The kindness offered, extended, by Patti and Alan Sutton!! They organized a little dock party for our send-off. We all had a terrific time talking travel, boating, old experiences and new ones to be gained.
Patti and Pete enjoying a good laugh, Alan taking a picture. Others just enjoying the evening that Patti and Alan arranged for our departure on the 1st of May.
Rhonda joined us for the evening . . . hopefully we can convince her to join us for part of this trip like she did on our last one.
A departure view of Ocean Marine Yacht Center as Bonnie steers SONATA past the fuel dock and into the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River.
Up the river past Laberts Point we pass a USNS tanker and the Coast Guard.
For our Down East Loop we have a new burgee to display on the bow. You will see this in many of our pictures as we complete this adventure.
On our way out of the harbor we were escorted through the Hampton Roads Tunnel by the USS OAK HILL (LSD 51) . . . we agreed to stay out of his way.
Out of the harbor, East to the Thimble Shoals Light, thence North North East for Onancock, our first stop. Winds out of the SouthWest at 15-20 knots with higher gusts. A good push up the bay.
NNE some 65-70 miles from Ocean Marine you will find Onancock Creek; a quite and quaint place out of the wind with a nice dock at the head of the creek . . . our destination for the day.
We moored starboard side too, Onancock Wharf, where there is a nice place to eat, events to watch and enjoy and new persons to visit with.
First thing in the morning . . . two bright friendly faces; Patti and Alan Sutton. They were on their way to Chesapeake City (will arrive well before us) and decided to stop by and become our first visitors. We enjoyed coffee with them and then we both parted Onancock.
There was a party on the pier . . . not for our departure, but for the arrival of the Joyce Marie, the ferry boat from Tangier Island being financed in part by the Town of Onancock. Donuts, coffee, and a welcome crowd.
We departed Onancock, back down Onancock Creek to the bay, then North between Tangier and Watts Island, up past Smith Island, across the top of Smith Island and on to the Patuxant River Naval Air Station Marina where a dock space was to be available with water and power . . . power when you can find it. We left early the next morning, the 3rd, on our way to Annapolis. On the way to Annapolis we were surrounded by thousands of fishing boats, not fishing boats within the meaning of Rule 3(d) of the Inland Rules of the Road (although each boat thought he was . . . for he was to have the "right-of-way over everyone). The weather was poor, rain, cool. Nonetheless with hope springing ever eternal we went to look for a spot on "ego alley" in Annapolis. Bonnie went down the filled alley, turned around . . . and we were off to Chesapeake City, Maryland.
SONATA's GPS. We were making over 9 knots most of the way, wind and seas behind us. Only 10 miles to go to Chesapeake City and the C&D Canal.
As we approached the entry to the C&D canal a large barge pushed by a tug was departing. It is so good to be back into the boating world! It is so terrific out here!!
In Chesapeake City we docked at the Chesapeake Inn and enjoyed a terrific lunch at the Baynard House, a bed and breakfast on the C&D Canal. We will be off in the am for Cape May; crossing the Delaware.
The kindness offered, extended, by Patti and Alan Sutton!! They organized a little dock party for our send-off. We all had a terrific time talking travel, boating, old experiences and new ones to be gained.
Patti and Pete enjoying a good laugh, Alan taking a picture. Others just enjoying the evening that Patti and Alan arranged for our departure on the 1st of May.
Rhonda joined us for the evening . . . hopefully we can convince her to join us for part of this trip like she did on our last one.
A departure view of Ocean Marine Yacht Center as Bonnie steers SONATA past the fuel dock and into the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River.
Up the river past Laberts Point we pass a USNS tanker and the Coast Guard.
For our Down East Loop we have a new burgee to display on the bow. You will see this in many of our pictures as we complete this adventure.
On our way out of the harbor we were escorted through the Hampton Roads Tunnel by the USS OAK HILL (LSD 51) . . . we agreed to stay out of his way.
Out of the harbor, East to the Thimble Shoals Light, thence North North East for Onancock, our first stop. Winds out of the SouthWest at 15-20 knots with higher gusts. A good push up the bay.
NNE some 65-70 miles from Ocean Marine you will find Onancock Creek; a quite and quaint place out of the wind with a nice dock at the head of the creek . . . our destination for the day.
We moored starboard side too, Onancock Wharf, where there is a nice place to eat, events to watch and enjoy and new persons to visit with.
First thing in the morning . . . two bright friendly faces; Patti and Alan Sutton. They were on their way to Chesapeake City (will arrive well before us) and decided to stop by and become our first visitors. We enjoyed coffee with them and then we both parted Onancock.
There was a party on the pier . . . not for our departure, but for the arrival of the Joyce Marie, the ferry boat from Tangier Island being financed in part by the Town of Onancock. Donuts, coffee, and a welcome crowd.
We departed Onancock, back down Onancock Creek to the bay, then North between Tangier and Watts Island, up past Smith Island, across the top of Smith Island and on to the Patuxant River Naval Air Station Marina where a dock space was to be available with water and power . . . power when you can find it. We left early the next morning, the 3rd, on our way to Annapolis. On the way to Annapolis we were surrounded by thousands of fishing boats, not fishing boats within the meaning of Rule 3(d) of the Inland Rules of the Road (although each boat thought he was . . . for he was to have the "right-of-way over everyone). The weather was poor, rain, cool. Nonetheless with hope springing ever eternal we went to look for a spot on "ego alley" in Annapolis. Bonnie went down the filled alley, turned around . . . and we were off to Chesapeake City, Maryland.
SONATA's GPS. We were making over 9 knots most of the way, wind and seas behind us. Only 10 miles to go to Chesapeake City and the C&D Canal.
As we approached the entry to the C&D canal a large barge pushed by a tug was departing. It is so good to be back into the boating world! It is so terrific out here!!
In Chesapeake City we docked at the Chesapeake Inn and enjoyed a terrific lunch at the Baynard House, a bed and breakfast on the C&D Canal. We will be off in the am for Cape May; crossing the Delaware.
You all take care and keep us informed on how you all are doing. Any thing we can do on this end, let us know like rides for airport and material support kindof stuff. (money excluded) Wish we were with you. Things are looking good toward a good boating season for us.
ReplyDeletePete and Sue (& Peppy)