Jan 1-2, 2023 Escape from Cape Charles --> Point Lookout VA

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 We enjoy visiting Cape Charles. This past summer we made great memories during a visit with four boats and 8 friends, spending the weekend here.  But we have some trepidation aboutstarting a long journey here, because when  we ducked in here on the first night of our 2020 Bahamas trip, we were stalled here for several days as heavy winter weather rolled through. This time we ended up in Cape Charles because it was the only place we could find with fuel available on New Years Eve. So Cape Charles took us in and we were hoping we could get out in a timely manner.

Traveling Day (New Year’s Day) started with a coastal fog advisory threatening to hold us. At the marina visibility was less than 100 feet. Instead of departing early we took a long slow stroll through town, discussing what our alternatives might be since we were very not keen about about committing to 40 hours offshore in dense fog. So with Plan B in mind we crept carefully out of the marina in white-out conditions with radar on, a sharp lookout and our previous tracks through the inlet channel showing on the GPS.  


With little wind at 11AM we had crept about three miles out into Chesapeake Bay, even discussing returning home to wait for the next weather window a few weeks from now. Suddenly we could see blue sky overhead. Five minutes later the fog around us had cleared completely leaving only small random patches. Feeling very lucky we turned the boat towards the open ocean, totally abandoning Plan B. 

Our course took us to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel, which separates Chesapeake Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. A half mile away the bridge was completely lost in the fog. Proceeding carefully we could soon make out the form of the bridge right where we hoped it would be.  As we maneuvered in the current to make final alignment to pass under the bridge the fog rapidly disappeared showing us miles of beautiful ocean under clear skies just beyond the bridge. The running tide swept us out into the promising expanse of the Atlantic Ocean and we were on our way!  Happy dances ensued.

With the exception of severe fog warnings the entire way, the offshore weather forecast was very good.   The fog never appeared again once we left the Chesapeake. The forecast for good sailing winds also did not appear, requiring use of motors to cover the 220 offshore miles. Lois was pleased to have good moonlight for the two nights underway. Overall it was a very smooth and uneventful passage. 

In previous offshore legs we had used set 3hr shifts, but this time we elected to allow our natural sleep clocks to kick in. This ended up as a rotation of 2 hrs on, 2 hrs off, 2 hrs together (for cooking, eating and planning).

While Brent was resting Lois saw a very large Atlantic Manta Ray, at least 15ft across, playing in the sunlight at the water's surface, flipping its wings up & down obviously enjoying the sensation of air and warmth on its skin.  She's checking that box on her Life Bucket List!

We rounded Diamond Shoals Buoy at Cape Hatarras in beautiful flat turquoise seas and warm air, everyone sitting on the bow.  Sam gave the buoy a bark or two to make sure it knew to not get too close to her boat.  It was  warm enough for Lois to take her nap between watches lying on the foredeck in the sun. 

A blazing red sunset began the 2nd night

and we arrived at Point Lookout NC around 1 AM.    We were glad to have been here in daylight on a few previous trips, so that even with the changes a few hurricanes had made (like the entrance buoy now being a quarter mile past the location on the chart!) we knew where we wanted to anchor in the completely empty harbor.  Anchor down; it's time for some well earned sleep.


Comments

Jane said…
Loving the maps!!😉
January 5, 2023 at 9:07 AM
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