our dinghy. The topsides are loaded up with jerry cans and we've got weathercloths surrounding the cockpit. No hope of this boat racing again!
Given that we found ourselves with more time on our hands than anticipated, we have been able to do some cruising of the Chesapeake, which has been quite relaxing for the most part. The authorities in Virginia have the good grace to insist the crabbers keep their crab pots outside of busy navigational channels. Not so the people of Maryland. So leaving every harbor requires a leap of faith and a good lookout, especially as the sun is rising and casting a blinding orange glare on the water, which completely obscures your ability to see anything in your path! Surprisingly, despite the plethora of crab pots, we have seen little evidence of local crab on the menus, although crab cakes are a staple.
We had the thrill of being joined by 3 dolphins a couple of days ago. I so wanted to live in the moment, rather than rushing for my camera, and was able to marvel at their frolicking alongside our boat for a goodly time. When I scurried for the camera they swam away, the shy little buggers. Brian advises by email that there will be more of them to come, and so that is true. He also requests whale sightings, and for our sakes I hope they are from a significant distance. Advise from Dave G: always keep your depth sounder on, so you don't run into one of them at sleep, they can do some serious damage! (The captain takes offense at the chief safety officer's veering into discourse about danger again!)
There have been some lovely anchorages. One at Indian Creek was described as "snug" and we were very fearful of crowding the one small boat that was already at anchor but there was room and enough depth for our deep keel and we enjoyed a silent night. We are in sincere appreciation for the new 12 inch chartplotter that has so far not lead us astray!
Now here we are in Virginia. Officially, we are in the South. And not a BBQ resto in site. The Cap'n is quite disappointed, and has thus far not expressed resentfulness that the first mate refused to eat at this hole in the wall, Sgt.BBQ, in Solomon's Island, because we had a fridge full of groceries that needed consumption. I think he'll be able to scratch that itch once we get to Hampton.
Southerners are very friendly. They greet you with "how y'all doing?" the question of which incites an interaction rather than a simple exchange of "Good Mornings."
It has been a long time since postings. Our WiFi amplifier seems to not be working well and the mobile plan we bought in good faith blocks the ability of the phone to become a personal hotspot so we can not tether our devices and use the data. We are currently sitting in a Ben and Jerry's where we may have overstayed our welcome. Just about time to move to the pub for "Buck a Shuck" thursdays!
We'll be in Hampton, there should be some good festivities, as well as seminars and we'll try and do another posting.
