More Summer on the Chesapeake

Aug 1 - 16  On a Mission

All dressed up and finally out of the dock --- making our way to Annapolis, MD the 8th to pick up grandsons/cousins Zachary 10 and Luke 8 for a week of fun.  

First stop, a beautiful anchorage near Reedville, VA.  A short dinghy ride brought us into the tidy little town where we had a nice walk followed by coconut ice cream at Chitterchats, yum!  

Back to Waterford for a swim and another gorgeous sunset.

On to Solomons Island for three days anchored  in Mill Creek.  It was an easy dinghy ride to "town" where we enjoyed the Tiki Bar and were introduced to the "Orange Crush" ---a new summer fav --- and lunch at Stoney's.  Calvert's Marina had great fuel prices, so we took on fuel before moving on to Annapolis. 

Aug 5 - Annapolis

After winding our way through the busy outer harbor and the local sail schools, we secured a mooring in the quiet creek beyond the drawbridge.  What a difference from the "busy ness" of the main mooring field!

Aug 6 - Happy Birthday Garry

What better way to spend a birthday than in one of our favorite places, Annapolis.  We decided to pamper ourselves a little with haircuts and a pedi for me.  Birthday dinner followed at Davis' Pub -- a Diners Drive-ins and Dives restaurant known for it's crab pretzel appetizer.  Jeff and Ellen met us there and we had a ball.

Aug 9 -- "Navy Seal" training week

Our Enterprise rent a car got us to BWI where we picked up Zachary and Luke for a week of FUN!  Our base was a lovely little anchorage up the Severn River where we could dinghy to the beach, out into the river for tubing and to a nearby marina to refuel the dingy.

The "Seals" in full gear 

             

     I think they may have grown gills

They had a little trouble getting the hang of the 2-person kayak, but didn't lack for things to do!

Construction work

Good thing there was a marina nearby --- had to refuel every day.  And of course there was ice cream.....

Each got a chance at the helm

And no, that's not Luke's cocktail ...........

The week ended at Mear's Marina in Annapolis where everyone had a chance to chill at the pool and have another meal at Davis' Pub.  Luke's chicken sandwich was nearly as big as he is!

It was just a wonderful week.  Don't know what we can do to top it, but we'll give it a try!!

Summer on the Chesapeake

July 7 - 31  Back aboard

Mom and Dad, you can't see baby.......

We returned to Deltaville, VA where Waterford had been safely docked at Dozier's Regatta Point Marina.  

This Osprey nest with one baby, was just off our stern at the dock. When we left for MI and Ill, you could just see the top of his head in the nest.

Here is baby "Orville" upon our return.  He had just taken his first flight, landing on one of the dock poles at the end of our slip!

This marina has quickly become a second home to us as we've come to know both summer residents and other transient boaters.  Cocktails at the pool, group barbecues, an occasional sail with our dock mates aboard Papillon .......... just a great base for the rest of July.  

Bridge party on Waterford

Jeff and Ellen Hall, aboard a 44 Krogen "Sea Dweller", became fast friends.  As we celebrated our first year cruising anniversary, they are newly retired and just beginning their cruising life.  Our weekend anchored on the Corrotoman River and in Urbanna, VA was just the first of many good times together.

Sunset on the Corrotoman River

The last week of July was spent "on the hard" as Waterford got spiffed up - bottom painted and hull polished. 

Of course it was the HOTTEST week of the summer -- and no AC when we're out of the water.  YIKES!  

Our perseverance paid off as she's standing tall.

Ready to "splash"

 

 Between sanding, painting and sweating,

 Garry had to retire the flip flops!

Time to head out on the Chesapeake for the next adventure.

We're Baaaaaack

Summer Summary

June 17 - July 7   Wrapping up family visits

After a great trip to Seattle, we spent the rest of the month in Michigan and Illinois with family and friends.

While Laura worked on her last month of Nurse Practitioner program and Zachary's baseball team participated in a tournament, Lee, Garry and I set off to Illinois with the rest of the kids.  We had a great time with Toni, Tiger and family, Great Grandma Millie and most of the Farr family (Millie's side).





Great Grandma Millie got to meet Ava (18 mos) for the very first time.
                                           
                                                    PRICELESS!!! 

           Uncle Dick and Aunt Jo
              with Lee and the kids.
                       

Great Grandma Millie
 and her only remaining sister, Betty.















It had been a long time since Lee and the kids had been with the Farr family.  So good to be together!!

The Whole "Fam-Damily",  almost!!!

Back in Michigan, the time just flew as we enjoyed cookouts, days at Kensington Park, lemonade stands, baseball games, and just hanging out.

Chasing bubbles ................

Lemonade anyone????

   

Girls just wanna have fun..................

All too quickly it was time to head back to Waterford.  Anxious to be on the water again.........

Family visits

June 8 - June 16  Landlubbers again!

Newest granddaughter, Ava.  Popcorn and a movie with Gramps

Our trip began with picking up a rental car and driving from Deltaville, VA to our daughter, Lee's home in South Lyon, MI (north and west of Detroit).

Kate's first fish!!

Just enough time for a little fishing off the dock with Gramps and dad, Tommy.

TMNT fan at the beach

We had just a couple of days and lots of grandkid hugs before hopping a plane with our son, Aaron.  Next stop, Seattle, WA to visit our grandson, August.  

Five days of picnics at the beach, fishing, swimming in the hotel pool, and just hanging out flew by all too quickly.

First fish with Dad

The weather was glorious --- sunny and warm with no rain (in Seattle???)

Swimming with Dad and cousin Grace

       



      And we took full advantage.
         

Mt. Rainier from our hotel window --- WOW

When "the mountain is out", you know it's going to be great day!



We had a really great visit, though it's always too short.





Back to Michigan where the fun continues........................

Enjoying Deltaville, VA

Dozier's Regatta Point 

May 26 - ?????

Leaving beautiful Mill Creek anchorage behind, it was just a short jaunt (22 miles) down to Deltaville and Regatta Point Marina. 

We're in a great slip near the far end of the marina just a couple of slips away from

"Mad Dash 9".
Dockmaster Jimmy gave us the lowdown:
the boat belongs to the daughter of Enos Slaughter, #9 of the St. Louis Cardinals 1946 World Championship team.



He was on first base with 2 out when the manager called a "hit and run".  The batter hit a single and, ignoring the 3rd base coach, Slaughter continued home to score what turned out to be the winning run in game 7 to give the Cards the championship.  The announcer dubbed the play "Slaughter's mad dash"!


They are one of several great couples we've met in this first week of our stay.  Sea Dweller, a 44 Krogen arrived Wednesday and are docked just a slip away.  It didn't take long for Jeff and Ellen to become good friends!  Andrew and Tiffany, Tony and Michele --- it's a great community!

Town is a bike ride away with a great hardware store, West Marine, coffee shop, fish market, farm stand produce and grocery store all with a couple of miles.  It seems there's a daily reason (excuse) to ride into town between chores!  It's been quite hot --- upper 80's to 90 degrees --- so a dip in the new pool has also become a daily occurrence.

We'll be here for another week, before we rent a car and head to Michigan for those grandkid hugs.  In the meantime, we're thoroughly enjoying the people, place and pace here at Regatta Point.





     



                     You just can't beat this view
                            from our back deck

Time for lunch and a dip in the pool ........................

Memorial Weekend 2015

May 23 -25, 2015

Back to the Glebe --- Just a short 16-mile hop from the St. Mary's to this great spot we had found on our way to DC.  Anchored in nearly the same spot, it was just a bit busier than in early May.  Tubers, wave runners, fishermen -- all out enjoying the official beginning of summer!

We dropped the dinghy in and explored the area a little.  Of the two marinas shown on the chart, only one, Lewisetta, was still in business.  Not a lot going on there, but nice little "store" and small campground.  Garry's anxious to put the fishing pole to use, so got information on Maryland/Virginia fishing licenses.  He got to talking with a returning fisherman and before we knew it, Billy was driving us to the nearby (but too far to walk) sports store!!  Fishing license in hand, he's ready to hook the BIG ONE!!

             Flying "Dad's flag" in memory of Garry's dad Bill

               who served in Germany in WWII

               and lost his battle with Alzheimers at age 75.

             Love you and miss you ..............

With stiffening south winds and forecast for 3+ footers by Wednesday, we decided to move on.  22 miles later we dropped the hook in Mill Creek.  This one was recommended by our friends Bill and Lisa on "Changing Course" and definitely goes on our favorite list.  Protected from any direction, room for many boats, though we shared it with just 2 other sailboats.  

By Tuesday noon, we were safely docked at Dozier's Regatta Point Marina, where we'll be for the next couple of months.  

Down the Potomac

May 19-22, 2015  Horseshoe Bend Anchorage

From Canoe Neck Creek, we headed on down the Potomac to anchor in the St Mary's river.  A week since we left DC, it was time to fill the fresh water tank and pump out.  Fortunately, there was a strategically located small marina along the way.  Good thing we had plenty of time ---- due to technical difficulties (the marina's not ours), a fifteen minute pump out took 2 HOURS!  Good thing it was only a short 26-mile trip!

We were securely anchored in Horseshoe Bend by 2:30 on a lovely sunny afternoon.  Once the dingy was deployed, we headed to shore to explore.

You can't really call St. Mary's a town, even though there is a post office.  It is home to St. Mary's college, a beautiful campus housing about 2000 students.  Situated right on Horseshoe Bend you find the boathouse and docks supporting the college water sports ---- sailing, rowing, etc.  A great place to tie up the dink  for a walk through the campus.

After a tour of the Student Center with coffee shop, cafeteria and free Wifi, it was back to the dinghy.




"Nearly Perfect", the only other boat in this large beautiful anchorage, was flying a "Looper" flag, so we stopped by to introduce ourselves.  Jack and Pattie are on there way north,  and will be making their way through the Georgian Bay and Great Lakes this summer.  Next thing you know, we're sharing our Great Lakes knowledge over a bottle of wine!

They were off early the next morning, so we had the anchorage to ourselves.  I took advantage of a latte and wifi to catch up the blog, while Garry did some guy chores aboard.  After reconnecting for lunch in the cafeteria, time for  a walk.




St. Mary's City was Maryland's capital before it was moved to Annapolis.  The old statehouse and some of the other buildings have been reconstructed on the site, while others are in varying degrees of the process.

A reproduction of the Maryland Dove, a wooden sailing vessel is also docked on the property.


Thursday we woke to the sound of a steady rain that would continue throughout the day.  Great day to sleep in, read a book and bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies!



Our plan was to head out on Friday, but stiff winds had the Potomac all riled up --- all plans are in pencil!

Where's Waterford???

An alternate path took us through a new part of the campus, then back to the boathouse.












                                                             
This was a lovely, if quiet, spot to drop the hook and chill!

A Leisurely Pace

May 15-18, 2015

Canoe Neck Creek Anchorage

Anchor up and moving on down the Potomac by 9 am on a sunny, breezy morning.  The wind picked up as the day went on until we had 20 kts -- on the nose of course.  With thunder storms in the overnight forecast, we decided to make it a long day to Canoe Neck Creek which provided good all around protection.  What a lovely spot!  After a long day, cocktails and sunset never felt so good.

Day 2 - Time to explore!  We took the dinghy out into St. Clements Bay and around the corner to a small marina at Colton's Point to fuel up and take a nice walk.  Thought we'd have a burger and a beer at the only bar in the tiny town -- found no food, but had a beer and a nice chat with "George" the owner.  He gave us directions to a nearby restaurant on the water.  So we hiked back to the dingy and headed for Morris Point for a late lunch.  

What a great tip ---- Morris Pt. was practically in sight of our anchorage!  The calamari and shrimp were great, but the best part was meeting BJ and Lori Moore who joined us later aboard Waterford for a delightful afternoon.

It's all about the people you meet along the way ....................

With the temperature approaching 90, we even got our first dip of the summer -- so refreshing!

After overnight thunderstorms, Garry pumped the water out of the dinghy and we took a little cruise over to Breton Bay.  By the time we got back, the sky was threatening again, so we put her back up and covered, ready to leave in the morning.  A lovely stay in this quiet anchorage.

Parting Ways

May 12 - 14

After our whirlwind Washington visit, Day Dreams set out on Monday on their summer adventure north to Quebec and New England.  Our paths diverge here as Garry and I will spend the month of June visiting family in Michigan, Illinois and Seattle, WA and then the rest of the summer exploring the Chesapeake (all those places we missed on the way south last fall).  We stayed an extra day in DC doing chores like laundry, cleaning and provisioning for a couple of weeks of anchoring before we leave the boat for a month.








So on Tuesday we left the helicopters and tour boats of DC behind and headed down the Potomac.

First stop was just a short hop (just 13 miles) back down the Potomac at Mount Vernon.  Anchored across the river from the dock to avoid the tour boat traffic, we had a beautiful view of the historic mansion.  We finished lunch and deployed the dinghy for a little recon mission.








The dock attendant gave us the scoop on tying up and getting tickets to tour the mansion, museum, education center and the working colonial farm.  Information in hand, we'll come back tomorrow and spend the whole day.









Wednesday the wind picked up and we weren't comfortable leaving the boat unattended, so took a down day just reading, etc.  No schedule to follow..............

Thursday dawned sunny and calm - the perfect day to spend touring this lovely property.

Like the Capitol, the cupola atop the mansion was under renovation.  Carriages would pull up to this front entrance bringing a constant stream of visitors.






There were numerous outbuildings on either side of the main house for all of the activities needed to maintain the home --- stables, smokehouse, storage, spinning/weaving, blacksmith, and quarters for the labor force, both slaves and free men.

The plantation was very self sufficient -- not only with crops like wheat and hemp and herds of both cattle and sheep, but also with 2 large gardens which produced the fruits and vegetables needed for the table.

Perusing one of the vegetable gardens.
I think my silver pony tail would have fit
right in the hairstyles of the time!

After lunch with George in the Mt. Vernon Inn, we cruised through the extensive education center and exhibits.  We stopped to visit the tomb where both George and Martha are buried on our way to the "colonial farm".









Though George was a soldier, statesman and ultimately the first president of United States, he considered himself first and foremost, a farmer.  While still farming with oxen and mules, he utilized crop rotation and fertilization well ahead of his time.

After a very full day, it was time to head back to Waterford anchored across the way.