14 May, 2021. A long but beautiful day on the Chesapeake

 

69 SM; 9.9 hours

Weather predictions for the day appeared excellent.  WNW @10-12 decreasing throughout the day and becoming variable late.  Clear, but chilly skies, it was time to head north.  We raised the anchor at 0715, stuck very well in oozy blackish mud.  Our bucket with a rope wash down system had all cleaned and on the anchor roller in short order.  Out we headed toward the Hampton roads main shipping channel.  Entering and rounding Old Point Comfort Light we once again entered the bay.  A large tanker was also headed out to sea and quickly caught and passed us.  

Tanker was doing 15 mph, twice our speed

Interestingly, the incoming ocean swells were from the SE and continued to roll into the vast opening of the bay.  We were rolling pretty good, but not as bad as two days ago.  But, the NW winds, current combined with the ocean swells made the first hour uncomfortable and we reassess our go-no-go.  There were a few white caps and not increasing, area airports continued to report favorable winds and NWS predicted decreasing winds so we pressed ahead.  Due to shoaling and fish trap area we have to run a couple of miles off shore.  Passing the large mouths of several rivers and the expansive Mobjack bay each with outflows and current ebbing did stack up one foot choppy wind waves.  

Bay—big view

We planned a long day to take advantage of the excellent cruising conditions forecast for the next few days.  The dome of the high pressure would settle over the region with light and variable winds for several days.  Schedules and cruising are hazardous combinations and result in poor weather decisions.  We tend not to hurry and press to get somewhere if the weather is not right.  However, since we were tourists for a week and saw the southern VA sights we want to get up the bay while the weather is good.  So we are pressing a bit.

Wolf trap light—non operational

Wolf trap light operational

Many of the beautiful light houses (don’t call them light houses here in the bay) adorn the shoals throughout the bay.  This one, Wolf Trap light, is for sale.  Wolf trap for sale

Later in the afternoon, winds in fact became light and variable and the bay, swells remained, became almost calm.

Only ripples the last couple of ours cruising

We decided since it was so nice, to add another 2.5 hours onto the day and proceed to an anchorage at the junction of the Potomac river and the Chesapeake Bay called Smith Point.  Little Wicomico river.  A bit nail biting entrance around shoaling and fish traps, we found a great anchorage at 1700.  Anchor set in eight feet of of 69 degree water.  Smooth near glassy water watching the sun begin to go down as we gave thanks for a successful day.  Anchorage location

3619 SM traveled; 1671.0 hours Hobbs