Deltaville to Deep Creek

Deep Creek Lock, VA

36 44.96 N 076 20.20 W

What joy! I was surprised at the emotional rush of joy both Libby and I experienced as Tarwathie splashed yesterday morning. Even though our stay in Deltaville was very pleasant, we apparently have a strong attachment to Tarwathie being in her natural indicator to how emotionally attached we have become to Tarwathie, our home.

I had slight hope of being able to return to Norfolk under sail. Nope. There was too little wind. Three or four times Libby or I detected a rush of breeze on our cheeks and scrambled to unfurl the foresail. It was pure wishful thinking. The breezes never lasted more than a couple of minutes.

Our timing was also bad. We had tidal currents against us for almost the whole day. Oh well, we couldn't have left at midnight.

I was determined to get past the urban hustle bustle and ugliness of Norfolk and Portsmouth, and to anchor for the night in the bucolic natural beauty of Deep Creek. The limiting factor was the Gilmerton draw bridge; the only draw bridge we are required to pass in the Norfolk area. During the week this month, they're doing bridge work. The bridge opens only once every 2 hours after 8PM. We needed to buy diesel fuel in Norfolk, and to make the bridge before 8.

Estimating our progress was difficult because of the strong and constantly changing currents. Our speed soared as high as 6.7 knots and sank as low as 3.2 knots at the same RPM. For the last 10 miles, I really poured on the steam, hardly pausing to admire the 5 spectacular aircraft carriers and other warships we passed. Despite my efforts, our final ETA at the Ocean Marine Center fuel dock was only 15 seconds before they closed for the day. We stopped instead at Tidewater Marina, our second choice.

After fueling it was back to full steam. I figured 7:40 to reach the bridge. Then we came across a surprise. A railroad bridge that I have never seen closed before was down. A very long train moving at the speed of a slow walk was crossing. Oh no! After what seemed like an infinite wait, the bridge opened. We made the Gilmerton bridge at 7:55, with only 5 miles to spare.

Our reward came this morning. We awoke to a beautiful and quiet scene in Deep Creek. Mist rose off the water's surface. It could have been the Mohawk River in upstate New York, except that there are no hills in sight.

Next comes the Great Dismal Swamp Canal and the Posquatank River; our favorite stretch on the whole migration route.