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We decided we’d leave Onancock and go south to Cape Charles.  We spent an hour winding our way back out of Onancock Creek, but at least we had a track line to follow.  The water was as slick as glass going out until we entered the Bay, where the seas were a little more than the 1-2 feet advertised by NOAA.  We were dead into the wind and taking wave after wave over our bow until we reached the ship channel marker to turn south.    At that point we raised the main and then the head sail, which steadied the boat somewhat, but not dramatically.  We were definitely rocking and rolling down the Bay, but the wind was seldom over 10 knots.  We shut the motor off at one point, but our estimated time jumped from 1 hour to 3 hours to arriving at a waypoint, so we were soon motor-sailing again.  Still, it was quite a long day, almost 8 hours.  When I fixed lunch, I told Bill it was definitely a challenge to keep my balance and spread the mayo and mustard, and even harder to bring the sandwiches to the cockpit. 

We had to travel well past Cape Charles and then turn north into the channel.  Our marina was located on Kings Bay which was past the Cape Charles Harbor, probably 5 or 6 miles of heading back north.  It was a scary passage with skinny water, sharp turns, and the navigator and captain had to coordinate and be alert.  As we entered the harbor basin, Bill said, “We’re going aground, we’re going aground.”  But, even though the depth sounder registered under 4 feet, we made it into the harbor.  We pulled up to the fuel dock and the dock hand said we’d entered at dead low tide and that many boats had gone aground at the point where Bill was prophesying a grounding.  After taking on fuel, we made our way to our slip.  This is a terrific marina with floating docks, sans cowboy pilings.  We were soon tied up safely.  The Dutchman flaking system that Bill had dismantled in Onancock really needs repair.  With light winds, Bill was able to flake the main sail, but it would be really difficult in stronger winds.  We spent some time trying to straighten out the lines, and tomorrow, Bill will work on putting the Dutchman lines back through the sail. 

We had showers in far different ones than last night (stone surrounds with benches) instead of plastic curtains and stained molded fiberglass.  Then after a drink we went to Aqua Restaurant.  We had a wonderful dinner, probably the best on our journey.  Lovely surroundings, an astounding sunset over the Bay, exceptional salad and dinners (I’ve become enamored of soft-shell crab), and nice wine to top it off.  Bill has already hit the hay and I’m not far behind, but wanted to get this posted tonight.  Sorry for no new pictures, but they will follow.  I’m sure you will notice that this post is in three parts.  That’s the only way I can figure out how to do the map thing and show the ports we go to.