Mill Creek Kilmarnock Virginia

Dave set the alarm for 5:00 am and woke me at 5:45 with a hot cup of coffee. We've been in Hampton for three nights but today we're heading north again. Susan and David knew that we wanted to leave early so they came to our dock at 6:30 to see us off. Of course, we were not ready to leave on time. They returned to Veritas with our promise to motor by on our way out of Southhall Landing.

We left at half falling tide but there was plenty of water in the channel for us to slowly slip through and make our way out into Chesapeake Bay. Conditions were very calm with just enough wind to raise our main and jib. We moved gently at a 2-4 mph pace for an hour or so until our sails flopped and refused to fill. We started our engine and put the sun awning up to hide from the heat and UV rays. The sun can be brutal and unrelentless. when we're out in the elements for 10-12 hours a day. 

We passed Wolf Trap abandoned lighthouse around noon. Although we had a very long day of motoring, it was peaceful and easy. Our plan was to anchor off Wicamico River at Mill Creek for the night. Just as we began our entry into the river, a huge fishing boat flew past us leaving an enormous wake. We had to swing Mystic 45 degrees to jump the wake so we were not swamped. It amazes us how often this happens. There's all that water out there yet some boats need to blast past within a couple of yards, leaving a wake that causes havoc to our personal property and forward motion. We'll never understand this mentality. Courtesy on the water should be the norm! In most of the places we've been, captains are responsible for damages caused by their wake, but it doesn't seem to deter irresponsible boating.

Dave at the helm

Love seeing the sails full

Dave looking for wind

Enjoying an easy day on the Chesapeake

Wolf Trap abandoned light

We left the Wicamico River to turn up Mill Creek then meandered slowly through the well marked channel to a lovely anchorage off of the town of Kilmarnock, Virginia. Susan and David let us borrow the William Shellenberger book, Cruising the Chesapeake: A Gunkholers Guide. It covers more than 3,000 miles of the Chesapeake Bay, offering choice anchorages off the beaten path including this one at Mill Creek. Today, it is windy in the creek but we hope the breeze will keep the bugs down and cool the boat. We found a spot just outside a channel marker in 12 feet of water. Another sailboat joined us before the sun set. We rocked and bobbed in the constant waves all night long but we slept well.

A cross overlooking Mill Creek

Quaint Private Dock

Homes line Mill Creek

Surrounded by pine forrest

Our view on Mill Creek

Sailboat anchored at Mill Creek with us

Even though we are tucked inside of a sheltered cove, the waves from the bay found us. They curve around points of land and flow into attached coves and rivers. This caused us to rock all night long. It wasn't the kind of rocking that kept us awake though. It was more like being in a hammock, swinging between two trees.

When we woke in the morning we were treated to a beautiful sunrise. It gave us energy and enthusiasm for the day ahead. Our next stop is the Solomon Islands where we will anchor in another Mill Creek. It will be interesting to compare the two.

Our sunrise at Mill Creek

Good Morning Mill Creek