Weather changes

Day 16 Chesapeake Bay Trip

Sorry I have not gotten our adventures to you for almost a week.  We have wonderful visits with folks and some adventures on the water.

Last Sunday, June8th we left our slip at Old Point Comfort Marina at 9:00 AM and took our CrossOver into the Bay for the first time.  The wind was light from the South and we had a good trip to Jackson Creek.  Victoria Hitch was tracking us on “Find My Friends” and saw us heading toward her dock at noon.  She was kind enough to let us use her slip at her condo.  It was so good to see her after many months.  She invited us to stay in her condo and at first we said we would pass, it would just be one night. 

After a late lunch the wind picked up out of the Southeast and blew right into the creek.   CrossOver started to bob like our grandchildren on a trampoline.  Graciously we accepted her invite to spend the night with her.  We went to dinner at the Cosmos, now the Railroad something.  Very good seafood baskets.  We were amazed at the number of marinas.   We had never spent that much time in this area.  Back at the condo we heard more about her years with the Richmond Power Squadron and saw her trophy naming her the Woman Sailor of the year three times.

After a wonderful breakfast she introduced us to the Deltaville Hardware store. We found a gift for Joyce, a bicycle inter tube for Dave’s bike and bolts to fasten her deck umbrella.  Dave did what he does best and Victoria’s umbrella should survive most anything.

Off her dock and next door for fuel.  It was the first time we have called and been told to pump ourselves and then come to the office with the gallon amount.  Off then (11:30 AM) to head north to Carter Creek off the Rappahannock River.  We cruised the creek up to the Tide’s Lodge in the Irvington, VA area, it is an icon on the bay and next to Tide’s Lodge which is no longer in operation.  Very unfortunate, it was a favorite place for the Tartan Club to cruise to on the Southern Bay.  We passed what had always been a favorite house of mine across from Tide’s Lodge.  We chose an anchorage in the Eastern fork near the entrance of Carter Creek.  We relaxed, read and watched boats.  Locals told us that all the PCV pipes marked oyster beds.

Tuesday morning we weighed anchor at 9 AM and headed to Urbana, VA to dock at the Urbana Town Dock run by a good friend of Nancy Fisk’s.  This marina can accommodate large boats and I must tell you has the best restroom/shower facility I have been in…..  After showers, which may have helped but the day was VERY humid, we were greeted by Nancy Fisk.   So good to see Dave’s Cousin’s wife after a number of years.  This area is her new home and she has established herself well in the past year.  She took us to a home she is rehabbing and then to lunch at Willaby’s.  Next we got to see her acreage and the two homes and kennel on the property.  She has 17 Akitas and’ If my count is right’ 7 Beagles.  It was a delightful afternoon.

About 5 PM we took a bike ride into town and saw some of the historic homes and took advantage of the grocery store.  Dinner was lunch leftovers and a salad.  We never spend time at a marina without walking the dock.  We got back to the boat as powerful thunderstorm went though.  We had high winds but the rain was to the North.

Wednesday, another hot sticky and very overcast day day.  Our goal was to dock in Reedville, VA at our friends Mary and Walt’s.  The trip down the Rappahannock River was choppy with winds out of the East.  We needed to go around Windmill Point which marks very shallow ground.  The wind from the East piled the water up on the shallows and the waves built to 4 and 5 feet.  This was worse than our trip on the Neuse River in NC.  Life jackets on and wishing we were a large sailboat we pounded on.  We know now we need to be more mindful of the winds direction with this boat.  We were finally were able to turn,  after  3 ½ hours.  Conditions would dictate whether we need to change our destination.  The going got easier with waves a bit less and the boat rolling over them instead of into them.  Reedville was a doable goal.

We blew our horns for Mary and Walt but they did not hear us.  After docking we walked up to the house and surprised them at 12:30. Hot, very sweaty and shaken Mary offered me the proper drink to calm me, a Dark and Stormy.  Lunch a brief tour around town and naps, lots of catching up and a delicious dinner we were “Safe at Anchor Lodge.”  Oh, I don’t want to forget the thunderstorm we had at 4 AM with the most constant lightening I have EVERr seen.  No sirens was a good sign.

Thursday Dave and Walt headed in one direction on errands and Mary and I to hit the consignment shops in the area.   Some good finds and yes I added to Dave’s few tee shirts.  It was the appropriate day to be with friends and dry.  The rain continued for most of the day.  When Mary and I are together it is a recipe swap, dinner both nights will go in to my book.

This morning we had a leisurely breakfast and shortly afterward Walt and Mary’s friend Ben arrived on his way North from Marathon.  Dave is doing boat chores and some improvements and helping Walt with projects.  I took a walk around the Reedville Fisherman’s Museum.  Mary is making jam and you know what I am doing.  We are hoping to see Jim and Katie Walker at museum cocktail hour tonight.

We will be monitoring the weather; our  plan is to provision on Sunday and head to Solomon’s Island or the Eastern Shore on Monday.