Finally Southbound, the 2023 Edition!
When we left the dock last Wednesday, it felt a bit like an escape from a detention center. I’m not sure either of us, Jeremy in particular, realized just how draining this slog to get Mischief ready to go south would be. Finally moving, as late as it was, was liberating.
Ahhhhh
The weather has been about as you might expect. A couple of cold and rainy days, a few bright cold sunshine blustery ones. We’d initially thought we’d go straight overnight down the Bay from Annapolis to Norfolk, but cold grey drizzle combined with forecast-to-increase blustery winds had us tucking into Solomon’s instead. From there we did another run to Deltaville, followed by a screaming fast sleigh ride to Hampton on Sunday. And now we’re in the ICW proper, with no opportunity to go outside until we hit Beaufort. That’s fine.
Love the Dismal Swamp
We could have chosen to go offshore around Hatteras (although the weather wasn’t exactly cooperating fully) but really wanted another stop in Elizabeth City.
Mischief has been running well. We’ve had some glorious sailing, both upwind and downwind, and now we’re largely going to play motorboat for the next couple of hundred miles. We’ll get a few projects done, stash some more stuff, and settle in for cruising life while anchoring each night. It’s not a bad way to begin this trip!
Downwind sailing
Some highlight photos for your enjoyment!
Our friends Tom and Cabell braved beltway traffic to take us to dinner in Annapolis
Bay Bridge astern in late afternoon light
Tree encounter debris
Cold but proud and happy