Annapolis

5/28-29/15

When we woke up it was very cloudy and the wind was really blowing, so we were concerned that we wouldn't be able to travel today. We left Tangier through the west channel the way we came in. Once we got out of the opening onto the Chesapeake, the waves were really big and hitting us on the side causing us to roll uncomfortably. We knew we couldn't tolerate these waves for long, so we turned around. We went back past the marina and tried the east channel. To the east of Tangier Island is Tangier Sound, which is much narrower and more protected than the Chesapeake. It was still pretty rough on this side but we were able to turn so the waves were on our stern. We could travel awhile on Tangier Sound, but then we would have to cut back over to the Chesapeake eventually. It was funny because to get back to the Chesapeake we had to go through Hooper Straight which is just south of Hooper Island. Somehow this area knew we had a dog named Hooper onboard that doesn't like rough water. As we came through this straight the Chesapeake was much calmer and continued to get calmer as the day went on. Soon the water was very calm, the sun came out and we had a great trip. It calmed down so much that we decided to press on all the way to Annapolis.

We had never been to Annapolis before so we weren't sure where to stay, but we usually like to be close to town. The City Dock is right in the heart of town and has a section called Ego Alley. It's a small canal where people parade up and down all day in their boats to see what's going on in town or to go to a restaurant or bar. We parked right in the middle of Ego Alley and enjoyed all the activity. 

We decided to stay an extra day to relax and see a little bit of Annapolis. We took a trolly tour around town and saw lot's of the famous places and learned the history of the area. We then went to Pusser's Restaurant for lunch and orded the famous Painkiller cocktail. It made us feel like we were back in the BVI's.

Hooper Island Lighthouse

Thomas Point Lighthouse

Coming into Annapolis Harbor

Trolly tour

Naval Academy from across the river

We had Painkillers and thoughts of the BVI's

Tangier Island

The 5/27/15

We left Portsmouth and went past Norfolk. We saw many more Navy ships in various stages of repair. We then went past some Navy ships and submarines that looked like they could soon be deployed.

We then headed out onto Chesapeake Bay. At the southern end the bay is very wide and open to the ocean, making it prone to be rough. As usual the weather forecast was wrong and it was much windier and the waves were bigger than forecasted. We were lucky that the wind was out of the south putting the waves right on our stern. If the waves have to be big, we prefer them on the stern. We were surfing up and down the waves, but were still pretty comfortable.

While we were traveling we could see schools of bait fish bubbling on the surface. We also saw many stingrays and I saw one small shark.

We went to Tangier Island and stayed at Parks Marina. The marina owner, Milton Parks, is 83 years old. He rode out on a two wheeled scooter to meet us, and tell us a bit about the island. Visiting this island is like stepping back in time. All of the buildings are very small and old. We didn't have any internet or cell phone service. Everywhere along the waterfront there are crab boats and small crab processing shacks. I'm so glad we stopped here and got to see this small island. There's lot's of history here and it is even more remote than some of the other small towns that we have seen. Plus we had delicious crab cakes for dinner.

More Navy ships being repaired

Tangier Island is very low lying, but we could see the water tower from a distance

Heading into the harbor

Crab shacks line the harbor

Sunrise at Tangier Island 

Fancy homes on a very small island just east of Tangier Island. Theses are much bigger & fancier than anything on Tangier

Portsmouth, VA

We finished going through the Dismal Swamp and crossed the border into Virginia. We arrived at the Deep Creek Lock, the last lock of our trip, about an hour and a half early. The timing actually worked out perfectly as there was a grocery store about a block away. We were able to stock up with supplies that should last til we get home. We then went through the lock which brought us down 10ft. to the waterway. Norfolk harbor was very busy, and quite a change from the serenity of the Dismal Swamp.

We fueled up in Portsmouth, Virginia because they had the cheapest price we've ever seen at $2.44/gallon. We then stayed at the free town dock in Portsmouth.

Dismal Swamp Canal

Crossing the border

Deep Creek Bridge

Deep Creek Lock

Railroad swing bridge and highway lift bridge. Didn't realize that both were open because work boats were coming through in the other direction. We got out of the way just in time.

We were nervous because we knew the tug boat driver couldn't see us, but then we realized there was a spotter on the bow.

Then this guy came through. 

Looks like a Navy ship being scrapped 

Aircraft carrier being worked on

Saw lot's of Navy ships being worked on

At the dock in Portsmouth

A lightship on display

Dismal Swamp Welcome Center

We left early because we wanted to cross Albermarle Sound before the wind picked up. The last time we were here it was very windy and the waterway was very rough. Even though it was nice having the water so calm, we still had to dodge thousands of crab pots. After crossing the Albermarle Sound we went up the Pasqoutank River to the Dismal Swamp. We went up 8 feet at the South Mills Lock to enter the Dismal Swamp. We stayed overnight at the free dock at the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center.

We took a ride on the canal with the dinghy. Further north there is a canal that goes to Lake Drummond. The lake is higher than the Dismal Swamp Canal so there is a dam between the lake and the canal. Normally there is a tram to transport the dinghy over the dam from the canal to the lake, but the tram was out of order, so we couldn't go onto the lake. It was a fun ride and we saw many turtles and 2 snakes. The round trip dinghy ride was almost 20 miles. I think that is the furthest we have ever taken the dinghy.

Tomorrow we will be in Virginia.   

Sunrise over the Alligator River

Hanger for a zeppelin 

The zeppelin 

Waiting for Elizabeth City Bridge to open

Only one side of the bridge was working

Railroad bridge

Pasquotank River

The South Mills Lock brought us up 8ft.

After the lock master let us through the lock, he hopped in his truck to drive to the bridge, to raise the bridge for us.

Dismal Swamp Canal

Floating pontoon bridge before the Welcome Center

The bridge swings open to let us through

Trail by the welcome center

At the welcome center

The canal to Lake Drummond

The dam for the lake

The tram was out of order so we couldn't explore the lake