Crab Cake

Ware River sunset

Temperatures warmed a bit overnight. A welcome change in that the previous night in the North River had dropped to 48° (F). So the second sleeping bag found itself back under the fore deck. Mountain House Breakfast Skillet, strong coffee with a splash of Irish, plenty of feeding dolphins, and a watercolor sketch made for a swell breakfast.

By 9:30, with wind out of the ENE at 10 knots, we were heading southeast through the Mobjack. Rounding Guinea Marshes I decided to head south for the traditional boat building area of Seaford and Poquoson.

Crossing Mobjack Bay on a beautiful day

Light downwind run across the York River... resorted to motoring into the Poqouson River and north up Chisman Creek. There were boat projects in progress.

 

 

 

Being that there was no restaurants around and I was hankering for seafood, I turned Annie south again. Crossed over Poquoson River, entered Lambs Creek and tied up at York Haven Marina. Had been there a few years back and wanted to take more pictures of decaying work boats. Its a gold mine.

My friend Dave Rollins restored the buyboat Linda Carol in the yard. She was tied to the dock looking mighty fine. 'Spartina' Steve photographed the boat for the Virginia Pilot back in July.  See the images here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The restaurant Surf Rider was just across the creek. Dave had brought me with the crew of the F.D. Crockett buyboat here and I new there was a crab cake worth ordering... 

 

The Hokule'a was docked there. She is one of Hawaii's outreach vessels that travels around the world. The crew are young folks that seemed to be off traveling.

 

It was dark when dinner was over and a good anchorage was close by wasn't apparent. I decided to stay on a finger pier as an outlaw. Oh well.

 

Friend's Day

An up and down night. First nights are like that... needing to find the new 'early to sleep' rhythm of being alone on the water. Steve was meeting me at 9:30 so I resorted gear and savored my coffee. As time grew near we headed toward the marina, and as Annie came alongside Steve appeared with gear bag and soft lunch cooler. And then we were off down the North River toward the Mobjack with a north wind shoving us south.

Mobjack Bay Marina    North, Virginia

The wind held through the morning as we plowed through the short chop. Steve took the helm and I kicked back in the cockpit. Turning up the Ware River we found a small cove in the lee. Dropping anchor we enjoyed the lunch Steve brought... fancy cheeses, salami, apples and French wine! Not the typical fare aboard, but no complaints.

 

We started up the Ware River but decided that we would return to the marina planning to get back before five. Tacking and motorsailing got us back and I again retraced our track to anchor overnight at the 'lunch spot'.

A Later Trip

With the sting of opting out of an early October sail and missing the Chesapeake Small Craft Festival waning, another opening emerged. Repacking Annie I set off early on Thursday the 13th for Matthews. Putting in at the Town Point Ramp south of town we motored south toward Mobjack Bay on glassy water. Clear, cool and beautiful. I had called my friend Steve the Yodeler telling him to meet me at Mobjack Bay Marina the next morning for a day sail  up the North River. Anchored off Blackwater Creek to the first autumn moon rise.

 

A Lot to Do

These pictures really show the devastation at the St. Augustine City Marina and around. Photos: FishMonster Magazine

Hoping the Best

St. Augustine, Florida was our home for twenty-five years. We moved to Virginia four years ago but still keep close contact with our friends there. The storm surge of Hurricane Matthew has flooded this beautiful little city. I hope everyone is safe and they get back home soon.

This picture shows the Bridge of Lions from downtown yesterday. We lived just over the bridge.

This earlier post shows a lot calmer days...  click here

Postponed (!*#!)

I cancelled my fall sail to St. Michaels. The weather had deteriorated to the point that it looked like a lot of sitting at anchor with the tent up. Friends did participate in the MASCF but with scheduled times after I decided to postpone until mid-October hoping that there will be a window of nice weather... for the most part.

Steve on Spartina is winding up his trip that included the festival. Looking forward to reading about his adventure.

Mid-Alantic Small Craft Festival, 2013    Maybe next year...