Enter the ICW, Virginia

(Stock photo, ICW, )
(**you can see a bridge opening at the top of the photo, and the sailboats going in line down the waterway.)



Brian and Randy had a rough night last night. The wind and waves increased, and the clouds obscured the moonlight, so they sailed in total blackness with 4-10 foot seas. It was difficult to manage the helm for hours, as the weather was too strong for the Autopilot to take over. They tried to take turns sleeping, but the weather and seasickness prevented true rest. It seems the weather was only going to persist or worsen, so due to exhaustion they decided to turn towards shore.





At about 4:00am today they entered the Intracoastal Waterway near the Chesapeake area of Virginia. Because of timing to enter a bridge, they anchored for 3 hours and got some much-needed sleep. After that, they motored into the ICW, passing the massive Portsmouth US Navy Shipyard and now are proceeding down the channels without waves. It is much calmer. They must use only the engine, and cannot sail, since this area is more like a river. In the first few hours they went under at least 6 bridges, some of which had to be opened on schedule and required waiting.





Here is wikipedia's description of the ICW:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intracoastal_Waterway



or this site, which is a Guide Book, helping cruisers know where to stop along the way:
http://www.cruiseguides.com/ME2/Default.asp


I'm hoping they will get a chance to really fully sleep today...