Our time in Annapolis was a bit damp. Hurricane Ian was a long way off to the southwest when we got there but we still got outer bands which gave us a lot of rain and wind. Near gale winds. Our first night was the worst of it but our anchorage spot in Spa Creek had a good enough holding bottom and wind protection so we stayed secured. Then Ian dissipated and was absorbed into a strong cold front. This caused more rain and wind. Very slightly less wind but just as much rain. More than 4 days and 5 nights worth of rain. The weather radar showed the swirling rotational pattern of a hurricane but it wasn't even considered subtropical. It certainly wasn't warm. Brrr.
At least our first walk to the pharmacy in Eastport was pretty.
We got a couple of brief breaks in the rain and got to a bakery, the drug store (twice) and the water dock at Truxtum Park. Then, after 5 nights, we left. In some rain. And wind. At least we got our needed meds but not our needed vaccinations. Re-scheduled those for our next multi-day stop in Great Bridge. Oh, well.
Our trip to Solomons was in Small Craft Advisory (SCA) conditions but the rain was mostly passed. The wind and seas were behind us so we were not all that uncomfortable. Not bad at all. Mostly 2ft but 4ft seas happened at some points. The Solomons anchorage areas were mostly full with transient boats which was a little unusual. They may have stayed in port due to the weather we had been out in. Also, perhaps like us, cruisers are not gathering at the 'too late in the month this year' boat show and are already on the road south. Luckily there are many areas to anchor so no problems.
Finally we got back to cruising mode, up early and 8 hour days. We went south to Deltaville, VA, crossing the mouth of the Potomac River in 1 ft. following seas. Conditions eventually became totally calm and we anchored in a usual spot in Jackson Creek. After a beautiful and calm night we headed out in near calm conditions which eventually became almost 6 inch seas. A breeze developed on the nose which caused the wavelets. It was also a day of adverse currents which became awful as we went into Hampton Roads. Our time enroute was 90 minutes longer than our average passage time due to the current. We went into the High Street Basin in Portsmouth to dock but there was no room due to local small boats taking up space. They do not stay overnight so the space becomes available eventually. Just not when someone could use it. We went back a short way to anchor off the Portsmouth Naval Hospital. We've been there many times and it's okay but not great. Holding ground is only fair, crab pot floats abound and it is exposed to ICW and commercial traffic wakes. Pretty 'though. The Hospital is on the near shore and the battleship Wisconsin is across the river. Exteriors for the TV show NCIS were filmed nearby. Whoop-de-do. In the morning we picked up the anchor earlier than we used to because it was Saturday and the Gilmerton Lift Bridge was not restricted as to opening times. When we got there a very large barge wanted to come through the bridge northbound and the waiting vessels squoze to the sides of the channel. This let us go through first southbound as we were the only boat positioned properly after the barge passed. It didn't really matter as we have to wait for the schedule at the Great Bridge Lock anyway. The lock was full and the boats were slow going in and out but we made it through for the 10am Great Bridge bascule bridge opening. Our planned fuel stop at AYB was delayed by other boats so we tied up at the free dock on the opposite side of the ICW briefly. We then untied and went to the fuel dock, filled up and then went back to the free dock for two nights. This is one of our favorite ICW stops. Free dockage. Groceries close. Pharmacies, restaurants, a museum, a library and walking trails are also features. What else could one want? Did I mention the free dockage?
We went up the mast to remove some equipment to allow us to get under some bridges on the ICW, got a couple of vaccinations each, picked up more meds, got groceries, did some routine and minor maintenance and then got underway to continue south.
Next posting may be from our home in Marathon. Maybe sooner. Who knows?
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