Raydiance: Lower Chesapeake

Theodore Too

Leaving the Dismal Swamp behind on Thursday, May 10th, we turned south to Atlantic Yacht Basin to fix--you guessed it--the generator! This time the mechanic seemed very knowledgeable. We are hopeful! David and Alice Johnson arrived that evening. It was so good to see them. The next morning the repairs on the railroad bridge were completed and we headed north to Norfolk. Right behind us in the lock was this cute tugboat from Nova Scotia. It had wintered in Florida. Alice got the scoop while we were locking through. They told her they were photographed a lot and that retired tugboat captains loved to come aboard.

naval shipyard tower

The RR Bridge opened on schedule!

On route to Norfolk, the naval presence is everywhere. We arrived in Norfolk at at Waterside Marina early afternoon and docked next to Craig and Ginny in Brown-Eyed Girl. We secured the boat and headed off to tour the battleship Wisconsin and nautical museum. Later we went to dinner with Craig and Ginny. Arriving back at the dock we discovered that Ken and Barb from Loop Dreams were also there. We hadn't seen them since the Tenn-Tom so it was good to catch up on their journey.

Alice, David and Tom on bow of Wisconsin

Alice down the hatch!

bow of Wisconsin

Crew--David, Alice, Linda and Tom

Stern of Wisconsin

We left Norfolk on Saturday and motored to the Plankatank River where we anchored. Again the navy was very visible--in the air and on the water. We passed a destroyer entering the naval base with sailors lining the deck.

aircraft carrier at naval base

plane on carrier

At breakfast the next morning, David complained that the pancakes were too large. So Tom adjusted for him.

He who complains!

Since we are golfing buddies it was mandatory to find a marina with a golf course attached. Indian Creek Yacht and Country Club fit the bill. The first green was right next to the marina--very handy. Unfortunately, David and I lost to Tom and Alice by one hole. Alice was really on her game and Tom made an incredible nine iron shot into the 9th green and another great shot into the 18th. He was not shy about reminding us of those shots the remainder of the day!

Who's driving??? We were too busy catching up to watch the helm!

Monday found us in Reedsville, MD. We pulled up to the Reedsville Marina and who should also be tied up there but Rusty and Jan aboard C-Bay. Reedsville is the home of the Menhaden Fish plant and it is smelly! We thought about staying two days and taking the ferry to Tangier Island, but chose to pass on that and stayed only one night. Alice begged rides to and from a local restaurant known for its crabcakes. We also visited the museum which explained the fishing industry and wooden boat building. There were some beautiful old homes in Reedsville which at one time was a very wealthy town.

Captain's house with accurate compass shaped roof
and parts of the ship's interior in the house.
Now a bed and breakfast.

Twins using our most common mode of transportation.

Rusty and Jan in museum with wooden boat.

model RR depicting Reedsville in museum

beautiful Victorian home in Reedsville

Tuesday and Wednesday we spent on Solomon's Island at Spring Cove Marina. David has been driving a lot. Apparently it tuckers him out!

sleepyhead

We borrowed bikes from the marina to tour town and it wore us out so we had to stop for a margarita.

David has a girl's bike and Tom's bike
has no handlebar grips. Class transportation!

Catching our breath with a margarita!

We stayed two nights here in order to play golf again. Alice and I also visited the museum which centered on the fossils found in the surrounding cliffs and the screwpile lighthouse. We wished we could have tried to hunt for ancient shark's teeth on the beaches to the north, but even Alice couldn't beg us a ride that far!