St. Michaels, MD to Coinjock, NC

October 21, 2019 - October 28, 2019

Monday’s weather was a great improvement over yesterday.  It was partly sunny with temperatures in the 60’s.  We were toasty warm in our enclosure as we motored south on the Chesapeake Bay to Solomons.  After getting fuel and water we arrived at Zanhisers Marina at 4:30 just before the office closed at 5:00 and got help with docking on a T-head.  We both took nice long showers and had pizza for dinner.  Zanhisers is one of our favorite marinas on the Chesapeake with great facilities and a shuttle to the grocery store.  

On Tuesday, one of our propane tanks had run out and the shuttle driver kindly agreed to take us to get it filled after she dropped the other boaters off at the grocery store.  Since neither of us had gotten to eat any of the crab mac-n-cheese I had made for the rendezvous I made some for lunch when we got back to the marina.  It was yummy! The rain and wind (the reason we stayed an extra day in Solomons) started at 4:30 and was quite strong all evening.

Wednesday we planned to make up the stay over day we had in Solomons and traveled 55 nm to an anchorage in Fishing Bay near Deltaville, VA.  We had been surrounded by numerous boats as we motor sailed on the calm bay with the wind behind us. Several boats had their spinnakers out.  Most of those boats had also chosen the same anchorage in Fishing Bay.  There were 22 boats in the anchorage by nightfall.  We enjoyed the peaceful, beautiful setting grilling chicken for dinner and eating in the cockpit while the sunset.  

We never stopped at this anchorage before,
but found it peaceful and quiet.
We will definitely put it on our favorite list,

Sunset on Fishing Bay

Thursday we motor sailed to Hampton, VA near the start of the ICW.  While we are out on the water we get to watch the marine life as it changes as we get further south.  We have been seeing lots of brown pelicans which are one of my favorite marine birds.  They usually fly close to the water to take advantage of the updraft and dive recklessly into the water to catch fish.  They aren’t attractive, but are very efficient birds.

The first thing we did in Hampton was have pizza at Bull Island Restaurant.  Their menu is limited but they have a gazillion craft beers on tap.  Hampton is a favorite stop just before we enter the ICW and we had a coupon for a free night so, of course, we stayed two nights.  Friday we did a little maintenance (my part was cleaning) in the stern area and then went out to lunch.  Have you noticed that eating is one of our favorite pastimes (LOL). 

We ate lunch at Venture and they had eleven
craft beers on tap!

Restaurant row in Hampton

The first real fall color we have seen

Can you tell I'm trying to be more
artistic in my photography?

On our walk to the water we encountered
this seafood market which had a huge
seafood processing building behind it.

This shrimp boat supplies the
seafood processing plant.

I'm a sucker for carousels, and
Hampton has a beautiful antique one.

Across from our marina was
Joy's Marina.  The reflexion
that afternoon was great.

Our next destination was Great Bridge where there is a free dock.  We got through the lock easily.  Just as an aside, the first time we went through the lock I was extremely apprehensive, but this time it was easy.  We got through the bridge only to find that the free dock area was full.  I searched the charts for a suitable anchorage near the bridge and found one at mile 27.  On the charts it looked iffy, but when we got there it was fine.  We spent a quiet, peaceful night anchored out.

Sunrise!

Our plan was to dock at Coinjock marina on Sunday, but when we called them they were full.  I did another search for an anchorage close by and found one seven miles past Coinjock.  We did stop at Coinjock for fuel, water, ice and a great lunch (they have great food - never been disappointed).  The anchorage was quiet and well protected from wind.  At around 7:00 pm there were some thunder rumbles but no rain or wind.  It should be a quiet night. 

Lola is enjoying the trip!

Thank you for reading my blog.