Out Of The "Ditch"!

SHIP'S LOG:

Hospital Point:36'50.781N/ 076'18.090W

At 12:32pm, I passed Intracoastal Waterway Mile Marker "O" and official (and geographically) let the ICW. I anchored off of Hospital Point right across the Elizabeth River from the Battleship "WISCONSIN" and spent the afternoon savoring a wonderful achievement.

My last day in the "Ditch" was hot(80's) and humid and there was very little wind and I went through the last 6 bridges I expect to go through for a long time. By the way, the award for the "Nastiest Bridge Tender" goes to the "lady" who tends the Steel(Dominion) Bascule Bridge. There was a two knot current running toward the bridge and there were five of us(1 power/3sail) waiting of it to open. It made maneuvering a bit trickey as we kept getting swept toward the bridge adn had to keep backing off while the "lady" bridge tender kept telling us to keep close if we "want to go through in this opening." Less you think that it was just anxiousness on my part, she was as nasty to people when I passed through back in October.

Hanging on the "wall" with me last night was a guy from Maryland traveling all by himself. While I try to atleast have a plan for the follwing day, he really wings it and just goes. A really free spirit but not that well grounded in reality as he didn't even remember that there weas a lock a Great Bridge. "I don't remember it from when I came down last fall!"

This section of the ICW is all industrial and Naval. It is certainly unlike the stretches I have been on where there was nothing but beautiful vistas all around you for days. Then again, the original intent of the ICW was for use by commercial traffic. Speaking of which, I saw two tugs hauling tows that were easily almost 1/4 of a mile long if not more. I can not for the life of me figure out how they can work those things around some of the twists and turns I've been through just in the past few days.

I'll be hold up here in Norfolk for at least tomorrow and possibly Wednesday as NOAA says there is a chance of rain( and they gave a percentage 50% and we all know what that means.) Where i go from here is the question. I might make a 30 mile detour up the York River to see some friends. I also want to cruise the east side of the Chesapeake which I missed on the way down. I am also hoping to meet with friends in Annapolis but haven't heard from them. The Chesapeake itself is a three day sail up and the Delaware is a two day motor down to Cape May. From there it is one day to Atlantic City. One day to Manesquan. One day to Sandy Hook. Then a timing run with the tide through NYC to Little Bay off Throggs Neck. Then a day to Milford so I can give Bob the bucket he had his head in most of the way down last October. The two more days to TYC in New London.It will be an interesting couple of weeks ahead. Hopefully the weather will continue to cooperate. Hear that NOAA!