GOT CRABS?!

I think we’re finally getting a handle on this looping thing. My jitters are subsiding and the Captain and I seem to be settling into our roles. Our pace is probably a bit faster than we would like it to be, but we’re still learning how not to be Type A’s. Eventually we will just stop and smell the roses. Our dear friend Al called us this week and told us to slowwwwww down! Rob and I are both anxious to get north and enjoy the beauty of the Trent Severn Waterway, the Thirty Thousand Islands of Georgian Bay, and Lake Michigan. But Al is right, we need to put this thing in idle! 

Portsmouth was our first stop since saying adios to the ICW. By day, we walked the cute historic district and shopped at a farmers market. We stumbled upon the Commodore Theatre and saw the line outside. After inquiring, we found out that the Commodore is a restored 1945 motion picture theatre that now shows first run movies. So, we hopped in line and saw The Avengers. So glad we did…the Theatre was adorable. 

The Commodore is on the National Register of Historic Places.

View from the seats. Each table had a phone that you would use to order your drinks and food.

After the movie, we saw the storm brewing and ran to the dinghy. Had to stop for L.O.V.E. though!

By night we were under a tornado warning. Honestly, I couldn’t make this up if I tried! There we were, anchored in the Elizabeth River, flanked by Portsmouth and Norfolk, with town sirens blaring, our weather apps dinging and the TV telling us to take cover. Take cover?? On a boat?? At anchor?? The weather channel said Portsmouth would be hit at 7:27pm and Norfolk at 7:29pm. So at 7:20pm, we donned our life jackets and waited. It was a spectacular lightning show with the loudest thunder! FORTUNATELY, the tornado never touched down where we were anchored!

 

“Move to substantial structure”…that’s funny!

Hoping for the best…

After surviving the “almost” tornado, we began zigging and zagging our way through Chesapeake Bay and around the thousands of crap pots. They. Are. Everywhere! One thing I didn’t realize was the sheer size of the Bay. She is huge, beautiful and sometimes angry! The wind direction and wind speed, combined with waves is the difference between a calm and pleasant trip or a downright frightful one! We’ve had both! 

Mother’s Day was spent on the lower Eastern Shore in Cape Charles, Virginia. We found the local cidery, Busky Cider, and enjoyed a flight and some Battleship. I missed my mom and my girl so much, but the cider eased the pain!

You sunk my battleship!

When in Chesapeake…

Chicken leg, chicken neck and some squid oughta do the trick!

Viola!

From Cape Charles, we headed to Deltaville, Virginia on the lower Western Shore. Deltaville was packed with loopers which made for a fun time. The marina had bikes and a courtesy car. We love it when marinas have amenities that make visiting easy. We biked to the Maritime Museum and used the courtesy car for provisioning. I knew this town wasn’t for me when Nancy from the marina office told me that even the Target was about an hour away!

Replica of the Watermen shoes.

I’m loving all the *LOVE* signs

We have made it to ANOTHER state! Make that 6 states so far! Helloooooo Maryland! My brother, Mitch came onboard in Solomons Island, Maryland and cruised with us for 5 days. Solomons is a cute little seaside town with tons of marinas and good restaurants.

Gettin’ a new Salty Crew!

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church from 1889.

Loved the park-like setting at Spring Cove Marina

One of my favorite indulgences!

Custard and water ice combined = heaven!

Mitch’s friends, Joanna and Terry, dropped him off at the marina. We had dinner and drinks and a lotta good laughs. Rumor had it that Mitch was a bit nervous about boating so liquid courage was needed for his boarding…lol!

Terry, Joanna, Rob, Jill and Mitch.

 

We took a short trip up the Paxutent River, dropped anchor and dinghied to Sotterley’s Plantation. James Bowles built the original plantation home in 1703. During the 18th Century, the grounds grew to 7,000 acres. Using largely slave labor, it produced tobacco, wheat, corn, and cotton. The grounds were gorgeous and the history was fascinating. 

Outside of a slave quarter.

Inside of a slave quarter.

Startling to read this.

We spent the night on the hook in St. Leonard’s Creek. It was *opening* day at the beach at Vera’s so of course we partook in drinking, eating and playing giant Jenga.

We cruised from the middle of the Western Shore to the middle of the Eastern Shore to our next port of Cambridge. What a sleepy little town. Charming but sleepy. Blink and you’ll miss it. 

Had some delish Italian at Carmela’s Cucina. Love getting local knowledge that steers us away from the tourist traps!

We did our own Ghost Tour!! I screamed like a little girl and ran out. Captain wouldn’t even step foot in the graveyard…hahahaha!

From Cambridge, we headed to the Wye River.

Mitch on crew duty.

 

 

Mitch NOT on crew duty…lol

 

Captain’s night aboard Nautilus on the Wye River.

One-on-one time with Captain Rob…lol!

 

It was a spectacular anchorage that provided a beautiful backdrop for sunset.

Grateful for another amazing day!

Our last stop with my bro was St. Michael’s, Maryland. Fi-na-llyyyyyy I found a place I could call home! I absolutely fell in love with this beautiful and charming town and said over and over “I wanna live here”!

Pulling into the St. Michael’s Marina.

St. Michael’s Church

If we’re being honest, there are days I feel like this!

They say all good things must come to an end. Well this week with my brother was the trip that kept on giving. We were bringing my brother to Annapolis for *disembarkation” and had front row (literally) seats to the Blue Angels. Turns out the US Naval Academy was celebrating Commissioning Week. It is chock-full of activities all week long, culminating with graduation day on Friday.

We had such a fantastic time with my brother. It was sad to see him go. He’s already planning his next trip with us! He’s now experienced crew – he knows two new knots, how to work the windlass and how to attach the bridle.

We have a one-day turnaround on the boat before my parents board. We’ll start cruising with them from Annapolis after a full tour of the city and then see where the Bay takes us. Stay tuned…

Over and out!

xo, The Admiral