Caledonia to Sail

Here’s a photo of Caledonia still moored at Nauticus. Chris, Heather, Jackson and Ella visited this weekend and we took them for a tour of the ship then a ferry ride. Cool but sunny day. The Caledonia is scheduled to depart on Tuesday so Sue and I will get one last day of work this Monday. Then back to retired life :-).

Winter work on SV Caledonia, from Halifax

No sailing on Tides Inn during these winter months, so Sue and I have been working on the Canadian Sailing Expedition's barquentine SV Caledonia. The boat is here in Norfolk for yardwork. They were refloated on 7 Feb and doing final fitting out at Nauticus wharf at Waterside.
We've mostly been doing odd carpenter jobs like securing galley/pantry shelves, building fire-fighting gear storage locker, building chart drawer, etc... For awhile I was "Mr firedoor closure mechanism" man, but that job is mostly finished.
The Caledonia is being fitted out as a luxury cruise boat that will cruise Nova Scotia in the summer and Guadalupe in the winter. Passengers can pitch in with hoisting the sails if they desire.

Dry Tortugas Visit

What a fantastic place the Dry Tortugas is and few Americans get to experience it. Waters are crystal blue. The fort is extremely interesting; the snorkling fantastic. And, we actually saw the "green flash" two sunsets in a row! A must visit spot. Click for more photos.

Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River Cruise

It was a clear and breezy day upon departure from Chisman Creek. Too breezy it turned out and we decided to head for shelter in nearby Goose Creek. Lots of wind for the wind generator :-).

The next day was a sunny and windless day and we motored easterly across the bay into a inlet on the Eastern Shore. Water levels were pretty skinny here, about 5ft. Treated to a fantastic sunset looking west out into the Bay.

Next Stop - Tangier Island. Water level buildings begin to line both sides of the channel as you approach the town from the east.

Parks Marina is the place to stay at Tangier Island. Or you can anchor outside the channel on either side of the island depending on wind/seas.

From Tangier Island, we sailed up the Potomac to Washington DC, then returned home to Chisman Creek, Yorktown. The Potomac River has some of the best anchorages and side creeks we have explored on the Chesapeake. One of the best is St Mary's River just inside the mouth of the Potomac on the Md side. Dont miss this great cruising location.
Also, while its a long motor up the river to Wash DC, its a great destination with plenty of anchoring room right downtown off Maine Ave. The new I-95 bridge is plenty high enough for sailboats to pass under without the midnight lift restriction of the past.
Here is a link to some select photos... they really dont do justice to what a great scenic trip this was.