October 24, 2008 Email from Mark

Ahoy!

October 22, 2008
This morning slept in, weighing anchor 0900 after a big breakfast. The weather forecast promised little opportunity for food preparation today. The forecast was accurate as soon as I emerged into the bay and the waves built up quickly to 3-4 feet with some surprise 5 footers once into the bay. 1500 hrs past Wolf Trap Light. Made great time in an exciting run down the rest of the bay. Had 20 kts of wind on my back with gusts and 4 foot waves. Ran just the Genoa jib and jigger most of the way. It was a good surf all the way at 6-7knots. Made Hampton roads as the tide was coming in which added another knot and a half. Believe I broke the speed record for a C&C Corvette not going over a waterfall. Motored by a substantial portion of our military budget. Made my way into the Elizabeth River and anchored at Hospital Point in Portsmouth VA mile 0 on the Intercostal waterway directly across from the battleship Wisconsin.

October 23, 2008
Took off first light to enjoy the industrial scenery of Hampton roads and the shipyards. My brief attempt to fly the Genoa was short lived. Missed the turn off for the Dismal Swamp, which would not surprise any of you that has driven with me. The day was motoring along the first half of the dismal swamp extension of the intercostal. I see now how it got its nickname "the ditch". Most of the first 30 or so miles the canal parallels a highway, giving the feel of sailing along a stomwater ditch. Days highlight was the locks which raised the group of us (8-10 boats) to the elevation of the Dismal Swamp. The scenery started to get more swampish with the exception of the truck and car noise on the highway. Another thing is this sucker is narrow. Was busy keeping an eye for deadheads (large logs just below the surface) that forgot to watch for overhangs of the big pines and sycamores that line the canal. Ran into one that showered the boat in branches, leaves and sycamore seed pods. Turned the wind vane into a piece of abstract art.
Around noon passed into North Carolina and believe it or not they have a welcome center a couple of miles further on; though I think it doubles as a highway rest stop. The docks were all taken and no one was aboard, so rather rafting uninvited up to someone’s expensive Benetou, I opted to go the South Mills drawbridge and lock. Didn't make it time for the bridge tender and tied up to the wall just before the bridge in South Mills, North Carolina.

October 24, 2008
Got up at dawn and climbed the mast to restore to a more functional wind vane configuration. As soon as the bridge opened motored the 1000 yards to the second lock which dropped me a good 8 feet. The section of canal here was more like it! Bald cypress and old pines with lots and lots of wetland. Saw hawks, bald eagle and other birds. There might be a Wal-Mart (bastards!) within a mile but you couldn't tell. The canal meandered south and after 20 or so miles Elizabeth City came into view. By 2pm I had found a gym that for 3 bucks let me have a hot shower, which after three days, was exquisite and I'm sure quite appreciated by my invisible crew. Probably will spend the day here tomorrow as the wind is going to be in the wrong direction, but no worries, no schedule!