June 16th traveling up the Chesapeake, as I said previously, was like sailing the Great Lakes at home. We ducked into a cove just south of Deltaville VA just before a strong squall rolled over us. Turned the sky black for about 40 minutes, thunder, lightening, rain. Then the sun came out and we enjoyed a pleasant evening on the back deck.
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| June 17th we arrived in Tangier Island VA. An Island still lingering in the 40's. Trying desparately to preserve their heritage from the Elizabethan era. Strong element of watermen and their crab shacks, clamming etc. The canal leading into the Island was lined with these crab shacks and docks. Some in excellent repair, some in various stages of disintegration. |
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| We had planned on docking here for the night, especially when we saw Restless Spirit, whom we met in Carolina Beach, was docked there. Also another Nordic 37. A couple of gentlemen came to help with our lines but the current was so strong we could not maneuver the boat into the slip. After several tries we abandoned the idea and headed for the next Island 10 miles North. Smith Island Maryland proved to be a much better landing option. We were able to tie up to a face dock. Smith Island is very similar to Tangier, but, holds the distinction of being the ONLY inhabitated island in Maryland. Smith is a little more into the present in that they have a Verizon cell tower. Some tourists we talked to when we arrived 3pm said everything was closed. In spite of brochure stating 4pm closures. Museum, Restaurant, Visitor center - - no townspeople around zippo! Strange. We spent a quiet night and continued on to the Solomons on the 18th. |
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| Solomon Island proved to be a contrast to Smith Island, Many marinas and thousands of boats. We picked up a mooring around 3pm deployed the dinghy and tooled around the harbor after paying our fee at the office. It is within an hour and half of Washington DC and environs. The perfect getaway from the hustle bustle of the city. |
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| Around 4pm the sky went dark again - - yep, yet another severe squall rolled over us. Thunder, Lightning, Rain and howling wind. By 5 the sun is out, clearing and creating this rainbow on the retreating rain |
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| On the 19th the three of us went to breakfast in town. The brought Horatio his own menu. Quite a selection - - even "pooched eggs"! |
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| Then off to the Museum. Don't ask me how I got this black and white picture of the Museum's lighthouse moved here from 4 miles on the point entrance from the Bay. two areas of interest covered was the unique design of fishing boats over the years and the archaeological finds from the cliffs of the are dating back some 23 million years. Fascinating! |
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| June 19, oldest Daughters Birthday brings us to Herrington Harbor, MD. We were amazed - - the largest marina we have ever seen. Very well run, clean, accommodating and every amenity. Friends on Stella Maris we met on the Dismal Swamp Canal suggested we might enjoy this marina. This picture was taken as we walked on the bricked path from one end of the marina to about the middle where the pool complex was located (white tent). We had been invited to their annual Dock party. Wine, fresh oysters, two meats, gumbo, salad and desert. |
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| Yep! The evenings festivities ended with another brewing Thunderstorm. This too, passed quickly. |
June 21st We are truly impressed with this marina and all the services it provides. It is a full service repair yard as well as storage long term and Marina. For some time we have been speaking of maybe terminating our Loop trip for this year and putting the boat up on the hard for storage this winter. We would then return in the late spring and continue at a leisurely pace going North through the Champlain canal, St. Lawrence, Montreal, Ottawa, the Canadian Historic Canals, Georgian Bay and eventually crossing our wake in Detour, MI where we started on July 13,2014.
This is the end of June already -- we would have to really have to push to finish before the weather ccloses in.
So, that's what we are going to do. We feel bad to have taken a little cruise a way from our daughter Terri, but we will make that right next spring. We rented a car, drove to Terri's in Wilmington and spending a few days with her before going back to the boat and have Simpatico Hauled out. We will have to strip her of any liquids that might freeze and arrange for the yard to winterize and shrink wrap her. It does bring a tear to my eye to be stopping this great adventure - but it is only temporary.
Besides, we have plenty to do at home to get the house ready to sell, get it listed and take care of things that that whole business entails.
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| As you can see Horatio is enjoying a renewed acquaintance with his cousins Charlie and . . . |
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Baxter.
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This will be the last Blog for a while. You might check back again after the snow melts in Michigan; I am sure we will be antsy to get on the move again. Love to all, Connie and Bill
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