"Speeding" North

After a delightful three days in the OBX, we departed at 7:30am and crossed Albemarle Sound towards the Virginia Cut route. We are anxiouis to get home by Sunday (Mothers' Day) so we kept going until dark. We tied up to a free dock just south of the Great Bridge Lock.

The next day (Sat) we departed the dock just as the Great Bridge bridge opened at 6am. Continued up through Norfolk and the many bridges there. Much better to travel through there on a weekend when there are less rush hour restrictions. Entered the Chesapeake Bay at 9:10am and rode the tide up to the Potomac River. We covered 101 nm this day, a new record.

Departed the Potomac (Smith Creek) at 7am into a very rough river. The wind was blowing 15-20 from the east and the tide was running out. The seas were easily 5-6 ft. Things calmed down after rounding Pt Lookout.

Midway up the Bay, we noticed a large 'blip' on the radar behind us; looking out the read window we say the USNS Comfort no more than 1/4 mi away. We imediately turned hard starboard. Not sure what he had in mind....

Photo: USNS Comfort close abeam