Cruising the Chesapeake Week 7 DC, Port Tobacco River, Colonial Beach, VA

 Tuesday, June 16

The Craigslist bike did not work out.  We sat at the Safeway fountains for a couple hours waiting on the guy who was," running a little late".  We went back to the boat and had lunch and then the boys and I hung out in the AC at the clubhouse and did the laundry while Brian did some work on the boat.  Later, Brian and I went for a walk and he picked up a burger.  While it was good, it wasn't $10 for a burger and fries good.

Wednesday, June 17

Our friends we ran into upon arrival in DC had given us their Metro passes that still had a bit of money left on them. We decided to give the family the Metro experience. Once was enough. The DC metro system is nice enough. Clean, efficient, but every single person had to have a pass, we were given 4. So even though there was enough $ on the 4 cards for everyone, we still had to buy 2 passes. No way to transfer $ from the cards to new cards.

We had taken it to Union Station where we got off and walked a dozen or so blocks to an Auto Zone so Brian could get some leak stop for something on the engine. Having our fill of the Metro, we decided to walk back. We stopped for our pb&j picnic lunch at the gallery of art sculpture garden and sat by and in the fountain.

We walked back to the boat and rested, made dinner and then went back to the clubhouse patio to hang out and take showers. Brian ended up giving the remaining Metro cards to a guy at the club who had been extra helpful and kind to us .

Thursday, June 18

Time to move on.  Anchor was up at 10:05. We stopped around the corner at James Creek Marina for fuel and then headed down the river.  We went about 50 miles and went into Port Tobacco River.  The river didn't have anything to do with tobacco, it's name came from an old Indian name.  We got the anchor down at 5:50.  It was rainy that evening and overnight.

Friday, June 19

We hung out on the boat. Brian and Jacob went kayaking. Later that afternoon Brian and I went exploring at Chapel Point State Park.  Just a small beach area. Drivers get to it from a highway and follow the dirt road through a wheat field.  That night brought more rain.  Lots of motor boats love to zip around in there, so we were almost constantly rolling a bit from their wakes.

Saturday, June 20

In our exploring, we found a couple rope swings that looked like fun. We moved the boat further back in to get better protection. Then everyone piled into the kayaks and we went over to play.

Another family told us about some holes in the cliffs around the corner. They had first thought wasps, but then saw barn swallows using them.

Back at the boat, we rested awhile then worked on dinner. Provisions are starting to get low, so since we were out of store tortillas, I made some. Luke made enchilada sauce for me and we managed to put a pan together.

There were more storms overnight. 

Sunday, June 21
Father's Day. We had breakfast burritos with the leftover tortillas. The boys went back over to the rope swings, Brian did more touch up repairs with his favorite marinetex stuff. I got caught up on some reading.  After dinner, Brian and I each got in a kayak and went paddling around.

Monday, June 22

Time to move on. Anchor was up by 8:30. Short trip over to Colonial Beach. Anchor was down at 11:10am in Monroe Bay. We fixed lunch and then got ready to explore the town.  Alexander  Graham Bell lived in a house here that is now a Bed and Breakfast.

We found the closest place for icecream, a 7-11, and headed for a park.

We also found Santa's sleigh.

Walking back to the dock, Nathan and I got a ride on a golf cart from some nice gentlemen we had met at the marine supply store. The others came along a while later.

They had a Coke machine that still sold cans for 50 cents, so we shared a couple and relaxed in the shade awhile.  We paddled back to the boat and Brian continued on to explore.  We made dinner and then got a surprise visit from a swan family. They seemed to be looking for a handout, but we didn't have any bread to offer.  I was surprised by how close they came.

Tuesday, June 23

Today is the hottest this week.  We gave haircuts on the sugar scoop of the boat over the trashcan, Brian changed a filter and then took apart the compass. It has had a bubble and he researched how to fix it. the boys and I are at the library while he walked to the store for mineral spirits to fix the compass.

Colonial Beach is a lovely town, easy to walk where ever you need. The people are very friendly. Not sure how long we will stay, but are enjoying it while we are here.