boomerang
Guru
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2016
- Messages
- 1,399
- Location
- united states
- Vessel Name
- Wandering Star
- Vessel Make
- PSN40
We'll , it looks like we've overstayed our welcome on the Chesapeake Bay.
Last year we headed South over the Thanksgiving holiday and ended up running a few extra long days to be able to stay ahead of a weather front and to be able to make a deadline so Liz could return to work. We enjoy the trip as much as the destination and would've liked to had not been so rushed ,so as to maybe enjoy a little more what the trip has to offer, regarding anchorages and towns.
Which is why we decided on heading South this year over the Christmas holiday, where Liz has more time off and ,in theory, more time to enjoy the trip. Winters here on the lower Chesapeake normally don't get freezing cold until after New Year. Which is why we thought we could make a delayed departure work.
I realize weather forecasting is not too reliable for more than a few days into the future. Here's where the Grinch has invited himself onboard. Windfinder uses the GFS model, which has been as accurate as any, and our departure date of Dec 22 isn't doable for a days run to Norfolk. We tentatively have a window on the next day, Friday the 23rd. It's supposed to be bad luck to start a trip on a Friday, I hear.
So we make it down the bay a day late, on Friday, to at least Portsmouth mile 0 or better yet, Great Bridge. Which is where the temps are forecast to drop below freezing ALL DAY SATURDAY. This is after Fridays heavy rain which can, as I've witnessed first hand, freeze a drawbridges locking mechanism ,closing it to marine traffic.
Then , if by some miracle, the Centerville & North Landing Bridges do open, will we be lucky enough to get behind a tug to clear the ice that is no doubt going to form on the calm fresh water of the VA cut? I've seen that too, in warmer temps of the high 20's in the early morning followed by warming temps later in the morning. I can't imagine what we're in for with the daytime high never getting out of the 20's.
Yes indeed, methinks this years trip could be an adventure. We're keeping a close watch on the forecast. Hopefully, ol' Grinchy will find another boat to spend the Holidays on and we can enjoy our Christmas dinner of crockpot roast beast onboard, just the 2 of us.
Last year we headed South over the Thanksgiving holiday and ended up running a few extra long days to be able to stay ahead of a weather front and to be able to make a deadline so Liz could return to work. We enjoy the trip as much as the destination and would've liked to had not been so rushed ,so as to maybe enjoy a little more what the trip has to offer, regarding anchorages and towns.
Which is why we decided on heading South this year over the Christmas holiday, where Liz has more time off and ,in theory, more time to enjoy the trip. Winters here on the lower Chesapeake normally don't get freezing cold until after New Year. Which is why we thought we could make a delayed departure work.
I realize weather forecasting is not too reliable for more than a few days into the future. Here's where the Grinch has invited himself onboard. Windfinder uses the GFS model, which has been as accurate as any, and our departure date of Dec 22 isn't doable for a days run to Norfolk. We tentatively have a window on the next day, Friday the 23rd. It's supposed to be bad luck to start a trip on a Friday, I hear.
So we make it down the bay a day late, on Friday, to at least Portsmouth mile 0 or better yet, Great Bridge. Which is where the temps are forecast to drop below freezing ALL DAY SATURDAY. This is after Fridays heavy rain which can, as I've witnessed first hand, freeze a drawbridges locking mechanism ,closing it to marine traffic.
Then , if by some miracle, the Centerville & North Landing Bridges do open, will we be lucky enough to get behind a tug to clear the ice that is no doubt going to form on the calm fresh water of the VA cut? I've seen that too, in warmer temps of the high 20's in the early morning followed by warming temps later in the morning. I can't imagine what we're in for with the daytime high never getting out of the 20's.
Yes indeed, methinks this years trip could be an adventure. We're keeping a close watch on the forecast. Hopefully, ol' Grinchy will find another boat to spend the Holidays on and we can enjoy our Christmas dinner of crockpot roast beast onboard, just the 2 of us.