Cruising the Chesapeake/ Potomac Week 6

Leonardtown was a great place to stop over for a few days. Luke took a few photos of our views from the boat in the anchorage.

Monday afternoon, June 8

After our time at the library, we stopped and picked up Chinese takeout and ate it back at the wharf. Before going back to  the boat, we visited a bit with the owner of a tug named "Thistle" that was tied up at the dock.

About 4pm we decided to have Luke take us up the creek as far as the dinghy would go and then we would kayak the rest of the way where we could take out near the Food Lion.

Turns out we were able to go the entire way in the dinghy. We did have to paddle it over shallow spots and under a fallen tree.  Once tied off, Luke stayed with the boats while Brian and I went to shop. Coming back we found the tide had come in. Going back we had to gently climb onto the fallen tree and pull the boats over it then get back in.  An unusual way to provision, but it worked.  We made a special effort to stock up on canned goods.  We have learned that canned chicken is especially good.

We started to take advantage of the storage under the floor in the galley.

Tuesday we did not do much.  Brian pulled out my sewing machine and we worked together to get several jeans patched and a couple other small mending jobs.

Wednesday, Brian and the boys made several trips with the jerry jugs to get water to top off the tanks. They also brought me lots of fresh water and I did laundry in our nifty Wonder Clean washer. It works great. The breeze was perfect to hang everything on the lifelines to dry.

Thursday, June 11

Time to move on up the river.  We had originally planned to go to Old Tobacco River, but since there was no wind and we were motoring and making good time, we went past that and anchored in Mattawoman Creek. Total nautical miles for the day was 56 miles.  It had been a hot day, so as soon as the anchor was down, we changed into swimwear and jumped in to cool off.

After dinner, Brian and I kayaked over to the state park and walked around. Beautiful area!
The next morning we discovered the mayflies had taken over the boat. Green dots everywhere.
While Brian was on a phone call, the boys were compounding and waxing the bottom of the dinghy. Hopefully it will help to keep growth down on it. I did some housekeeping inside and then tackled the sugar scoop to clean up after the mayflies. We got the anchor up and made the final 26 miles to DC.

We went past Mt. Vernon, home of George Washington.

And Fort Washington

Sailing past Alexandria, we saw the L'Hermione replica. It has been making appearances up and down the Chesapeake.  This was the ship that the Marquis de Lafayette came on to help George Washington fight the British in the Revolutionary War.

We continued on and anchored in the Washington Channel at 2:30pm. Brian and Jacob went to shore to see about dinghy tie up at the Capital Yacht Club.  For $16 a day we were allowed to tie up and use all of the facilities.  While they were there, they saw a sailing friend from New Bern.

There were some interesting house boats in the marina.

As well as yachts of all sizes.

We all came up to the clubhouse for dinner. The club had hosted an event earlier in the day and we were invited to help eat down the leftovers. BBQ from Famous Daves!

Saturday, June 13

Museum Day. We walked to the mall and visited the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of the American Indian, the Natural History Museum and the American History Museum.

We walked to the Capitol Building.

Then down the mall to the Washington Monument, WW II Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Reflection Pool and Jefferson Memorial.

A few years ago, my Grandpa Shurley on one of the Honor Flights that would bring WWII Veterans to DC to see this memorial.

After all that walking we were, as some NC friends would say, slap wore out!
Thankfully there was plenty of bbq chicken left that we still had a good dinner and I didn't have to cook it.

Sunday, June 14

The boys had been missing waffles,as the waffle iron did not make the cut to come on the boat. The clubhouse had two and we got permission to use one. So I made waffles and we were also offered some fruit salad and biscuits and gravy leftover from their Saturday morning breakfast service.

Still worn out from Saturday's walking, we only ventured to check out  the Safeway store a half mile away.  Outside the store are some fountains that Brian had fun playing in.

 We came back and had lunch. The boys made a bee line for the AC in the clubhouse. Brian did some electrical work and I took a nap.   Brian wanted to check out the local fish markets just up the road and maybe get some shrimp for dinner.

But the prices were a bit steep for us and we walked back to Safeway and picked up fried chicken and ice cream instead.

Monday, June 15

We wanted to get an early start and beat the heat on sight seeing, but didn't get around to leaving until 10am. The weather was nice though and we had nice breezes and partly cloudy skies. We walked to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and got tickets for a 3:15pm tour. the ticket line for the Holocaust Museum was too long, so we decided to wait for another time. We then headed for the White House. We knew we were not going to tour it, but were still surprised at how far back we had to be to see it.

I guess thanks to last years fence jumper they are a little paranoid about tourist getting too close. We had to walk  through a field about the size of a football field to get to this fence.

Next we walked to 10th and E streets and saw the outside of the Ford Theater and the house across the street where Lincoln died.

On this same street is the Hard Rock Cafe.  I remember when I came to DC for an 8th grade trip how cool we felt to see it and get a t-shirt. 

Then it was on to Union Station.

Another walk back down the mall and time to rest before our BEP tour. 

Pictures were not allowed on the actual tour, but it was a neat experience to see.

Back at the boat, we gathered dinner making supplies and came up to the clubhouse. It started to rain, so Brian went back to shut windows and brought back some meat I needed to get cooked off. Boat refrigerators do not keep things as cool as needed, especially in the summer heat.  Lesson learned. If and when we buy meat, it needs to be cooked and eaten that day or the next.

Brian has decided we need a bike on board. So this evening he is meeting a guy at Safeway to possibly buy one off Craigslist.

 Stay tuned to see what happens next.