Our hearts are heavy now. Harvey, Irma, Jose, and Maria have all created havoc with places we know and with people we love. Sympathy and hopes for quick recovery are sent to those in Texas for all of the flooding and damage caused by Harvey. Galveston, which suffered greatly due to the hurricane, is a special place for us as Jeff, our youngest son, attended and graduated from college there at Texas A&M Maritime Academy, Sarah, his wife, studied medicine at University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, and they were married there 10 years ago. We can only hope things quickly improve for Galveston Island and for all of the other areas so hurt by that horrible storm. As for Irma and Maria, words just can’t express how we feel seeing our beloved islands in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the Turks and Caicos so broken and battered.   And then Irma turned on our home state of Florida, making us worry for everyone we know there, for our old neighborhood, and especially for Jason and his family who live in New Port Richey on the west coast and for Kelly and her family that live in Jacksonville. Both kids did fine, but for the state and those that did not, we are speechless, truly speechless.

So, what do you do when you live on a boat and there are unpredictable monster storms in the Atlantic Ocean and in the Gulf of Mexico? Basically you hide out. The Chesapeake Bay is filled with rivers and creeks that make for wonderful hurricane holes, so, as we just haven’t been confident in the turns that weather forecasters have predicted, we wait and see what happens. We are anxious to continue our journey south, but once we leave this bay and head back into the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), we will be back in the low country; that is not a good place to be if another storm decides to roar its vicious voice.

Our first stop in this segment of our journey was in Onancock, VA. We enjoyed our visit there last spring, and this time we had an even better reason to cross to the Eastern Shore once again. Our good friends, Becky and Judd Everhart and Donna and Gary Rosenthal own homes in Chincoteague, VA and they were going to be there for Labor Day Weekend. We have seen Becky and Judd occasionally over the duration of our trip, both in Connecticut and when they came to spend time with us in Grenada last year, but we hadn’t see Donna and Gary for about six years. We all have such a wonderful time when we are together and making the trip across the bay where they could drive down and see us was high on our priority list! On September 2^nd, the four friends found us at our dock in the afternoon and we spent a glorious time catching up, laughing, and talking about old times, and finally having dinner at Mallards, the restaurant at the marina. The time passed far too quickly; we look forward to seeing them all again sometime in the future.

On September 4^th, we crossed back to the Western Shore and started our travels up rivers and creeks to avoid any chance of meeting up with Irma. We found a safe anchorage in Jackson Creek near Deltaville, VA, then we moved up the Rappahannock River to the Corrotoman River and then to Meyer Creek for a couple of nights. All of these anchorages kept us about 20 miles up the Rappahannock River on the west side of the Chesapeake Bay, far from the Atlantic Ocean, in case Irma decided to skip the south and skirt on up to the Mid-Atlantic.

At the Bridge Marina in Urbanna, VAScenes about town in UrbannaHere, oyster shells abound!The yacht club on the hill.Scenes from a dinghy ride around UrbannaLook who is waiting ashore!

Continuing to stay out of Irma’s reach, we found ourselves at a lovely marina in Urbanna, VA. Urbanna is a quaint little town that is in easy walking distance from the marina. There are restaurants, shops, and a nice grocery store nearby. The grocery store was close, but not close enough to walk from carrying groceries, so I asked Don, the dock master how he would suggest I could get back with some provisions. His answer was kind and generous. He handed me the keys to his personal car and sent me on my way. We stayed in Urbanna two nights before moving to Yopps Cove nearby. Here we began our Jose watch.

A beautiful sunset on the Posquoson River in Fish Neck, VA

While we weren’t too worried about actually being hit hard by Jose, we knew that the water would probably be high and rough on the bay. We also knew that Maria was following close behind, and we wanted to be well prepared for anything that might happen. From our Yopps Cove anchorage we moved to Fishing Bay, again near Deltaville, and then on September 14^th, transitted the Mobjack Bay, to the York River.

Duck blinds on the way to Yorktown. They seem other-worldly to me.At the dock on the Riverwalk in Yorktown, VAThere is a lovely beach in Yorktown, and I made sure to spend time there.Along the RiverwalkThis bookstore was like something out of the 1800’sA little library outside of Ben and Jerry’sAt the farmers’ marketAnother scene at the Riverwalk.Along the Historic Main Street in Yorktown.  These homes are now privately owned.Yorktown’s Victory Monument which celebrated the surrender of Cornwall’s army at Yorktown.There are 13 women on the monument.  They symbolize the 13 original colonies.  They are all holding hands except two, who are shoulder to shoulder, signifying that there was room for more colonies in the future.The Alliance and The Serenity on an evening sail.

The nights of the 15^th and 16^th were spent in Yorktown, VA at the Yorktown River Landing on the Riverwalk. This is a lovely place to visit. There was a wonderful farmers’ market, a trolley that takes visitors around Yorktown to the battlefields and other sights, a free concert in the park on Friday evening, which even Kirby got to attend, and a nice walk through Main Street, Yorktown’s Historic District. We were docked next to two lovely green sailboats, the Alliance and Serenity, which conduct cruises for passengers. Kirby’s greatest joy was hanging over the edge of AfterMath and greeting all the people going by, and mostly they all stopped to give him a pat. If we had more time we would have taken the free transportation to Jamestown and to Williamsburg, but, as we had been those places in the past, we decided to forego the trips and to move to a protected marina across the river to wait out Jose and to figure out what Maria had in store for the east coast of the U.S.

York River Yacht Haven Marina, here in Gloucester Point, VA, is 33 miles away from the Atlantic. The docks are lovely, there is a great restaurant here, and they have a courtesy car that has finally allowed us to get to a groomer for Kirby, who was sadly in need of a haircut. In fact, so sadly in need that he had to be shaved down. So, while we wait for Maria to figure out what she has in store for us, we also are waiting for Kirby’s hair to grow! We have enjoyed our time here, though. The Alliance and Serenity moved here on our dock for a couple of nights while they were also watching Jose’s progress, and the Coast Guard comes to join us almost daily in their training boats and for lunch or dinner.  We love talking to the Coasties and they too stop to give Kirby a pat or two. There is a pool here and, while the water is cooler than I normally like, I’ve been in each day for a soak and a relaxing time on land.

We expect to leave York River Yacht Haven soon, but each day seems to still bring some uncertainty with the storms that have been so damaging this year. In the meantime, we send our love to everyone who has been without electricity, who has spent time boarding up their homes, who has had to prepare for storms that may or may not have come their way, and, especially, for those who have lost property and possessions or worse, whether in the states or in any of the beautiful islands so bruised this year. Once again we are reminded that life is for living. Look for the beauty and take it in whenever you can. Hug those next to you. Do what you can to be safe, but don’t be afraid to take a chance. Help others when you are able. Life only passes us by once; please, make the most of it.

It seems to me that it’s all about perspective. Seeing the world from different angles, with different people. Understanding where you are by approaching it differently. Finding new places that you just never knew existed. Viewing familiar sights in a new light. Never losing the love of learning and discovering. Never wanting to stop laughing and sharing and having fun. Never losing respect for those who have suffered. This describes our time over the past couple of weeks, the time we spent on the Potomac and in Washington D.C. with Chris and Sam.

Kirby and I took a walk while AfterMath’s was being attended to.  This is the lawn at Hartge Marina in Galesville, MD

John and I left Annapolis on August 15^th and traveled a short distance to Galesville, MD again. Once there, John found a leak in a fuel valve that needed to be looked at, so we pulled into Hartge Marina to have a mechanic check it out. It turned out to only be a gasket than needed tightening and soon we were on our way to meet our good friends, Chris and Sam.

The plan was to traverse the Potomac River with Chris and Sam and make our way to Washington, D.C. Many cruisers spend time in the Chesapeake Bay, but most do not travel the distance of the Potomac River. It is long, 192 miles round trip. The only way back is the way you go, but the voyage was a dream of mine, and John agreed a long time ago to navigate it for me.

Of course we are always happy to see our Coastie friends along the way.And we can never get enough of watching the Navy jets flying overhead.

We started out by traveling to Zahniser’s Marina in Solomons, MD. The marina there had a shuttle, so I was able to provision for us and for our friends at a local supermarket. I probably should have known better, as Chris and Sam showed up on the 18^th with two huge carts full of supplies for the trip and countless goodies for Kirby. Groceries stowed, and happy hour ready, we caught up on all of the family news and made ready for the journey to follow.

The clouds were gorgeous that morningThe church in the historical park at St. Mary’s College.At St. Mary’s College.  Chris and Sam and AfterMath in the background.The old State HouseNo, she’s not mixing drinks, she’s chopping garlic.We enjoy good meals on AfterMath!

The following day, we all traveled to St. Mary’s in MD. We were the only boat in the lovely anchorage, and there we hopped aboard Tangent and took a ride to the shore. St. Mary’s College, in St. Mary’s, is a liberal arts college on the Potomac. It’s beautiful, but really quiet. I’m not sure who chooses this college, but they do have an accomplished sailing team and a park that documents the history of the area.

Waiting for the trolley to pick us up at the marina in Colonial Beach.Aboard the trolleyAn antique car show in town.Colonial Beach, VA

On Sunday, AfterMath and crew moved on to Colonial Beach, VA. There we took a trolley ride that we will remember for a long time. It was a new perspective and there weren’t many of us on this 50 cent a person tour. The gentleman who conducted it took it very seriously, showing us the senior citizen center, the 100 year old trees, the local grocery store, the NAPA auto parts store, the swans in the water, and much more. We had all we could do not to laugh out loud as he guided us through town, and it was even harder when Chris and I continued on part of the tour a second time. We stayed on to disembark at the beach, but, although no new guest boarded the trolley, we heard the exact same description the second time. It was all in good fun, though, and we certainly got our money’s worth!

Our cereal and cracker boxes ready to view the eclipse.Our first view of the eclipse.Sam, getting it all set up!Success!

Monday, August 21^st brought a new excitement. It was the day of the eclipse and we were not about to miss it! The night before we prepared cereal and cracker boxes according to directions we found on the Internet. We also had paper plates ready with pinholes in them to watch the big event. When the time came, though, we found the best way to watch the eclipse was through binoculars aimed at the sun and projected onto paper with one lens covered up, thanks to my Facebook friend, Orrin Winton, who used a telescope the same way. Sam, Chris, and I had a great time watching what we could and calling John from the helm to witness the event. Unfortunately, clouds came in right at the peak of the day, but we at least got to see some of the eclipse on AfterMath. Soon after, though, a tremendous storm approached and our docking at Occoquan Harbor Marina in Woodbridge, VA became quite a challenge. John handled the wind and the rain amazingly well, as always, and we soon docked despite the horrible conditions.

You have to wonder who lives in these houses along the Potomac.Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home, from the Potomac.

The next day we passed beautiful homes and Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home, which we visited just a few weeks ago with Kelly, Jeff, and their families. It was so unusual, and such a different perspective, to see Mount Vernon from the Potomac River.

Entering the National Harbor.  The giant in the sand.Watch out if you are on the Ferris wheel!Inside the Gaylord HotelThe Ferris wheel the first night, all red, white, and blue.At the Gaylord Hotel, a laser and dancing fountain show.Meeting up with a few celebrities at the National HarborAlways helpful, Chris found this lady weighed down with bags.  Funny thing, the lady never moved!What trip to a tourist area is complete without visiting the candy shop?I met this gentleman in the old torpedo factory, now a home for art shops, in Alexandria and asked if I could take his picture.  He was from Iran and 100 years old.King St, Alexandria, VAThat’s Chris and me inside the new MGM hotel and casino at the National Harbor.New colors on our second night at the National HarborIt is so pretty when you are on the Ferris Wheel.

We traveled on to the National Harbor in Washington D.C. I had only seen or heard of the National Harbor when our daughter, Kelly, and her family visited it a year or so before. It is a busy place, full of fun and excitement. There is a beach where a giant struggles to escape the sand, a huge Ferris wheel that is beautiful beyond belief at night, a carousel, a long walkway along the shore, countless restaurants and hotels, and statues, some of which that look so real you wonder if they are just people waiting for tips like those you find in Key West. We spent two days at National Harbor, walking the town, catching a laser show at the Gaylord Hotel, and taking a trip on Wednesday to Alexandria, VA where we had a wonderful lunch after taking the tour along King St. The history in this area of the United States is remarkable, and we all felt like we were living it for the first time. The last night at the National Harbor was capped off by a ride on the Ferris wheel. The top of the wheel is 180 feet off of the ground, and the whole ride is a beautiful and amazing sight. If ever you find yourself in D. C., be sure to make the trip to the harbor to ride this wheel. It is a ride you will long remember.

Ft. McNair in D.C.Inside Trump HotelD. C.’s fish market right near the marina.

Thursday, AfterMath and crew moved to the Capital Yacht Club in Washington, D. C. It is an area under construction, and one that will be beautiful when complete, but it was a bit of an inconvenience right now. The marina is about a one half hour walk to many of the attractions, but the construction added a couple of blocks to the distance to town. Cutting through the construction site each time we left or returned, we were spoken to by workers about our indiscretions; somehow it never stopped us. We had all been to D.C many times and we skipped most of the standard monuments this time but we managed to tour the Holocaust Museum for the first time, the Federal Bureau of Engraving, the Trump Hotel, the Museum of American History, and the Fish Market. The Holocaust Museum was an experience long to be remembered. I don’t think I will ever understand just how it all came to be. How did so many people die for no reason at all? How did people feel right about what they were doing? It is just inexplicable to me. The Fish Market was an eye opener as well. How many of you knew there was such a great fish market right in D. C.? We had dinner at a local beach bar, and heard bands playing in the park one night and ate fresh fish from the market the next. I really never realized how close Washington, D. C. was to the water, once again, a new perspective.

Courtney’s Seafood Restaurant – it looks like a dive, but the food is amazing.Mrs. Courtney and her daughterMr. and Mrs. CourtneyIt was a rainy night and the tidal surge was up.  Here is the road outside Courtney’s when we went to dinner.

Finally it was time to start our way back down the river. On Saturday, August 26^th, we anchored in a beautiful anchorage on Mattawoman Creek in Maryland, and on Sunday we stayed anchored in Canoe Creek, also in Maryland. Finally we moved to Point Lookout Marina for our last night with Chris and Sam. There we had dinner in Courtney’s Restaurant, a real family operation where the dad fishes, the mom cooks, and the kids serve dinner. The food was wonderful and Chris, Sam, John, and I reminisced about the amazing time we spent together traveling the Potomac River and visiting Washington, D. C. in a most unusual way. Chris and Sam left Tuesday to return to Connecticut, but not without leaving us with memories we will always treasure.

Wednesday night found John and me back near Reedsville, VA and now we are back in Onancock, VA where we will meet up with more good friends, Becky, Judd, Donna, and Gary this weekend.

So, we continue to have adventures that are not the norm. It is good to see things in a different light. It keeps us thinking, makes us appreciate who we are, what we have, and whom we love. Our friends make us laugh, keep us remembering the past, looking forward to the future. We find much to appreciate every day. Our perspective is always changing, and that’s a good thing. It’s important to look at the world every day in a fresh new way. And it’s important to live your life to its fullest.