Down the Potomac to Tangier and on to Portsmouth VA

         The trip down the Potomac was fairly uneventful.  The weather was calm if not always sunny.  We did come into an area where there were live fire exercises going on - this happened to us seven years ago too - and we were given very precise directions on how to get through the area.  Like the previous time, we didn’t see or hear anything out of the ordinary, but we certainly weren’t going to deviate from the route we were told to follow.  

Houses on "Narrow Beach" in Machadoc Creek 

We spent one quiet night in Aquia Creek and the following night in Machadoc Creek and then moved out of the Potomac back into the Chesapeake and over to Tangier Island.  Dan had fond memories of all the friendly feral cats there and both of us were looking forward to some ice cream.

Tangier was even smaller than last time we were here.  It is sinking - both the land is sinking due to isostasy (simplistically: when a tectonic plate levels itself - one end rises & the other sinks) plus the sea level is rising.  It doesn’t bode well for Tangier.  We pulled into the one and only marina (there are no anchorages) and tied up to the main dock. 

Willie Dawes at Parks Marina, Tangier

The long-time owner of the marina died this past spring, so staying there is on the honor system: there is a box to leave money, and a sign that gives the rates.  We assume someone in the family is now in charge, but no one came around when we were there.  We went ashore to stretch our legs. 

Tangier cat. Isn't he beautiful? 

There were a few cats, but not as many as last time, and everything was closed for the season, so no ice cream.  It’s a beautiful island and we walked the perimeter, enjoying the views of the marshes in the fall.  Spotted some great white herons, egrets, and a black-capped night heron.  We had a gorgeous sunset, too.

Marshes surround Tangier.

      Today we were up before sunrise to cast off and head for Norfolk.  We had a following sea which made things a bit rolly, but our autopilot handled it like a champ.  Dolphins came to greet us and play at our bow, and a golden-crowned kinglet came to rest on my clothesline for a bit.  (Fortunately Tommie never noticed.)  It was a 65 mile day, but here we are, at the Portsmouth Town Landing, mile marker 1 on the ICW!  

Golden-crowned kinglet