Frankenstorm Part II, D- Day

October 28 -29, 2012 Sunday and Monday 

It's not the hurricane itself that is our problem, it is the storm surge.  The hurricane models are showing that "Sandy" would not be a direct hit in Norfolk now. One of the problems however, is that the Wind Fields for this monster are huge. Areas within a 600+ mile radius are being severely impacted. Norfolk has shelters filling up,  New York had closed the subway system.  Evacuations were taking place in many cities.  Flooding was a serious problem with the continuous heavy rain, Norfolk has "enjoyed" 10-12 inches in 72 hours.
We had the weather station on the hotel TV  for most of the day because "Sandy" reports had changed hourly.  She was downgraded to a tropical storm for about an hour then was upgraded to a hurricane again, the next report indicated that  "she is intensifying".
Sunday morning we watched the fixed docks in the marina disappear under water.  Sailors that chose to stay on their boats could not get to land during high tide.  The floating docks rolled up their cement dock posts leaving less than 2 feet before they would break away, with the boats attached, to float away, crashing into each other and everything else in their path.  The dock hands attempted a make- shift solution for the next high tide should it exceed 7 feet.  They tied the floating docks slides to higher fixed posts.  The consensus was that they could not hold to the force of the pressure and weight.
We watched  helplessly as the fixed docks disappeared again under water an hour before the evening high tide, more than occurred in the morning.  The floating dock slides had 21 inches left on the post once the high tide peaked.  "Chasseur" survived Sunday night high tide.  We went to bed with a high tide prediction of  6.5 - 7.3 feet for Monday morning.  This would give us only 2 inches before the docks breakaway if the tide reaches 7.5 feet.  0947hrs Monday was our D-Day.
Suzanne wanted to  be able to say that she walked in a hurricane, so we took a short walk to "Hell"s Kitchen" restaurant for dinner.  We thought it appropriate.  Food was good.  The streets were empty...just rain and wind.
Monday we woke to a weather forecast that indicated that the surge high tide would be a bit lower than predicted last night to 6.8ft, due to the change of wind direction out of the Northwest.  We sat in front of the hotel window and watched the tide go up and up and up, with glances at the clock waiting for the peak hour.  0947 hrs arrived and whew!....we still had about 12 inches to go on the cement posts...CHASSEUR SURVIVED!!!!!  For those of you that had been praying for us...your prayers were answered and THANK YOU!
This has been the most incredibly powerful experience. One obvious lesson, "Don"t Mess With Mother Nature!!"  Monday, the Coast Guard closed all waterways, Chesapeake Bay, Hampton Roads, The Tunnel across the bay, Intracoastal Waterways, bridges, locks, you name it, it's CLOSED!  The Erie Canal Authority closed the Erie Canal Friday and brought the Canal down to winter water levels,  all boats in the Canal were required to get hauled out.  Over 9000 flights have been canceled.  "Sandy" is affecting everyone now, moving in to the Midwest as well.  Even our own Hailing Port of Muskegon, Michigan, 1900 nm away, will feel this storm.   The HMS Bounty tall ship (of famed 1962 movie, "Mutiny of the Bounty" and  later, "Pirates of the Caribbean") just sank outside Cape Hatteras, 14 crew members survived and have been rescued, 2 are still missing.
The rain and wind have intensified.  We will be in Norfolk until later in the week.

"The only good luck many great men ever had was being born with the ability and determination to overcome bad luck."

Channing Pollock

Dock Ice machine blown over

Fixed dock posts just above the water, dock is submerged,  water covering the brick walk,
the fixed dock actually sits below the brick walk

Look for the cement post just behind "Chasseur",  the dock slides up and down this post with the tide.
If the dock would go above the post the docks would be free and go floating away with all the boats.
In this photo we had around 12 inches to spare at the surge high tide.....Lucky !!!

Frankenstorm 2012

October 26 - 27, 2012 Friday - Saturday

We find it hard to believe that we are at "ground zero" for this enormous storm they are calling "Frankenstorm".   We were told that we should start to worry if the Navy ships were to leave port.  Friday all 24 ships departed.  That got our attention!  We have spent the last two days preparing "Chasseur" for the worst,  she is as ready as she can be for what is about to occur.
 We know that all our blog followers and family are concerned,  we have been receiving many emails, texts and phone calls regarding our location and status.  This post is to let everyone know that we are safe and sound.    We chose to, and have abandoned ship for a couple of reasons.  The forecast rain, (up to 12 inches) steady winds, (beyond 55+ kts.)  are going to be non-stop for many days, and we just did not want to be sitting on the boat for that! The temperature will also drop drastically when "Sandy" and the cold front finish with each other.    It is expect that "Chasseur" is going to be bucking wildly in her slip when the wind and waves arrive....just does not sound like fun to us.
Friday, Terry had fluid on his right knee aspirated at the Virginia Beach Sports Medicine Institute.  He injured his knee back in June and it has continued to become a problem. This was another reason to get off of the boat, and get his knee up.  He is now in an immobilizer and cannot bend his knee for a few days, not conducive to getting on and off a wild sailboat, and slippery dock.  So....we are on the 21st floor of the Marriott Hotel adjacent to the marina where we can study "Chasseur" from our window.  Now we wait....... the storm should hit hard here Sunday and Monday!

"Trouble faced at a time and place of your own choosing is far better than a surprise attack at sea during a storm."

Herb Payson

Recuperating in the Marriott

Marina view from the hotel window

Navy ships at dry dock (photos from hotel window)

110 foot yacht in our marina

Norfolk, VA

October 24 -25, 2012 Wednesday-Thursday

It was just 2 hours to cross Hampton Roads, the body of water from Fort Monroe to Norfolk, VA.  Hampton Roads is one of the largest natural harbors in the world.  It was so exciting to enter the Elizabeth River to the United States Navy Docks.  The enormity of the ships and their docking facilities was an incredible sight.  Just further down are international docks for cargo ships and cruise liners.  We tied up just a little south at Waterside Marina  in Downtown, Norfolk. We could  easily walk through downtown, and the U.S.S. Wisconsin Battleship was located practically next to us.  The weather was beautiful with temperatures in the 70's - 80 and sunny, it felt so good.  The marina provides free taxis to a nice grocery store. The city has free transportation via electric cars that deliver anyone to wonderful restaurants, shopping and art museums, etc.
We visited the Nauticus Maritime Museum that includes a tour of the battleship "Wisconsin".  The museum had marine life on display and a comprehensive review of maritime history, but it was the battleship that was most interesting to us.  The "Wisconsin" was built in 1944,  an incredible ship.  Her sea trials took place here in the Elizabeth River where we are tied up now.  She attained speeds never before and never again achieved by any battleship at 39 kts or nearly 50 mph, during her sea trials.  The 16 inch guns fired a 2700 pound projectile, as well as a 1900 pound shell over 20 miles!  The "Wisconsin" went into retirement after the Desert Storm War.
The city is speckled with artistic mermaids, quite beautiful.  They say that the poles they sit on go right to the water and if you put your head to their chest you can hear the sea.  Suzanne gave it a try on several and never heard a thing.  The city must get a kick out of tourists running around putting their heads on the mermaids chests.
We had perfect weather to move on down the River but we were torn with the news of Hurricane "Sandy".  If we moved, we would arrive in Coinjock, N.C. in 2 days, where we would wait for a perfect weather window to cross Abermarle Sound.  There is not anything in Coinjock, so if we have to wait for the weather window to cross the Sound we would not be in a pleasant place for the hurricane.  If we only went part way we would be stuck in Atlantic Yacht Basin that does not have much in the way of facilities, boats would be rafting, not a good option in 50-70 kts of wind.  There was  a lot of discussion on the docks about our options.  If we stay where we are, we could be dealing with wild tide surges.  We are tied up to floating docks, if the tide goes up over the pilings the boats in the marina will come loose and smash everywhere and everything.  After much discussion with the dock master, other sailors and locals, and using the same "filter" we have used regarding bad weather forecasts before...."where would we rather be if we get stuck somewhere?", we decided to stay in Norfolk.   We could be here for a week or more.  It was not a bad decision, and maybe not a good decision but it was "a" decision!
Now that we had made our decision, it was time to start to enjoy Norfolk.  We visited the "free" Chrysler Art Museum with new friends Larry and Rose Ray on S/V "IRAZU", who had decided to ride out "Sandy" here in Norfolk as well.  The art museum is a must see,  a great collection of a wide variety of artists, art styles and mediums, most of which was donated by the wife of Walter P. Chrysler Jr. (of Chrysler Corporation) after his death.  It was hard to believe that one person could own so much art and artifacts.

"From the right point of view, every storm and every drop in it is a rainbow."  

Henry David Thoreau

Coming into the Elizabeth River and approaching the Navy ship yard

More Navy ships

And More...this is a  missile ship, there were 2 of these

Tug blowing off some steam

Pelicans are plentiful here, a sign of changing climate

One of many mermaids throughout the city of Norfolk

U.S.S. Wisconsin

Battleship Wisconsin

16 inch guns on the deck of the Wisconsin

16 inch shell

Ships Bell

Venomous lionfish, native of Asia, Australia, and South pacific now an invasive species along the East Coast

Shark tank, also a "petting" tank if you had the courage

Horseshoe crab

Seahorse tank

Solar powered free transportation for Downtown Norfolk,  they are called F.R.E.D., Free Ride Every Day

Mural at the entrance of the Chrylser Art Museum, finger painted with thumb

Don't know if you call this art, but these pods were in a room at the museum,
if you clap your hands or stomp your feet  all the pods start to  move

"Moving Art", changed colors and flowing objects

Fort Monroe, VA

October 22, 2012 Monday

It was another sunrise departure.  It was important for us to leave as early as possible today.  We had to complete 52 nautical miles with the little daylight available to us for this time of year.  There was great hope for a little wind to push us along.  Our wish came true,  for most of the day we had a northwest wind 10 kts, with our main sail, a favorable tide and waves we were pushed down the Chesapeake Bay.   We made great time, much better than we expected and approached Fort Monroe, Virginia early enough to tour Fort Monroe. Terry wanted to visit his birth place, so we wheeled right into Old Point Comfort Marina next to the entrance of the fort. Terry's father was stationed here while in the Army.  The Fort's grounds and housing were beautiful.  No longer a military base many of the residences are for lease.
Fort Monroe is the largest stone fortification ever built in the United States.  Construction began in 1819 and continued for 15 years.  Robert E. Lee was stationed here from 1831-1834 as a lieutenant of engineers, he had complete charge of the construction on the Fort.

Another beautiful sunrise departure, leaving Reedville, VA

Sailing past Fort Monroe

Fort Monroe residence from the water

Once the famous Chamberlin Hotel, built in 1930's, next to Fort Monroe

Mote around the Fort

More mote views

Old Fort Comfort Lighthouse, built 1802, remains an active navigational aid.
During War of 1812 the tower was used as a look out by a British Invasion force while they attacked Washington.

Robert E. Lee's house while stationed at Fort Monroe 1831-1834

Not a Fort without artillery

Carrier departing Norfolk, VA

Sailors atop of the carrier

Inside the Chamberlin, now a retirement home, but also houses an award winner restaurant  (yes we had dinner there)

Outside the Chamberlin

On to Deltaville, VA

October 18 - 21, 2012 Thursday-Sunday

Weather kept us in Reedville 2 more nights, but the anchorage was peaceful and serene.  We set out for Deltaville on Saturday morning just after daybreak.  It was great fun.  Leaving Sandy Point we were greeted by a pod of dophins and the estimated 6 hour transit turned out to 4.5 hours with a good wind direction and speed , we raised the main sail and took off at 7 kts.
We were happy to arrive in a port that did not have crab pots!  Weather forecasts looked like we would be leaving Deltaville the next day, so we grabbed a slip and hustled to get laundry, a boat wash , and provisioning done.  As usual things don't go as planned and Sunday greeted us with a small craft advisory, 20 kts and 3-4 ft waves.  We chose to stay in Deltaville another day.
The marina had bikes for cruiser use, so the crews of "Mistress" and "Chasseur" set out on a bike adventure.  We rode all over Deltaville, a true sailors haven, with marinas and sailboats everywhere.  We rode out to Stingray Point.  Story has it that Captain John Smith who led 2 exploratory voyages to Chesapeake Bay, ran aground in the Rappahannock River, waiting for high tide to float them away, Smith spent the time impaling fish with his sword.  He speared a stingray that sank it's tail into his wrist.  Smith survived the sting and had the "ray" for dinner, proclaiming the place "Stingray Point".
We had "bike" problems along the way.  The chains kept falling off Muriel and Suzanne's bikes.  Being creative sailors Tutty and Terry solved the problem with tools found on the side of a building (see photo), and so it was, the "Tutty and Terry Bike Shop".  We stopped at a local cafe for lunch and met up with fellow cruisers Elizabeth and Joe from S/V "Sao Miguel"  with whom we have crossed rhumb lines before.  We shared our "Atlantic Ocean" stories...turned out we all were out sailing the same night when all hell broke loose.
It turned out to be a great day in beautiful Deltaville.

Biking the streets of Deltaville

"Stingray Point"

Tutty and Terry Bike Repair....it worked!

Type of boat  used by Captain John Smith to explore the
 Chesapeake Bay