Calm before the storm

July 9, 2011

Because Tom was working on our refrigerator, we didn't leave Hampton until 11:00. We were then delayed even more by the exit out of Norfolk by a naval warship/aircraft carrier. Announcements over the radio warned everyone to stay 500 yds clear of it or risk the use of deadly force. Coast Guard and gunboats were all over Hampton Roads. Kentris idled off to the side a while and then crept up the north side of the channel praying we would not be shot on sight. (We were pretty sure we were more than 500 yds away and even called the Coasties to ask permission. They were unhelpful. “All we can tell you is that you must remain 500 yds away.” So what if you aren't a very good judge of distance?)

Well, we managed to get out of there with our lives and boat intact and turned north. We were actually able to sail for a while, but slower than would allow us to reach our planned destination in a reasonable time. So we decided to check out Horn Harbor on the eastern shore of Virginia. The channel in was a bit of a zigzag, but the creek was very pretty and seemed well protected from weather.  Reminded us of Broad Creek on the Neuse.

Proof that we do actually sail occasionally

After surveying several areas, we chose to anchor just outside the channel in 7' of water in line with another catamaran that was riding on a mooring ball (first clue). The evening was mild, we had a little sprinkling of rain while we prepared dinner and ate in the cockpit. I wasn't entirely happy with the way the anchor set (second clue), but we weren't dragging so decided to go with what we had. Both of us went for a short kayak ride and watched the ospreys perched on the other catamaran. Bet the owner is really happy about them taking up residence on his boat. Off in the distance lightening could be seen as night approached (final clue). It was kind of pretty and seemed to be moving away from us.

And then all hell broke loose. The wind came up out of nowhere and almost immediately we were in peril of docking unintentionally at the boathouse behind us. Fortunately we have a shallow draft boat or we would most certainly have been aground. (At one point we actually considered that being aground might be a reasonable option!) As I went forward to up anchor, the rain started down in torrents. The anchor came up accompanied by thick globs of black mud. We tried several more times to get the anchor to set but all were unsuccessful and we decided our only option was to keep the boat idling in the channel and beside the moored boat both of which were easy to identify as the lightening flashed. This storm can't last much longer, right? An hour and a half later the wind finally died and the lightening moved out to the bay. The rain, however, continued forever it seemed. It did wash a lot of the mud off the boat though. We put out the anchor and about 60' of chain with it, figuring if the wind stayed calm, the weight of all that would hold us even if the anchor didn't set. Napped in the salon so we could respond quickly if another storm blew in. Fortunately the wind did stay calm and all is well. No one was hurt and nothing was damaged. And, by the way, the refrigerator is fixed.