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After a couple of really great sight seeing days in Yorktown, Jamestown, and Williamsburg, we set out to Norfolk and transition of the Dismal Swamp.  We stayed over night at the visitor Center 28 miles into the Intra coastal Waterway beginning and then the next day we went on down to Elizabeth City.  The weather was closing in on us so it was decided to ‘hole-up’ for a day or two waiting for a clear window to cross the Albermarle Sound but it never happened as the decision then was to abort any further travel on the Intracoastal Waterway for fear of damage to the boat.  Dave has kept his boat in perfect condition and we both felt that it just wasn’t worth the risk to endanger it further with over 1,000 miles of potential snags, logs, overhanging trees etc.  We possibly could have made it on the ‘outside’ in the Atlantic but needed at least another passenger so that we could sail all night.

So, the wonderful trip has ended for now.  Ah, well…’Discretion is the better part of Valor’ they say and so we have saved ourselves for another day!  Hopefully, I will return home and maybe my shoulders will get well!

Hasta to all and God Bless you!

Chuck Smith 

After a couple of really great sight seeing days in Yorktown, Jamestown, and Williamsburg, we set out to Norfolk and transition of the Dismal Swamp.  We stayed over night at the visitor Center 28 miles into the Intra coastal Waterway beginning and then the next day we went on down to Elizabeth City.  The weather was closing in on us so it was decided to ‘hole-up’ for a day or two waiting for a clear window to cross the Albermarle Sound but it never happened as the decision then was to abort any further travel on the Intracoastal Waterway for fear of damage to the boat.  Dave has kept his boat in perfect condition and we both felt that it just wasn’t worth the risk to endanger it further with over 1,000 miles of potential snags, logs, overhanging trees etc.  We possibly could have made it on the ‘outside’ in the Atlantic but needed at least another passenger so that we could sail all night.

So, the wonderful trip has ended for now.  Ah, well…’Discretion is the better part of Valor’ they say and so we have saved ourselves for another day!  Hopefully, I will return home and maybe my shoulders will get well!

Hasta to all and God Bless you!

Chuck Smith 

 
We make plans to visit Yorktown, Va. to see Jamestown and Williamsburg where the original colonial government was set up in the 1600’s and where the resolution to revolt against the British was drafted.  This is a really great place for families to visit and I encourage everyone to try to make some time available to see what is here.   Here is a website that explains it all.
 
http://www.historyisfun.org/

We stayed a couple of days in St. Michaels and got used to the convenience of the grocery stores and the other attractions but it was time to move on so we left early Wednesday morning and sailed down and around to Knapps Narrows on Tilghman Island which is on the way to Oxford.  We walked around a little and watched the draw bridge go up and down but nothing else seemed to be happening so the next day we went on down to Oxford.
 
We then crossed over the bay once more to Solomon Island and found a really great place to stay before moving on.
 
We really looked forward to our visit to Tangier Island but it was not deep enough for docking our boat and so we left in a hurry for Deltaville, Virginia and stayed there for the night.  We are working our way out of the Chesapeake Bay and are anxious to get on into the Intra Coastal Waterway below Norfolk.

From Fairlee Creek, we motored and sailed to the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse and turned right into the South River to find a suitable ‘hole’ to wait out the Tropical Storm Hanna.  The Liberty Yacht Club was a great place right on the bus route to the city and across the bridge to stores etc.  We secured the boat and took the bus into Annapolis and toured the Naval Academy.  This was a real experience and brought back many memories about my ROTC days in College.  Those cadets sure do go through a lot.  I am glad all that is behind me.

Later we walked along the city dock and ate lunch, then looked up the maritime Museum before finding the bus to go back to the boat.  The next two days were very quiet waiting for the storm to pass and when it did we left in a hurry.  Here is a look at the city dock and other points of interest in Annapolis

http://www.annapolis.com/cam/citydock.php

You just haven’t lived until you anchor at this place and seen the picturesque scene out of the narrow channel.  If an artist hasn’t painted this one then they are missing one of the best perspectives I have ever seen with three different points jutting out one behind the other  and each with its personality.  I simply must try to find a painting of this, it is truly breath taking.

We traveled through the short canal cutting off Cape May ( It was dug during the war to avoid enemy subs) and out into the Delaware Bay.  The wind picked up to over 15 Knots and I had a great run until the course had to turn more northerly and we had to motor.  That was some run and the boat really performed well.  That is a great boat the Catalina 36.

Chesapeake City is a small place at the top of the Chesapeake Bay and we stayed there for the night.  We anchored out and had a great meal on board both evening and breakfast.  There is nothing like dining with water all around.  You really must try it sometime!!!!

Next Stop   Fairlee Harbour-— 

Leaving the Casinos of Atlantic City behind was a tough choice for me but Dave was insistent and after a short time on the water I completely forgot about my lost money in the casino.  I was at the helm during the trip and suddenly there was a huge crash behind the boat and both of us turned around just in time to see a dolphin plunge into the water right behind the boat.  Apparently, he came up to inspect the dingy hangjng over the back of the boat.  He lingered behind the boat for a moment and then was gone.  We never saw him again but believe that that was a good omen for our trip and it was!   We got into Cape May and stayed two days before once more pressing onward to Chesapeake City on the Chesapeake Bay!

We left NYC on a clear cool morning and sailed all the way to Manasquan where we entered the harbour throughl a narrow inlet guarded by a railroad bridge that went up like this / _

That darn bridge raised every hour or so through the night and set off a siren each time and then the train rumbled through.  We enjoyed this short sojourn in Manasquan but left for the ritzy marina at the Trump Hotel in Atlantic City.  Well, I just had to show off my dice shooting abilities and after giving them about $150  I decided that I had better go practice some more.  This was a nice place to stay and I did like the visit here.  Next stop - Cape  May!!! 

New York, New York!!!
 
We made the short run to Liberty Landing close to the Statue of Liberty and stayed for a few days.  During the visit, we took the Ferry to Manhattan and viewed the construction of the World Trade Center Building to replace the two that were destroyed on 9/11.  Here is a picture of what it will look like when it is done.

http://www.lowermanhattan.info/flash/visualization/default.asp   Freedom Tower  visualization

Visiting NYC was really great and I enjoyed it immensely.  During the time I was there, I went to see the "39 Steps" which was a well done version of the Hitchcock original.  Dave’s Wife and her sister came to visit and brought lots of goodies to eat!! Thanks, Shirley and Judy!

We left NYC and headed toward Sandy Hook and points South!!!!