October 4, 2000
Location:
Solomons Island
Odometer:
39 miles
This is our first day of our Bahamas adventure! We did not plan
on leaving until October 5, but the weather was beautiful and we were
anxious to begin our trip south. It took a few minutes
to get the lines off the pilings (Laura's dock hooks were a
bit rusty!). The wind was out of the south at 10 knots and with the
added cargo it slowed the boat speed to around 5.5 knots. We did not
arrive in Solomons Island until 9 pm and anchored in our usual spot
without any problems. We were sleeping shortly after.
October
5, 2000
Location:
Lanes Creek
Odometer:
108 miles
We woke up around 6:15 am to start our next leg of the cruise.
The early morning fog was thick on the Bay and we were glad to have
radar! We originally planned on anchoring in Indian Creek (third
creek north of Antipoison Creek), but the weather became beautiful so we
continued on. We encountered our first "swing bridge"
behind Gwynn Island in Milford Heaven and anchored in Lanes Creek.
We had to use our 4 ft depth indicator a few times (most people refer to
it as the keel). This area is very pretty and quiet with a few
fishing boats buzzing around. The guide book mentioned several marinas,
but these all seemed to be out of business. It looks like the
"hay day" has come and gone for this rural area.
October
6, 2000
Location:
Deep Creek Lock- ICW
Odometer:
171 miles
Got up early (again, around 7 am) to get to the first lock on the Dismal
Swamp Canal. As we crossed the York River the Bay was starting to
get choppy from the upcoming front. We past a submarine on the way
into Norfolk Harbor. The Harbor was very busy and filled with Naval ships
of all sizes. We made it through the few bridges (had to wait over
an hour for one) and tied up to a dolphin (three pilings tied together are
called a "dolphin") near the first lock on the Dismal Swamp
Canal. The winds howled all night!
