Dodging a Bullet

“What do you do when a bad storm comes up?” This is the one question that we are asked the most about our trip and the answer is a really easy one…we seek shelter as quickly as we can. I must clarify that statement by saying that Captain Mark is extremely conservative when it comes to traveling in inclement weather. If it looks like bad weather, we don’t travel. We have three weather reporting systems on board the Lolligag so we feel that we are able to receive the most current weather reports at any given time thus allowing us to make prudent judgments and wise decisions.

HOWEVER, weather is a cagey thing and does not always play fairly or by the rules. This is exactly what happened on the day of our departure from Olverson’s on our way north to DC. The day started off sunny, bright and warm as we departed and headed to the Potomac River. Looking at the waterway, it was kind of hard to tell when we left the actual Chesapeake Bay and entered the Potomac River, as the Potomac is five miles wide at the estuary. We were both very excited to be traveling again after our week’s rest at Olverson’s. Knowing that at our rate of speed (7 kts) we would not be able to reach DC in one day, we had planned to anchor out about half way to DC at Port Tobacco River.

After a couple of hours, we received a weather bulletin of a severe thunderstorm headed our direction. Watching the intensity of the storm and its path, Captain Mark quickly switched travel gears and plans to find a safe harbor in which to ride out the storm. I called Colonial Beach Marina and found that we could stay there for the evening. Just as I made the reservation, the Coast Guard announced that all craft should immediately seek shelter. We were within sight of Colonial Beach and the storms clouds were very quickly advancing. Without sounding too dramatic (but it was) we made it into Colonial Beach with about twenty minutes to spare before the full brunt of the storm hit. The wind and rain were as fierce as anything that I have ever seen on Lake Michigan. As most of you know, I love storms. The worse the storm, the more I like it and this truly was my kind of storm. Like most violent storms, this one lasted less than an hour before the skies cleared, the sun was back out and it was more humid than before. We were very lucky as we learned the next day several vessels were sunk within the waters of the Chesapeake during this storm. I will be the last person to pass judgment on another boater’s decisions but I will say that I trust Captain Mark’s boating instincts implicitly.

Hours on the water: 4.5
Nautical miles traveled: 32
Number of bridges to be opened: 0
Time spent waiting at bridge: 0
Next Destination: Washington, DC
What we're listening to: Finished Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick
What we watched: The storm
Lesson for the day: ALWAYS trust your captain
Obligatory knitting report: Hats & Scarves for the Wunder Kids