10/10, Saturday – Fuel, water, trash and waste were the morning chores in prep for leaving Annapolis, even in the middle of the boat show. 
A grand time had by all, but time to move on. The ride out turned into a dreary, overcast, lumpy ride to Dunn Cove; a spot on the Eastern Shore recommended by the guide books. We took the “short cut” through Knapps Narrows which included a lift bridge. We were a bit behind the previous set of boats so the tender needed to let it down for traffic. Just about when we were getting blown onto the pilings he put it up for us to pass on through. The channel heading out was quite skinny – we kept visiting that 1.9 feet below the keel number that I hate seeing! Dunn Cove is supposedly a very busy place in the summer. We shared it that evening with birds, fish and finally one more boat. The new anchor and windlass are working beautifully. 
10/11, Sunday – Yesterdays’ lumps were grandly rewarded by a spectacular ride to the Solomon’s. Light NW wind and full sun. And we got two fish on but alas, lost both. We have to learn the trick of keeping them when they leap out of the water. From the way they didn’t fight we believe they were good sized strippers.
We pulled into Solomon’s and got a hook down at @ 2:30. Mark got us right into the last available spot in the anchorage which only held about 8 boats. There was plenty of space elsewhere on the other creek, good reference for another time. The guy in the boat next to us was just getting back on his boat and told us that the local museum was having “free day”. Since we were parked right in front of the museum we jumped in the dingy and checked it out. It was very small town fair and quite sweet. The museum itself is a maritime museum and all about Chesapeake boats, the oyster industry and the local ecology. There was a tent set up for kids to build little boats and there must have been 15 tables with parent and kids hammering to their hearts content. Everyone was walking around with their prizes. A small town band was entertaining everyone with all the great pops classics and there were booths with artists selling paintings, jewelry (always tempting for me) and various crafts. So many talented people out there. The Lion’s Club was selling oyster sandwiches but they were sold out which disappointed Mark greatly. However the Kettle Popcorn booth couldn’t make it fast enough. I thought it was a bit silly, but it was good.
A grand time had by all, but time to move on. The ride out turned into a dreary, overcast, lumpy ride to Dunn Cove; a spot on the Eastern Shore recommended by the guide books. We took the “short cut” through Knapps Narrows which included a lift bridge. We were a bit behind the previous set of boats so the tender needed to let it down for traffic. Just about when we were getting blown onto the pilings he put it up for us to pass on through. The channel heading out was quite skinny – we kept visiting that 1.9 feet below the keel number that I hate seeing! Dunn Cove is supposedly a very busy place in the summer. We shared it that evening with birds, fish and finally one more boat. The new anchor and windlass are working beautifully. 
10/11, Sunday – Yesterdays’ lumps were grandly rewarded by a spectacular ride to the Solomon’s. Light NW wind and full sun. And we got two fish on but alas, lost both. We have to learn the trick of keeping them when they leap out of the water. From the way they didn’t fight we believe they were good sized strippers.
We pulled into Solomon’s and got a hook down at @ 2:30. Mark got us right into the last available spot in the anchorage which only held about 8 boats. There was plenty of space elsewhere on the other creek, good reference for another time. The guy in the boat next to us was just getting back on his boat and told us that the local museum was having “free day”. Since we were parked right in front of the museum we jumped in the dingy and checked it out. It was very small town fair and quite sweet. The museum itself is a maritime museum and all about Chesapeake boats, the oyster industry and the local ecology. There was a tent set up for kids to build little boats and there must have been 15 tables with parent and kids hammering to their hearts content. Everyone was walking around with their prizes. A small town band was entertaining everyone with all the great pops classics and there were booths with artists selling paintings, jewelry (always tempting for me) and various crafts. So many talented people out there. The Lion’s Club was selling oyster sandwiches but they were sold out which disappointed Mark greatly. However the Kettle Popcorn booth couldn’t make it fast enough. I thought it was a bit silly, but it was good. 10/12, Monday – On the departure from Solomon’s it was really tempting to turn back as it was again lumpy. The Solomon’s is a few miles up the Pawtuxet River and we decided to give it to the mouth. The river did have the down current against the wind. I took a pill and we pushed on through. Again a bit of a dreary day and I went to “my room” to cope while Mark had a grand time at the helm and indeed once we got outside it did get better even though the wind was from the east and on the beam. By noon we seemed to be driving south of it and it had laid down quite a bit. Looking at the long range forecast we decided to suck it up and do a long day about 50 miles, to Jackson Creek at Deltaville, VA. Yes, VA. We have crossed the Mason Dixon Line. The VA line is on the west shore of the Potomac – not down the middle. No wonder NH keeps making grabs at the shipyard. Jackson Creek has an amazing entrance.
The channel goes to within what looks like 10 feet and looking like you will drive right up onto someone’s beach before turning and going in to the creek. As usual the creek is much smaller than those lovely wide angel photos in the chart books, but we went to the “end of the line” dropped our hook and still several more boats came in behind us. We enjoyed a quiet evening listening to the Beatles on our Ipod (through speakers) and retired early preparing to be hunkered in for a day or two due to high winds. 
10/13, Tuesday – We woke up to…..fog! It was light and quickly dissipated. Meanwhile we heard there was the dreaded “S” word back at home. We made breakfast and were getting settled in for the duration. I turned on the computer and as is my habit went straight to the weather. It was still predicting the high winds and with even higher winds for 5 or so days afterwards. But there was no wind. We decided to make a run for it knowing that if it did come up it would be on our stern – a much more favorable angle and if we could get to Hampton Roads 40 or so miles away we would then be inside. So we gulped down our coffee, pulled up the anchor and headed out. What a glorious day it turned out to be. The wind never materialized and it was a lovely ride down even allowing some onboard work.
We chose an anchorage up the Hampton River and are just past the bridge – again shallow but deep enough. The local municipal dingy dock had lovely facilities for showering so we took advantage of them. We have not yet seen all the 
mega commercial and military traffic but will get that tomorrow. For now just enjoying 75 degrees on the aft deck and wearing shorts. Looks like we had better enjoy it as the reports are for a Nor’easter to sit off the coast for the next week. At least we are inside! For you non- boaters, inside refers to protection from the land! Tomorrow – Mile 0 – the official start of the ICW.
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