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 2nd generation now in charge and 3rd
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.
05/21: Left White Point Marina late (@ 1130) for
long run to Goose Bay Marina (on the Tobacco River about 50 miles north of the
Potomac mouth. Arrived at 1900 just in
time to button up and enjoy a vicious display of wind, rain, lightning &
thunder. Retired fairly early as we
planned an early departure to beat forecasted storms in DC area tomorrow
afternoon. Bonnie:
Was a lovely cruise up the river-no storms forecasted so I set our sights on an
anchorage up Port Tobacco River off Chapel Point State Park. The Chapel is St
Ignatius-established by the Jesuits in mid 1700’s and has continuously been a
Jesuit parish to this day. There was to be a boat ramp so we could go ashore
and visit the chapel. Scouted the anchorage and there was no boat dock –I had
planned to row ashore—but suddenly the wind picked up, skies darkened so we
scooted to the nearby marina. Was also a camp ground of camper trailers. Some
were pretty basic and others quite fancy with stone patios, gazebos, small
gardens!
05/21: Out of Goose Bay at
0635, calm wind, flat seas and fog.
Visibility fluctuating between ¼ and whole mile. Most channel markers were > than a mile
distant so we steered for the target (marker) on the electronic chart &
sure enuff, once we were w/in half a mile or so, there it was, visible to naked
eye. By 1000 sun burned thru, lovely
morning and less stressful when able to see.
An interesting phenomenon was acres and acres of flotsam, trees, limbs,
logs, portions of small buildings – you name it – floating downstream. Apparently several days of heavy rains caused
coastal flooding and the flood waters picked up anything that would float and
plunked them down in the river. It was
awesome to approach an area we know well from the water. Everything looked familiar, but strangely
so. And BTW, Mt Vernon is magnificent
when seen from the water side. Bonnie: I never had
thought much about arriving in DC via the Potomac—was just a unique way to get
there. Oh my—what a delightful way to arrive! Having lived in the Metro-DC are
off and on for 11 years of my life, in a way I found myself “coming home”. It
was exciting discovering places along the way that I had distinct memories of.
Being a beautiful day added to the pleasure. We arrived at the Capital Yacht
Club Marina as 3 readily identified helicopters, accompanied by a “green”
helicopter with missiles flew overhead and we passed a “green” power vessel
that had a missiles or two attached to its bow! The Marina staff and fellow
boaters are incredibly friendly and helpful. We are 10 min walk from L’Enfant
Metro station, 10 min walk from the Tidal Basin and right next to the Water
Street Fish Market—not fishy smells but great spiced crab/shrimp smells!!
We got
settled in and then took the Metro to meet Melissa and Tim for dinner near
their apartment.
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