(Part Two, Chesapeake Bay-the End of Summer)

07/30/13:  Had a late (1630 hours) departure from Fort Monroe to a delightful, secure & protected anchorage on Chisman Creek, off the Poquoson River, about 25 miles north on the western shore, about half way to Deltaville VA.  On the hook 1915 and had scrumptious twilight dinner at anchor.  Ah, at our first Chesapeake Bay anchorage. Quiet, peaceful-anticipating more like this over the next 10 months we are in the area.

07/31/13:  Following a pump out and pump in (30 gallons of diesel) we left anchorage @ 1000 for 41 mile run to Deltaville and the Deltaville Yachting Center. This is a 1^st class facility, competitively priced and with a Boat US 10% discount.  Arrived 6.5 hours later and were secure in slip by 1615. As we approached the slip, we were greeted and assisted by several other slip holders…..Virginia friendly! The DYC is family owned and managed. Met one couple who have lived aboard a boat for @ 35 years and had sailed everywhere. Tried a year ashore 2012-13 due to aging (maybe late 70’s); didn’t like it and had just purchased this 45 ft. sloop to resume their waterborne lifestyle. The other family was from Montreal. They had sailed to the Bahamas from Montreal @ 5 years ago with their 3 children (youngest was 10 months at the time). Lived aboard for 2 years, home schooled-parents are teachers. While returning via the Chesapeake, they discovered its charms and decided to keep their 48 ft. sloop at DYC. They spend their summer vacations cruising the Chesapeake cruising grounds. We exchanged those precious boat cards and when we reach the St Lawrence, we hope to visit once in Montreal. We enjoyed dinner with Joan, whom we met at Cape Charles, as the Waterway Guide Offices are here!

08/01/13:  Planned to return to Ft Monroe in time for the traditional band concert at the Post Gazebo on Thursday night.  Forecast was SE wind 10 -15 mph, seas 1-2 feet.  Left Marina at 0900, cleared mouth of the River and found…winds gusting to 20+ out of the south (on the nose) and seas at 3 -5 feet.  Though the boat had no problems, we were not happy being bounced around. Would have been a very uncomfortable ride back to Ft Monroe. So, turned back and spent rest of day in slip with periodic rain/wind squalls.  Very wet and blustery until @ 2000 then calm & cool.  By staying an extra day, we got acquainted with another “water town” and its residents. Deltaville is small but has more marinas and boats than larger communities we have passed through. There is a small but very interesting Marine Museum-just when you think you have learned it all, local history adds another new layer.

08/02/13:  Total change from yesterday.   On the way home at 0800, smooth water (could have water skied the whole way if had skis and stamina) and were back in our slip 48 miles later at 1215.  Now back to Elizabeth to await birth of Sweeney Parsons Twins, enjoy Meridian and celebrate Melissa and Tim’s return from Iraq!

Old Point Comfort Light, Ft Monroe, VA

Returning to Maine from Panama

Off shore Duck Blind

Can't get enough of those Osprey!

Houseboat community with their personal water craft-Deltaville

Stingray Point--where CPT John Smith was stung by a sting ray

08/13/13  Melissa, Tim and Meridian joined us for a delightful short trip and visit to Fort Wool, Hampton, Virginia- Fort Wool was a seacoast fortification located in the mouth of Hampton Roads approximately one mile south of Fort Monroe. The island fortress, accessible only by boat, was designed by Brigadier General of engineers Simon Bernard, an expatriated Frenchman who had served under Napoleon as his chief engineer, was one of more than forty forts started after the War of 1812 when the British boldly sailed up the Chesapeake Bay to burn the Capital.[2] Started upon a shoal of ballast stones that were dumped as sailing ships entered Hampton's harbor called Rip Raps, the fort was to have three tiers of casemates and a parapet mounting a total of 232 muzzle-loading cannons. Originally named Castle Calhoun for the Secretary of War, John C. Calhoun, Fort Wool was built to maintain a crossfire with Fort Monroe, located directly across the channel, thereby protecting the entrance to the harbor.[ Construction of this island fortress was directed by Robert E. Lee. Dating to 1819, it played important roles in the Civil War and in both World Wars, bearing witness to the battle of the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia. Fort Wool also has a little-known association with presidents.

President Andrew Jackson, broken hearted after the death of his wife and in frail health, came to Fort Wool in the late 1820s and the 1830s. Jackson made the fort his "White House." Jackson built a hut and would watch ships from on the island. He even made key policy decisions from the fort with cabinet advisers. Ironically President Jackson's Secretary of War John C. Calhoun had become the president's archrival by this stage, by threatening to pull South Carolina out of the union. Later President John Tyler took sanctuary on the island after the death of his wife. Abraham Lincoln also visited the fort in order to observe the Union Forces attack on Norfolk. Fort Wool even has an association with the actor Sir Alec Guinness, who was grounded in a minefield off the fort in World War II. The comedian Red Skelton also showed up at Fort Wool during the war to entertain troops. The outmoded fort was finally abandoned by the military in 1953. The tour is self-guided and very interesting-to the adults. How do you keep a 4 y/o’s interest? Design running games to different landmarks on the Fort!!

8/15/13  A quick day trip to Norfolk to share with Melissa and Tim the awesome US Naval Base Norfolk. We all gawk as if we have never seen a big ship before. Even more fascinating is watching tugs dock these huge vessels. Mike delivered Meridian to us at the Town Docks in Portsmouth. While enroute met a small boat with 2 adults and 3 children that was in distress--at first thought their waving of paddles was a friendly gesture! Towed them to the Town Docks and then realized it would be easier for them if we towed them to their launching ramp further up river. Gave our passengers further opportunity to see Norfolk and Portsmouth and wait for a train to cross a lift bridge and watch its unique--for land lubbers-operation. A fun outing for us all.

10/03/13:  Short, sweet round trip (1hour) from OPC Marina to Hampton Town Docks (Ice Cream Run for grand daughter).  Beautiful early autumn day, calm winds, flat seas, 84 degrees.  Great ice cream, happy kid & grand parents.  (NOTE:  We have been shore bound too long!)

10/04/13:  With Brother Dan as crew (John had to cancel) Bill departed OPC Marina ay 0815 (new definition for “crack of dawn”) on a leisurely 4/5 day cruise to Deltaville, VA Yacht Haven where the Elissa II will spend the winter.  Sunny, warm, light (5-10kts from south) winds, waves 1 foot.  Eight hours, and 60 miles later we dropped the hook in Bryant Bay on the Severn River, Mobjack Bay.  Three hundred degrees of shelter (we are naked to the east) from forecasted winds of 5-10 kts from SW.  Oooppss!  Earlier decided to power up to see what impact marine growth has had on our speed.  L  could not get RPM above 2900 with a speed of 10+ mph.  Normally, turbo kicks in and we top out at @3800 RPM and 21 MPH.  Another addition to the Job$ Jar over the winter! 

10/05/13:  Following a most pleasant night in an almost deserted anchorage, we were off the hook at 0915 on another almost perfect day; warmer (@85) than normal for early October but delightful nevertheless.  Winds<10 kts, waves <1 foot. Travelled north, past Rappahannock River mouth to Fleets Bay on VA shore south of the Potomac River.  Found a very nice Marina about 5 miles up Indiana Creek (Chesapeake Boat Basin).

We grabbed showers, borrowed the courtesy car for a trip to KC’s Bar & Grill about 5 miles away and noted for their fine foods and funky atmosphere.  I had grilled scallops (the best I have ever had) and we watched various sports activities (mostly the GA/Tennessee game) on a bewildering array of 8 huge flat screen TVs.

10/06/13:  Arrived Yachting Center, Deltaville, VA (south shore of mouth of Rappahannock R.) at 1345 to bed the Elissa II down for the winter….”finished with engines”.