Day 315 – Norfolk, VA to Dozier’s Regatta Point Yachting Center, Deltaville, VA - May 16, 2012

When we departed this morning we weren’t exactly sure what conditions we would encounter as we began traveling up the Chesapeake Bay.  The wind and wave conditions were predicted to be good, but there was a chance of some showers.  We made an excellent decision to depart when we did – the wind was very light and waves were non-existent for most of the trip.  We didn’t even get rained on other than a few drops as we departed Norfolk and headed out the Elizabeth River.

We have worked hard to not have a schedule on this trip so that we can travel when conditions are good.  On an overall look at our Loop so far, we have done an excellent job picking our travel days.  We also pay close attention to weather reports so that we can make smart choices about being at a dock or being at anchor.  Boreas is a much different boat at anchor than our sailboat (the boat on which we have the most anchoring experience) and the weather conditions under which we can enjoy being at anchor are different.

So, although it is overcast, our first experience on the Chesapeake Bay is a good one.  The Bay here at the south end is almost 20 miles across, so with our overcast conditions we don’t really see the shoreline.  We do see a few lighthouses, a good number of other pleasure boaters, quite a few tows with barges and a few ocean going freighters. 

             Miles: 51.2      Bridges: 0        Locks: 0

we see many Navy ships as we travel down the Elizabeth River

the USNS Leroy Grumman a fleet replenishment oiler

the USS George H.W. Bush a Nimitz-class supercarrier

the USS George H.W. Bush

the Thimble Shoal Light

cruising up Chesapeake Bay - you can see a ship in the distance and
how calm the water is (the wake in the bottom of the picture
is from Grianan who is travelling in front of us)

Wolf Trap Light

Stingray Point Light - again you can see how calm the water is
with just Grianan's wake to disturb it

from our slip at Dozier's Regatta Point Yachting Center

the evening sky from our slip