Now the Chesapeake - Day 249 - Norfolk, VA to Deltaville, VA

Our agreement to purchase the 63 Outer Reef requires us to move the Sea Ray to Annapolis where it will be surveyed, sea trialed and, if the deals go through, offered for sale.  Note: If you know anyone interested in a 48, our's may by the best equipped in the country and a great deal as Outer Reef will wish to convert it to cash.

So, on Tuesday, after taking a late morning historical walking tour, we departed Norfolk (1:00PM).  Our route took us past ICW Mile Marker Zero one tenth a mile east of Waterside Marina.  That milestone marked the end of a 1,322 mile four and a half month trek that began we left Key West on January 24.

Plaque denoting Mile Marker Zero along the Norfolk waterfront

Then we proceeded down the Elizabeth River, passed the Norfolk Naval Base, entered the Hampton Roads Channel and proceeded east to the Chesapeake Bay.  Along the way, we passed Fort Wool (on the south shore), which along with Fort Monroe on the north shore protected Hampton Roads and access to Norfolk harbor.

Fort Wool

At Thimble Shoal Light we turned and headed north up the Chesapeake.  With light winds out of the south the Chesapeake had waves less than a foot as we cruised north at 26 MPH (2200 RPM).

Sirus Satellite Weather view of the Chesapeake

Note: The regional view (screen on the left) shows the Gulf Stream (red) flowing out to the north east as we cruise into slightly cooler 79 degree waters.    The screen on the right shows our position.  Meanwhile, the temperature on shore was in the 90s while we enjoyed the cooler temperature on the water and the nice breeze created by our speed.

At 3:50 PM we arrived at our Deltaville destination, the first of two enroute stops on our way to Annapolis some 161 miles to the North.

Guided Discovery tied up on the "T"

Deltaville turned out to be a full service marina almost entirely focused on sail.  While there, we met an Australian couple and there son who were five days away from crossing the "pond" ( i.e.,the North Atlantic Ocean to the Azores).  They too have a blog: www.windjammer3@gmail.com