Into the Chesapeake - June 12th - 37:23.11N, 076:20:58
AJAYA'S CRUISE
Phil & Nikki Hoskins
Fri 19 Jun 2009 21:21
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Pleasant as it was there was little to gain by
staying another night in Portsmouth VA. Having managed to successfully
renew our insurance for another year (Ouch!) we decided to push on north towards
the marina where we intend to stop for a while.
ICW mile marker No:1 is in the river just outside
Portsmouth, passing it ended that particular part of our journey. As the
Norfolk waterfront unfolded so did the miles & miles of naval moorings like
a large marina. Several war ships were returning from service "elsewhere"
their crews lining the decks. The VHF was alive with pleasure boat owners
sending their thanks to the "boys". Large armed RIBS patrolled
the docks & eyed passing traffic with suspicion. Finally we
sailed out into the Chesapeake.
A boat we had last seen at Great Bridge
recognised Ajaya from afar & hailed us. They were heading in the
same general direction. As we'd left late in the day & were now foul
tided (yep back into tidal waters) our chosen destination became more
over optimistic by the hour. It didn't take long for us to agree to
join them in the East River off Mobjack Bay. Most of the popular
anchorages are in rivers or creeks some 5 to 6 miles from the main channel of
the Chesapeake so most journeys have to be planned reasonably carefully
especially where shallow patches & shoals occur - even these can mean a
detour of several miles. East River was a pretty & very peaceful stop,
except for one party boat & something screaming in the forest in the
early hours................................
 East River sunset.
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