LOG OF THE ELISSA II

2014, THE FOURTH SEASON ON THE “LOOP”

 

(NOTES:   1)  This is as much a travelogue as it is a ship’s log and it’s a joint effort.  When Bill is the author the text will look like this.  When Bonnie writes it will be like this.  When big deal involved, will use red to get attention)  2)  All mileage recorded is in statute miles.  A nautical mile = 1.151 statute miles.

05/17:  PROLOGUE:  We left Indy early on 13 May, arrived Deltaville @ 1700.  Off loaded some gear onto the Elissa II. We found ourselves across the Rappannhock River from Don and Anita on Limelight—Loopers we had last seen at Joe Wheeler State Park, Alabama in Oct 2012. We all stay connected by email or Blogs. Since we had transportation we drove and joined them for dinner-after Docktails, of course ! Spent the night in a motel next door to the Yard.  Plan was to launch on 14^th and get underway late on 15^th.  Not so:  weather had delayed some last minute work on boat, resulting in second night in motel.  Finally got her in the water on the 15^th so we could move ourselves and rest of gear on board.  Stuck in harbor (torrential rain, winds at 25+ gusting to 40 almost all day on 16^th.) The weather wasn’t the only delay—someday we will remember how much work is involved in readying the Elissa II for cruising! I also woke with left hip pain on a scale of 10/10-limited my walking skills. Not good for beginning a cruise. So went to my YELP app on my phone and discovered an excellent Chiropractor and Massage therapist in nearby Kilmarnock. Both fit me in as soon as I arrived at their offices and I walked out nearly pain free—3/10…. Another unexpected opportunity to discover the hidden treasures of small town America.

So FINALLY, got underway early afternoon on 17^th (after dealing with a dead starting battery) OF COURSE and took a short (18 mile) ride up the Rappahannock River to a delightful little anchorage on Carter Creek, off the West Branch of the Corromatan River, just upstream of the Rappahannock Bridge.  Anchored comfortably, then prepared dinghy to take Jada shore for needed canine personal hygiene.  Part of process was to attach new, propane powered, larger and heavier (BY 20 LBS---SIGNIFICANT WHEN IN YOUR 70’s----no, I didn’t say, ‘what were you thinking?”) than previous edition.  I’ll leave it to Bonnie to describe that effort as well as our encounter with a family of Canadian Geese after arriving (finally) on the beach.  Bonnie: I’ll only add that we need to devise a better plan on more smoothly getting the motor onto the dinghy without sinking the dinghy…and us! While walking Jada on the beach, we were kept company by 2 Canadiens- I figured  a nest was nearby and sure enough 2 fluffy yellow goslings suddenly appeared on the beach—much to their parents distress. Respecting new parents, we quickly departed, without even taking a picture.  Dinner was grilled salmon rubbed in garlic pepper and corn on the cob.

05/18:  Had a great night on the hook, awoke “late” @ 0630, had leisurely breakfast and got underway at 0905, not yet fixed upon a destination.  @ 1030 we pulled into the Regent Point Marina & Boatyard – purpose was merely to buy ice and walk Jada.  Chatting with the Harbormaster, learned that he was the owner (for > 10 years and that he had just finished adding a dozen or so “oversized” slips in hopes of attracting Loopers.)  I told him that we were on the Loop and turns out so is he.  Spent close to an hour chatting and he suggested we visit Onancoke VA, one of his favorite spots.  So, we did; arriving 54 miles and 7.5 hours later at 1630.  Tied up at the Onancoke Town Wharf, a very nice, new facility, 3 blocks from heart of small town with lots of history.  Marina features complimentary laundry, 30 & 50 amp power etc.  Bonnie: Another quaint town on the Bay recommended by Brenda Caricofe (the girls 1^st/2^nd grade teacher who has become a cruiser herself!). Onancock is delightful – good restaurants, B&B’s, antique shops, historic self guided walking tour-good for Jada and me. Shared the dock with a large ketch from Mississippi – also retired Army! Dinner was ashore-too tempting-delicious scallops and crab cakes.

05/19:  Following good night at dock and a very leisurely AM, we got away at 1120 on a course to Tangier Island, a spot we had never visited in our previous Bay excursions and one we had always wanted to see.  The Island was only 18 miles to the west and we arrived at the only Marina on the Island (Parks Marina) at 1350. Parks Marina is family owned and is still managed by 85+y/o Jim Parks. There was no one on the docks to be sure we were in the right place so just docked where it looked good. Learned Mr Parks was in the hospital having a pacemaker replaced. We never did check in with anyone but did leave a check for our dockage in the mail drop at his home just off the docks. That’s small town/island living for you! Island was first claimed by Capt John Smith in 1608, was settled largely by groups of Londoners over the course of the next several decades.  English is still spoken with a bit of Cockney accent.  We were greeted moments after arrival by Kathy and Alan, a fellow Albin owner tied up a few slips away.  Conversation plus arrival of two additional cruisers resulted in “docktails” aboard a lovely sloop, one of the new arrivals.  That process followed an interesting tour of the Island by rented golf cart-WOW, the history of the place is fascinating.  Bonnie: We couldn’t come to Tangier without eating crab of some kind so as Bill secured lines I quickly made it to a restaurant for takeout crabcakes!! Yummy lunch. There is so much to say about Tangier, so is easier for one to google it if interested. There are 4 main families..Crocketts, Parks, Cunningham and Dize. The Island lost islanders in WWI, WWII, Korea and Viet Nam---can learn much from walking through cemeteries!

Ferry from Eastern shore

An abandoned project

Sunset over Tangier

One of tangier's MANY cats

Crabs waiting to molt and become soft shell delicacies

Parks Marina

Crab shanty

Golf carts are THE mode of wheeled transportation

NIce BnB

05/20:  An early (for us) start found us under way at 0730 heading west on a course for the mouth of the Potomac River, Was about a five hour, 37 mile trip under partly cloudy skies.  Seas were more  than twice (3-5’ vs NOAA forecast of 1-2) for the first 3 hours until we reached the lee of the western shore.  Both of us thought the other had dogged the main hatch and the ports so had little concern when we’d take a wave over the bow! DUH…rule number one on a boat: NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING!  Thankfully it was a warm sunny day and early when we docked so we could dry out cushions, towels, etc on the docks!!Thanks to Active Captain and our Waterway Guide we found a gem of a marina about 8 miles upstream on the Yeocomico River.  The White Point Marina is family owned and operated 2^nd generation now in charge and 3^rd generation is actively involved.  It is full service (all types of marine maintenance/repairs) with spotless facilities in a very quite, rural setting.  It is nice to be back on the Potomac, scene (albeit 100 miles downstream from actual) of our youthful sailing activities.  Bonnie: This is a lovely spot off the Potomac and the facility and personal services are excellent. Was rather nice arriving someplace early to enjoy a long walk with Jada and then I rode my Bike through bucolic countryside and roads (saw one car) to Kinsale---a small historic town. Not many commercial establishments but lovely homes to admire. Wish I had started earlier to have included a ride to historic Yeocomico Church-since 1706 it has continued to have Sunday services. It is located in the middle of the country surrounded by fields and woods. Dinner: Sautéed Curried chicken breasts with Madras lentils and vegetables.

Lovingly maintained

Wonder what its history is