We left Charleston a month ago, and we made the big leap around Cape Hatteras. This was a sail that i had been looking forward to anxiously for a while, because going around the cape can be tricky.
For us, it alternated between too much wind and then not enough wind, so, fairly standard for life on a sail boat. Once we were actually nearing the point, the wind dropped so much, we decided to go into Pomlico Sound and explore some of the small islands there. We actually ended up anchoring at Ocracoke Island.; something we hadn’t planned on doing until after going around Cape Hatteras
Ocracoke was really cool, and I’m so glad we visited. It ended up being one of our only stops in North Carolina, and we got to stretch our legs, and to learn about a totally unique place. This island has had been people on it since the 1600’s, has a unique brogue, and a long history of fishing and boating.
We only stayed one night (long enough to get a brownie sundae), and then the next morning fled quite early to officially round the cape, and to flee an incoming storm. Our goal was to get to Norfolk Virginia, heading through the Chesapeake.
Luckily, we beat the storm and made it to a lovely anchorage in Norfolk. There we met other cruisers we had crossed paths with in Grenada, and were introduced to our first baby peepers- what I call the nests of Ospreys that are so delicately woven on the navigational markers in the river. Mom and dad take turns hunting, and the babies peep peep peep all day to remind them they are hungry. VIMS has placed cameras on many nests so you can check them out too, and I found them so endearing. When we cruise around, we pass by fairly close to the nests, and you can see the fuzzy head of chicks as they peep peep peep. Baby Peepers! I hear them now still.
Once in Norfolk, we found that they were celebrating an annual tradition of Harbor Fest, which lead to many cool opportunities. We saw live bands, fireworks and drone shows, and got to tour some old sailing vessels. We also got to tour the Warship Wisconsin, and use the gym at Old Dominion University, a gorgeous campus. Norfolk was very interesting, but we didn’t love it, so we started our journey to DC for July 4th.
Along the way we made our first stops in Maryland, which we found idyllic and beautiful. We anchored in the Solomons Island, and then later Tall Timbers and Pope Creek. We found the bugs in Maryland to be impressive. Later, we turned into the Potomac and anchored next to Mount Vernon- George Washington’s house- and took a morning tour on a very hot Saturday. It felt unreal to anchor next to a founding father’s mansion, and to see the surrounding land as he had seen it in his time. With so many rules and regulations in place, it still feels unusual to get close to something so important, like going through TSA with your shoes on.
Of course, even after following every single rule and buying tickets online and speaking with the wharf master, we were still met by a perplexed armed security guard who was at a loss for how we could be there at 9am next to the water when the gates just opened. It took some explaining.
After Mount Vernon, we stayed a few days in Alexandria, where we took another walking tour and emptied the Trader Joe’s of every food item. My highlights for Alexandria were the Mount Vernon Trail, a beautiful walking trail around next to the river where a man gave me a Tibetan coin as a gift, and seeing the daily sailing camp for kids at our anchorage. And of course those baby peepers.
We finally moved the boat to P Street, next to the Washington DC PD. I must say, I love Washington DC so far. Paul and I have been enjoying our central location, use of the Capital Bikeshare, and the immense amount of museum exhibits one can see for free. In our true nerdy fashion, we have visited all of the monuments on the National Mall, including visiting the top of the Washington Monument, which was amazing. We have visited the Smithsonian: Natural History, American History, Air and Space, the National Gallery, The National Zoo, The Hirshorn Modern Art, the Sculpture Garden, and my favorite: the Library of Congress, where we received our library cards. We have eaten ice cream, watermelon, corn, cucumber, mint, feta and other summer deliciousness. We have tickets for a Nationals baseball later today- and of course tomorrow is the concert on the Mall and fireworks.
It’s very hot here- heat wave hot, but we’re doing our best to stay cool while we visit everywhere we possibly can before we run out of time on this amazing anchorage. We can anchor for 7 days before we must leave the DC anchorage for 180 days. Very kindly, we received an extension to stay until the 5th so we are savoring every moment.
Xo
Lindsay and Paul
Lastly, I want to mention that are our hearts are with the people of Carriacou, Mayreau, Union Island, and others who have been affected so horribly by Hurricane Beryl. One year ago, we were in those locations to hide out for hurricane season. This massive storm, a direct effect of the worsening conditions due to climate change, leveled whole communities. While we await more news and information about the situation and how to help, keep in mind that this is the future for us all if we do not address this serious problem.
July 4th update: July 4th in the capitol was very special. We watched the parade in the heat of the day, ate hot dogs on the boat, wore red white and blue, and then sat in front of the Capitol building to watch the free concert on the lawn. We waved our little American flags and listened to the President’s band, and sweated through our clothes in 50% humidity. We came home to listen to (and sometimes see) the neighborhoods light off fireworks most of the night. Now we’re officially on our way to Annapolis.
TIBURON MARINO 