We spent 3 nights at Solomon's Island, and never left the boat - it rained (sometimes poured) the whole time. Matt Champney's parents keep their boat in Solomon's, and were nice enough to call us to get together. Sunday morning we swung by their boat Prancer to say hello. They were expecting us and Mary Lou had made us cookies! They have a beautiful boat and told us Matt taught them how to sail. It was wonderful to meet with them, and we certainly know where Matt gets his personality.
After too-short a visit, and tour of Prancer we left. We across the Bay to Tangier Island, where we had been told by friends Jim and Joanna to go for the best crabcakes in the Chesapeake.
We called ahead to make sure there was dock space, since there's no place to anchor. Milton Parks said he'd be waiting for us, and hoped we arrived in time to have dinner. We had a great trip and made the 38-mile passage quicker than expected, sailing the whole way. We arrived at the dock greeted by Milton Parks, the owner of the marina. Milton knew we had come for crab cakes and was nice enough to call all the restrauants to see if anything was still open. Luckily Lorraine's agreed to stay open if we limited our order to crab cakes. Milton rushed us into his golf cart (the only transportation on the island) and drove us the 300 feet to Lorraine's. .
We were asked if we'd mind taking our crabcakes to go, because Lorraine's daughter had held the place open for us, and wanted to go to church.
On Monday morning, before getting under way, we toured this quaint and very friendly place.
Tangier Island is one of the last isolated communities left in America and left us with an impression we will never forget.
We left the dock at 11:00a, and headed back across the bay for the 26-mile run to Jackson Creek, Deltaville. We had following wind and seas, with the wind blowing 12-20. Weather still gloomy, more rain predicted. Anchored about 2:30. The next day (Tuesday), we dinghied around the harbor and were hailed by another boater, who was sailing alone on a 28' Bristol. He came with us as we went to the landing to walk downtown. Trash in hand, walking down the center of the road, we were picked up by Virgil Miller, who laughed when we said we were going to town. Town was a hardware store and a library. Seventy-eight year old Virgil had lived in Deltaville most of his life, and was celebrating his 59th wedding anniversary to Myrtle the next day. He took us for a tour. We will remember Deltaville because of Virgil; he is the a great example of southern hospitality.
Early Wednesday morning, we left for Hampton, VA. The seas were heavy and the wind was blowing 15-28 knots. After a rough ride we arrived in Hampton, where we stayed for 3 days. We went to an IMAX theater, and toured historic downtown, including a few local bars.
Bob went up the mast to do some minor repairs.
On Saturday morning, we left
Hampton, heading for the ICW and points south, after receiving clearance
from the insurance company. It was a trip that brought back a lot of
memories of Bob's Navy days. He really got excited when we
passed his old ship, the USS Austin
LPD-4, as we proceeded along the
Norfolk Navy Base.
We also saw an old friend (Mystic Whaler ) at Portsmouth VA.
We entered the ICW at bouy R36 and proceeded 17 miles to the entrance of Dismal Swamp. It was a beautiful day and we quickly got accustomed to bridge openings, and heavy river traffic. We entered Deep Creek Lock, along with 6 other cruisers heading south, made a few new friends that we expect to see as we continue south.
The Dismal Swamp is another of the treasures we have visited. The sun shone through the trees as we quietly passed down the canal.
We crossed the North Carolina border and stayed the night at the Welcome Center, tied up with 6 boats.
Rosie couldn't have cared less
that we had traveled through
7 states and were finally in North Carolina heading
for warmer weather.
. But she loves the night watch.
