Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Chesapeake and Potomac River


Wow are we impressed with the sailing grounds in the Chesapeake Bay!  It bears respect akin to the respect for the ocean. There is a local cliche “the Chesapeake Chop”, for how rough it can get. And there are so many deep water rivers to explore!!

Our first trip up a River was to Yorktown on the York River. We had to anchor across from the famous battleground because the current can be up to 3 knots at the marina there. A few days soaking up a little Revolutionary  War history. 

Next stop was Deltaville where there was a lot of boat building back in the days of wooden boats. The Maritime Museum there was fantastic!  We spent a whole week there in a cozy anchorage. We paid a small fee and had full use of marina facilities for the week. 

One afternoon in the anchorage, Darrell decided it was time to clean the boat bottom. He didn’t don a wetsuit and he regretted that decision for a few days!  He was stung by sea nettles in several places - some very private!!  He’s decided that he was paid back for not being sensitive enough with dive and snorkel customers about their stings. He will be a lot more courteous and sympathetic going forward. 

On the advice of a friend and former dive customer, we rounded that peninsula to go see Urbanna. We were lucky enough to have dinner with Mark. A lovely town off the Rappahannock River. Some of y’all may remember the pictures of the old pharmacy bottles and soda counter. The general store was closed or we would have spent a few hours in there too. 

Reedville was the next stop on the same river. This little town is known as the Menhaden Capital.  They make omega oil and chum (fish bait) there. Imagine the odor if you can.....  We moved anchor spots a couple times based on wind direction. 

Next was the famous Potomac River of Revolutionary days. It is 100 miles up the river to reach Washington DC. Since we travel so slowly, it was a few days passage to reach our ultimate destination. The tidal flow in the river reaches a few knots and in a slow boat is a force to be reckoned with. We spent three or four nights in gorgeous waterside locations. 

And finally, we were rewarded for our efforts. We came by the National Harbor, under the Woodrow Wilson Bridge to begin seeing the easily recognized Washington Monument. We spent five nights on a mooring across from the Wharf. We did the first day without much of a plan and spent a lot of time walking. After that, we purchased tickets on a trolly tour to save our energy. We still put a few miles under our feet on those days too. We only had enough time to hit the highlights but we thoroughly enjoyed what we did see. Each Smithsonian museum needs at least a day or more so we only skimmed the surface in these. We saw the Arlington National Cemetery and the changing of the guard at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier. We saw war memorials and presidential monuments. We even took a water taxi ride back to National Harbor and did a little gambling in the MGM casino there.  Our nations capital did not disappoint!

The trip up the Potomac was a lesson in tidal flow (current) and wind direction. You know, we try to sail as much of the time as we can. It’s difficult to do in a narrow channel with the wind direction that always follows the course of the river!  However, we paid a little attention going back down river and at least used the flow to augment our efforts. It paid off with greater distances traveled per day and less frustration for the crew. The wind - well you can’t do much about that. 

Except pay attention to the afternoon squalls that develop and bring storms to cool off this heat. Our second day south we were doing that - watching the sky. Sure enough, around five or six PM there were developing squalls all around us. We headed into a creek and found a lovely spot to anchor. The storm came and went but was fierce with wind, lightening and a little rain. When the weather seemed calm enough, we went to bed. 

About 10:30, something woke Ann (she’s the light sleeper of the crew).  We had dragged anchor and were aground - listing to starboard. Unfortunately, it wasn’t low tide yet. For the next four plus hours, we leaned over to approximately 15-20 degrees. Nothing to do until daylight and tides to make getting her off possible. So Ann finally went to sleep and so did poor Roxy. It was difficult to walk at that slant for our aging canine!!  Morning came (with it high tide) and we started Alibi up and moved our anchor to a deeper location!!!  No problem!!

And I must add, things like this never happen when you are prepared!  We were starting to think about where we need to get fuel next. The windlass is acting up. AND most importantly, Darrell is out of cigarettes. 

So the next morning we were going to a marina close by to get fuel. We spoke to the dock master about the depths in the channel and according to him should have had enough water to come in and buy fuel. WRONG!!  Next to the second channel marker we were aground - stuck again right at 12 hours since the last escapade!!  With Darrell in the dinghy and me in the big boat, we were able to free ourselves. Fuel stop # 2 scratched!  

About twenty miles on down the river is a large river and Darrell spoke to them yesterday and they had fuel. So, off we go with enough wind to motorsail for a change. We have anchored in another lovely scenic little creek and the marina does not answer the phone or the radio. Meanwhile, Darrell is out of cigarettes and we are getting low on fuel. Stay tuned. . . .

Saturday, August 3, 2019

Unfortunately, these are not in the correct sequence but I had a difficult time loading them and some didn't load at all.  I wanted to have some pictures here since not everyone can view the ones I post on Facebook.  

Ann giving a shot to Buster the goat.  Roxy supervising.

Farmer Ann

One of the baby sheep - lamb?

Darrell and the former owner of Alibi - Dick.

After 10 years, we're still friends with our former boat owner!

A replica of one of Columbus's ships.

Sights in Beaufort, SC.

Love these old buildings in SC

We got to celebrate Jan's birthday in North Carolina!

Alibi without her mast - a first time for us!

Heading back to water!

Memorial Day tow!  UGH!!!!

Out with the old transmission.....

In with the new

So pretty and new!
  
Caboose in Belhaven on Independence Day









The mascot of Norfolk, VA


Beautiful Japanese Garden in Norfolk

Battleship Wisconsin


Deck with anchor chain of the Wisconsin.




Displays all over in Nautilus.

Statistics for the ship.

Where she served.

Another mascot sculpture.

Darrell went sailing in this boat



Brick sculpture in Portsmouth, VA.



Boat building shed at the museum






Sculptures in the park at the Maritime Museum.


A Chesapeake sailing skiff in the museum.

Deer are everywhere here in NC and VA!!

Our carriage in Beaufort SC for a downtown tour.

Mama and ducklings swimming by our boat.

Beginning of the festivities in Bath, NC for Memorial Day.

Letter from a nurse during WWII at a Veterans Memorial in Norfolk, VA.

Some statistics from the USS Wisconsin.

Handmade boat Darrell got to go sailing in near Norfolk.

Danny from Downeast BBQ Boys!