Norfolk, Virginia

We crossed into our fifth state along our "Loop" at 10:30 am on Saturday in the middle of the great Dismal Swamp. We are now closer to Lake Huron and the North Channel, our furtherest north quest on this trip, than we are to where we started in Marathon, which is by Key West. We are closer to New York City than we are to Charleston, SC where we were just a week ago. So our latitude is changing rapidly, and it is definitely not Texas or Kansas, Dorothy.

(Not that I want to click my heels or anything) The swamp was an alternate way to come north on the ICW after you pass through the sounds of Pamlico and Abermarle. It was dug in 1805 to move cypress trees from the swamp to Norfolk, to be shipped around the country or world. The water is the color of dark dark tea. Ugly at first, but Shelley tells me that it's acidity and ability to last a long time in a barrel was highly coveted by all sailors. That is all well and good, but all I know is that it gives Rock Chalk a "mustache" on it's two bows and the back platforms are no longer white. Gotta go scrub that color off.

I have been remiss in my blogging as it has been so crazy. I know, you think waking up each day and all you gotta do is turn the engine on, is not tough. But I found navigating through North Carolina to be the most difficult yet. Plus the weather did not help as the epic battles of spring are happening overhead. First its warm southeast breezes, then these mean northwest winds come howling in for two days. Northwest winds at 20-25 are no fun.

Think of Lake Cheney on steriods.... Many of you do not remember the lake I grew up sailing on, but Cheney was shallow all the way across. Maybe 8 to 10 ft. Put a big wind on shallow water and you get really short steep waves. Do that over a body of water that is 100 miles long and 50 miles wide, and you get some real ugly seas that knock the heck out of you as you cross.

We stayed on the hook at the south end of the Alligator River two nights ago. It was remote, very remote. So remote that we had no cell or internet service. Talk about withdrawal anxiety. What do you do if you cannot talk to someone, text them, or surf the internet??? Well, we managed to look at stars and the moon, and the coolest display of "Topgun" fighter jets ever. This very remote area happens to be the perfect playground for the marine air base south of here, flying their F-18 Hornets. So all afternoon and evening the rookie was in the first jet followed by the instructor trying to shoot him down. These guys were down on the deck, doing 180 degrees, then shooting straight up. At night with their after-burners glowing, it was really cool.

We are now in Norfolk, VA. and Jay and Anne Carey met us last night. They say hi to all. Anne is from Virginia and her brother still lives on the family farm, so while they were near, it was easy to come aboard the boat for a couple of nights. We are headed out into the Chesapeake Bay this morning, for who knows where. I have to get my chart out shortly and Jay and I are going to plan our anchorages. Its nice to have friends come to see us.

More later, but I must prepare. Miss you all. Marc