03/22/2025 ICW Day 81 : Is Might Right?

by Brian · Published March 22, 2025 · Updated April 4, 2025

After weeks of navigating the ICW, we’d finally reached Virginia, our fifth and final state of the journey! We left early today because a strong South Westerly was predicted. Normally, we might try to avoid winds this strong, but we figured that it would be possible to hug the shoreline if things got too crazy. I think we have both become more comfortable on the boat, and we just wore our wetsuits and reefed the sail instead, which worked splendidly. We clocked our fastest average speed ever as a result.

There aren’t too many activities when you can get a lot of adrenaline from going 8mph, but that “push you back in your seat” acceleration is often on par with rides I have taken in Teslas for that explicit purpose.

The thrill of speed didn’t last forever, though—soon we were back to dealing with our “inferiority complex” lane-mates. For example, a tug saw us under sail, and rather than take the logical straight line to the next channel marker, they headed straight for us. Also, instead of contacting us on the VHF to tell us what they were doing, a guy came out on deck and made a shoving motion with his arm, indicating that we should get the hell out of his way.

We did.

But not everyone was averse to using the VHF. When the bridge rotated for its scheduled opening at 12:30 pm, we heard the bridge operator on the radio saying to the other sailboat waiting,

“What the hell is that contraption!?”

Later he commented about the “unusual”sailing vessel that had just gone through.

That was us.

Janet helped pilot us around the obstructions in the very narrow waterway. There are stumps and crab traps that can cause us a world of hurt.
“Look out for that gray crab trap!” she exclaimed—only for it to become the first crab trap to avoid US. Turns out, it was a river otter.

We stopped early after turning West, into the wind. Once again, tall trees caused the wind to swirl from 360 different degrees. This made trimming the sail frustrating. Tomorrow, favorable but light winds are predicted for our last day on the water! As we settled in at camp, I couldn’t help but be a little sad that this journey is almost over.

Photos:

One of my favorite parts of this trip has been the sunrises - listening to the birds and being up early with the aquatic life. Doing this day after day has a calming effect on the soul.

Goodbye, shelter from the storm!

Here is the bridge. It is 4 feet high. It was scheduled to open 5 minutes after we arrived. We actually could have slipped beneath it because there was a 4 foot gap. We need about 3.5 feet of clearance with the sail down.

Get outta my way; might is right!

Janet and I found a place that looked like a “junk pile” on the satellite and decided to camp there. As I was plotting the junk pile, I couldn’t help but notice that we were also quite close to « Mount Trashmore »

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Strava Comments:

Matt C.

Brian, Janet, I believe this is my first time commenting on your Strava (I started following you years back when you were the first person to do the TDLP in under 24 hours). Since then I've loved following the two of you and your exploits around the world (your West Africa trip was off the charts crazy/awesome!) Janet is my hero here, my wife wouldn't do an hour on the Red Lobster, and quite honestly I'd be pretty terrified myself I think (and I'm a water-dog from birth). I lived in VA Beach for years (retired Navy, was stationed in Norfolk twice). Funny you mention Mt Trashmore...the highest spot in the entire area. It's an OLD landfill they turned into a park. What could possibly go wrong with all the outgassing and toxic stuff in a landfill, so lets have families hanging out and picnicing and such on it. Have loved following this trip because it's so audacious! Someday I hope to meet you both (I live not too far south of you...Santa Maria) and recently retired so have time on my side. Enjoy the end of the line, I know from even my meager adventures there's a "what do we do NOW?" after every one, and some re-acclimatizing myself to 'home'. Can't wait to see your NEXT adventure...you are both seriously living every day to the max and I applaud you both! Safe travels home!

Anne F.

Another trip where I wonder during the first days "Are they -really- going to manage that whole route!?!?" and once again here you both are at the end of something spectacular. Bravo team.

Mark G.

Brian Lucido and Janet Wagner Matt's comment speaks volumes. He is one of many that admires your spirit and enjoys vicariously experiencing your amazing and challenging exploits.