Lower Chesapeake (May 6th – 10th)

Our last day at Tides Inn was spectacular and filled with fun events including golf and tennis. Mary put up a good challenge, but Larry still won both rounds.

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Borrowed the courtesy bikes again to ride to prime rib dinner at “The Office” just in town.

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There was fog on the water early morning on May 7th when we departed Tides Inn for the 54 mile cruise north to Windmill Point, Maryland.

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We headed south down the Rappahannock River into the Chesapeake Bay, then north up to the mouth of the Potomac River near the VA\MA state line where we turned northeast up the Potomac.

The cruise up the bay was easy with excellent weather and super calm seas. This was the point in the Chesapeake where there were hazard warnings about moving in bad weather — so we couldn’t’ have picked a better day. Upon entering the Potomac River we did encounter an increasing number of crab pots and watermen tending their pots. There were some Deadrise boats at the marina, and we got to see one fisherman taking his Crab catch for the day off the dock.

Point Lookout Marina is an average sized marina tucked in a small cove just off the river. This marina was going through a bankruptcy, so there were several amenities not available. This was fine with us, as our newly ordered ‘replacement icerette’ had delivered here and this allowed us time to get it installed. We once again have the luxury of making over 20 lbs of ice per day. Later that evening and overnight we did encounter some gale force winds but we were tied securely to the dock allowing us a good nights rest.

We departed Point Lookout (Saint Inigoes MA) around 8am Saturday the morning of May 8th in route to Colonial Beach, VA. This ~36 mile journey would take us due east up the Potomac and across to the Virginia side. It was a fairly rough day to be on the water with 10-15 mph winds and 2-3 foot waves occasionally splashing over the railing and onto the front canopy.

After a fairly bumpy ride we finally arrived at Monroe Bay which is a well protected harbor. We had arranged to stay the The Boathouse Marina where the dockhands were waiting to meet us.

We can’t say enough about the fine folks at The Boathouse Marina. Nathan, Judy and the crew were all very helpful and welcoming. The facility is a working boatyard with several liveaboard as well as transit slips, all of which were nearly filled to capacity. Owner Bill Bowman suggested we tie up just behind his 65′ foot yacht – Cherish. Bill, a collector of Boats (he has ~30) and cars is an excellent harbor host with an extensive knowledge of the area.

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By mid-day we had finished our laundry using the free facilities at the marina and proceeded to take advantage of the courtesy golf cart to tour the town and get a few provisions. This is truely a Golf Cart community, where cars share the road with golf carts on all roads 25 MPH or less. They have a golf cart parade in October annually, which may explain this Police Cart…

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Bill had recommended several restaurants within walking distance but since we had use of the cart we toured most of the small (1 stop light town). After a short stop at the Colonial Beach Brewing we walked over to Suki the Cuisine for sushi and Thai food. Coincidentally Bill Bowman arrived shortly after us so he joined us for dinner and stories.

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On Mothers Day Sunday May 9th we took the golf cart to attend church services at St. Elizabeth of Hungry Roman Catholic Church, the second oldest Catholic church in the Northern Neck of Virginia. Facemasks were optional at this church and 99% of the congregation opted to ‘just be normal’. All the mom’s were given Mother’s Day flowers.

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After church we went to Lenny’s for breakfast where all the mom’s were given Mother’s Day cheesecake dessert. If you’re in Colonial Beach you don’t want to miss this place for breakfast. Immediately after breakfast we headed to Walgreen’s so Mary could get her 2nd/last COVID shot. Long wait so Larry went to NAPA and Food Lion. On the way back to the marina we found a humorous farmer selling produce which Mary could not pass up.

After unloading all our groceries and we changing into cooler clothing for an ~3-mile hike to James Monroe’s birthplace. On the way we stumbled upon a treasure in the form of an antique store (Compulsive Cravings Antiques and Gifts) where Mary found several interesting items. Note: Larry does not recommend walking the busy highway from the edge of town.

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One the way back from Monroe’s birthplace we had to stop once again at Colonial Beach Brewing before hiking along the beach to see Alexander Graham Bell’s vacation home located on the banks of the Potomac. The residence is now privately owned but in very nice condition as are most of the homes along the boardwalk.

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Later that evening we joined up with some Looper friends (Simon and Linda aboard Indigo Seas) for a nice dinner of ‘shrimp and grits’ at Dockside Restaurant & Tiki Bar. We took the courtesy golf cart to ride to dinner which included live music and a lively crowd.

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Today we had planned to cruise up to Belmont Bay Harbor but Mary was not feeling especially well and there was a ‘small craft advisory’ in effect until 6pm due to high winds on the Potomac. So we’ll continue our journey toward Washington DC tomorrow as the weather continues to improve. In the meantime, Larry had time to install a new radio on the boat and work on the speakers and sound system on the helm.