Sunday
1214 - You know someone is out of place in Norfolk when you are caught running down the street, in shorts, on December 1st, passing an outdoors skating arena, with an alternator belt grasped in the one hand, camera in the other! Transition to a bald eagle atop a tree, a deer swimming in front of us, 14 bridges to pass without hitting our mast and one lock to boot…life on the ICW.

We are very happy Steve made it back last night in one piece after an interesting trip to the supermarket, see his site). This AM the windlass hauled our anchor and half the mud in Chesapeake Bay for the first time but she did not break(thanks again Phil). Off at first light, steaming ahead at give or take 5.5 knots. Question: Is there a magic formula to obtaining non-burnt yet strong, tasty coffee from a percolator?

2040 –At anchor -Buck Island. 56 statute miles down, 1031 to go for “Miami by Christmas!” (In the ICW, all mileage is expressed in normal people miles vs the mariners nautical variety.) Extreme peace and quite other than a light rain falling outside. Like a finely oiled machine Team Audax was able to accomplish a fuel filter change, alternator belt replacement and raw water clean out prior to dinner. One should take note also of the most interesting final 5 miles of the days journey: The sun set, it got very dark and the channel was definitely NOT straight (see photo) coupled with an allowable margin of error between gliding and grinding of less than 100 feet.

Monday
2043 – Depth Sounder readings: 13, 12.4, 10.3, 8, 7.5, 6.3, thump… we are not moving!! Luckily for us the ROCKY coast of Maine is 700 miles away though! Our first hit on the ground in the ICW but now we safely rest at mile 123… lines rattling above as the 40 knot gusts of the day have not subsided. An agreement among the crew that the wind levels today were as high as any of us had ever experienced and this photo probably does not do it justice, but very sweet overall as temps in the 60’s, sunshine and Blue Grass on the sound system helped to make the day a great one.

Out of Buck Island early at 0630, sails unfurled to cross Albemarle sound, navigating into Alligator River, (no live ones seen yet), through a 15 miles canal ending at Pungo River under the cover of darkness for the 2nd night in a row. Not our fault this time as we learned that relying on cruising guides just like relying solely on the computer screen for navigation does not always work out so well. Freaking “Skipper Bob’s guide to ICW Anchorages” wrote of a great anchorage on the canal, too bad there was no room, no water and a vicious tide. Another double love tap with the bottom and a more forceful grounding requiring the synchronized use of engine throttle, windlass operation and zodiac pushing to free us was more than enough to say F-this and to forge forward into the setting sun for another 12 miles to the next anchorage (from a cruising guide!) on Pongo River. More safe, mostly sound and after a dinner of potatoes and beans, followed by the Monday bed rotation ritual, we are all resting/reading/ hanging and looking forward to an easier day of 15 miles trekking to civilization for computer time, blog posting, provisioning and minor boat repairs.

2 photo albums for viewing pleasure. Military Might and Bridges of the ICW (click to go to album)

PS: The quote used at the title of the entry was taken from my brothers writings at his site www.ScotHerrigel.com