This blog will chronicle our (Pat and Patty Anderson's)
cruising adventures on the Great Loop!
DAY 41 - May 11, 2017
We had a good night at Davis Creek, and again got an early start. Because a big storm was forecast to start Friday (tomorrow) and last through Sunday, we wanted to get to a safe haven at Charlie Vinroot's home on Cod Creek just off the Potomac River. The weather forecast for the day was not bad, so we headed out.
It started out OK but we soon found ourselves in 2-3 waves on the Chesapeake, as bad as we had ever been in. Only twice before had we faced conditions this, once returning from a Sequim CBGT (C-Brat Get Together) to Everett, and a short bit of the Albemarle Sound before we figured out how to cross. Neither of these was very long. From Davis Creek to Cod Creek however we traveled 68 miles. We were not unsafe but we certainly were uncomfortable. By the time it got really uncomfortable, we were too far along to turn back. We could have ducked in to one of the many anchorages along the way, but not knowing what we would find there, we made the decision, wise or not, to keep slogging along. Baxter was trembling, and even Lucy came out of the vee-berth to sit with Patty, a first for her. We were so relieved to see Charlie standing on his pier to guide us in and help tie us up.
Patty's ultimatum: NEVER AGAIN!
Welcome to the East Coast. It's shallow (relatively) and those winds can cause some crummy chop. We were happy to come through there in a 36' sailboat, not a C-Dory, but we still had some rough rides. The worst was coming down Lake Eire; I swear they had square waves.
ReplyDeleteSo, never again what? Certainly you're not going back to the truck, but you will have more bad days if you're on a schedule of some sort.
Remember: take the good with the bad; it's worth it.
Boris
And kept in perspective most "days from hell" make great stories once they recede in the rear view sufficiently.
ReplyDeleteNever again?? Are you moving in with Charlie? ;-) Springtime on the East Coast (well, everywhere), the weather can certainly be changeable. Boat size/weight matters... hope Mother Nature cuts you some slack so you don't have to trade DayDream in for a big ol' trawler. Travel safe.
ReplyDelete