At the bottom of the Chesapeake - so to speak

A few light expected showers woke us up between 05:00-07:00; winds were as predicted. One last look at the weather radar and winds was all looking good. When we tried to lift anchor this morning, Rocna wasn't letting go of the ground as she usually does. The windlass was actually pulling the bow down. I had thoughts that we had snagged a cable or an old log. I gave the signal to Julie to put the gear in forward and give it some revs...give it some more revs...then we broke free and the anchor came up without even mud on it...go figure. The anchor was up by 08:30; we navigated the narrow channel out of Jackson Creek, pulled out the main sail to harness the only wind in our favour today that will help push us against the 1 knot current which won't change in our favour until noonish. Once out in the Chesapeake with current against us we were only moving at 4.7knts. By mid-day the wind died right down, the seas were very calm and with the current now going our way we were moving along at

Calm seas while passing a buoy

6.7knts SOG. 

Some psychologists say we do things out of love or fear....there is lots to love about sailing south to the islands where the weather is warm, water is clear and life is laid back....that's what keeps us going forward. Then there is the fear factor...we carry our home and worldly possessions with us, having left the safety net of family and friends behind, chart new places neither of us have ever been before, self reliance with most all systems on board some more important than others, facing what Mother Nature may throw our way.Yet we continue to move onward....obviously driven by love over fear. Many have gone before and many will come after, some more and some less capable. Others say it took them six months before they were able to sleep through the night - not waking for every little ping, creak, clang or bang that happens. We will continue to gain confidence in our ability and our ships capabilities...always remembering that the ship is stronger than her captain.

The approach to the Norfolk Harbor is narrow which increases the currents...our timing had 1.35knts of current against us. However, we approached the narrow (relatively speaking) opening very close to shore which gave us the advantage of the eddy (reverse current created when fluid flows past an obstacle) which had us moving at 6.5knts until we came very close to the mouth of the harbour...then we very quickly slowed to 4.5knts. It was a good thing Julie called ahead to reserve a slip for

Docked at Hampton Public Pier

us as there is very little room to anchor in Hampton, VA. With the pack of boats heading south, I think there may be 'no room at the inn' a few times...meaning no free dock space or tight anchorages.

Nasty weather coming in so we will stay here for a couple of nights.