Voyage 2007-2008: Chapter 5

26 May 2008, The Last Long Leg, 38 46.596 N/ 076 33.846 W

We said our goodbyes to the Visitor Center staff (sadly, Judy P had retired as she had promised) and waited for the next morning. We were the first to leave as we wanted to go around 4 kts and arrive at the Deep Creek lock at 1100. The DSC was beautiful with lots of depth except for 6.5 ft around the feed ditch We learned later that the DSC is funded for a dredge for 7ft throughout the canal. We have read a lot of negative articles on transiting the DSC. Not our experience, ever! Slow and apart! That is our secret.

Still, we arrived at the Deep Creek lock and had to wait as there was some southbound traffic. Why would anybody go south this time of the year? So the fleet of 4 trawlers and Jule III had to wait. MV ETC offered to tie up first on the very tiny dock just prior to the bridge. We were quite thankful as we had never pulled in there before and they offered a raft to us. Not bad. We got two of the other trawlers on te dock. Sadly, the last of the kids had to wait in the channel.

The lockmaster at Deep Creek, Robert, led us into the basin and then into the lock chamber, It was the five of us; four trawlers and Jule. Predictions of the future? Robert is a great entertainer with his conch playing. His favorite is the blue conch. He is not bad as a lockmaster either. Actually, he is great. If you transit the DSC, be careful of Robert. Do not challenge him to conch blowing. You will lose!

We all exited the lock and we encouraged the trawlers to go ahead which they gladly did. We saw them a couple of times as we waited for bridge openings. But finally, we said goodbye as the moored in Norfolk and Jule III endured. We cleared the Norfolk area around 1500 and headed up the shipping channels (to avoid the crab lines) towards the middle Bay. As darkness covered us, the big ships appeared. Fortunately, we had AIS and could identify all of the approaching behemoths. Not bad but it was crazy this year. Early today, the sky started to brighten at 0530. Life was good. we had motor-sailed about 90 % of the time. Todal fuel usage was less than 50 galloms. Not bad.

We arrived at Herrington Harbour North at 1030 two days ago. We did a bit of cleaning, and then prepared the boat for a haul. Today she was moved from her berth, hauled, power washed, and 'anchored' on land for the Summer. Not bad. Wish us luck with Levi and Jule!!!