Portsmouth to Wormley Creek Marina, Va.

Tuesday, June 28-Portsmouth to Wormly Creek Marina, VA

We left around noon to finally head up north into the Chesapeake Bay.  The bay has many rivers and towns so we will take our time heading north and visit many new places. Upon leaving we encountered some major traffic, precisely a fuel ship being escorted by the Coast Guard. All three Coast Guard escorts were carrying with firearms and we were instructed to stay out of the secure zone surrounding the ship. We also left the channel and headed north a little too soon, as an aircraft carrier was due to arrive in three hours. That would have been a sight to see! As we headed north the wind picked up and so did the waves. Not a bad ride, but in the beams sea, Greeks Folly rolls.  Because of the waves and the rain, Colleta was happy when we turned up the York River. With some help from the marina, we found the narrow channel into Wormly creek. This small marina is family owned, very friendly and helpful to cruisers.  We will be here until after July 4 and we picked a good Marina to stay.  

Wednesday, June 29-Wormly Creek Marina.

The day was spent working. After a nourishing breakfast, we set right in getting busy. Colletta thoroughly cleaned the cabin of the boat as well as ridding the flybridge of the dead flies from Dismal Swamp. Tom worked on the outboard motor, ran electric cable for the freezer, and replaced his bike tires.  The day was very productive. After a "redneck shower", we enjoyed a beer on the back deck and docktails with Pam and John.  

Thursday, June 30-Wormley Creek Marina.

Tom and John headed into Yorktown and picked up our car from Enterprise.  Enterprise gives "Loopers" a discount so it is a good idea to get some transportation.  The car will be ours for the next five days as we plan on sightseeing, reprovisioning, and just looking around.  Tom and John picked up boat supplies for Short Vacation.  Tom and Colletta then ventured into Hampton after the outboard engine part. The GPS said 14 miles and a 45 minute trip. Wow. One of those places you can't get to from here.  The marina was in an out of the way place, and the part was the wrong one. The only positive of the road trip was a stop at Dairy Queen.  Back at the boat, we put the dingy in the water, and went exploring. There is a Coast Guard training station up a narrow finger of the river and we wanted to see it. It was a nice ride.  After a delicious chicken dinner, we watched 13 Coast Guard boats return to the station at dusk.

Friday, July 1st- Wormley Creek Marina 

After a quick breakfast, the four of us headed out to shop for supplies.  The stops included Home Depot, Walmart, Cosco - which of course included a hot dog lunch, Total wine, a resale shop and.            .  The other objective of the day was for Tom and Jon to get the rub rail installed on Jons dinghy while it was at the canvas makers shop.  The men got this accomplished and returned to the boat with fried chicken dinner and sea salt ice cream.  A nice treat.  Pam and Colletta enjoyed cocktails aboard In Speyered as they had returned to their boat earlier in the day.

Saturday, July 2nd - Wormley Creek Marina 

Today was spent in Colonial Williamsburg.  After a stop at the visitors center, we went about exploring the area.  The historic area had 18th century shops, military reenactments, colonial markets and programs scheduled throughout the day.  We visited the Governor's Palace and beautiful gardens, the Capitol, a brickyard, a blacksmith and tin shop, and the public jail.  One of the highlights was a 'public audience with Thomas Jefferson and George Wythe.' If only these two could be leading our country today- it would be wonderful; the ideals of our country were based on sound principal of freedom and rights, by the people and for the people!!! The other highlight was the Fife and Drum march down the Main Street to the Palace Green.  This touring and history stuff is tiring, we all came home and took a nap.  We enjoyed ending the day socializing on the deck of Greeks Folly.

Thomas Jefferson and George Wyth reenactment

Many of the issues of that time are with us today.

Two new friends we met at Williamsburg

 

Sunday, July 3rd - Wormley Creek Marina 

We found a Lutheran Church and attended the 930 service.  Like many churchs, the usual schedule had been altered for the summer.  The service had a small group of attendees and was held in the small chapel. The day was overcast and wet with rain or mist much of the day.  We went to historic Yorktown, to the Colonial National Historical Park.  Yorktown is where Cornwallis and the British troops surrendered to Washington to end the war.  Independence Day is celebrated tomorrow, July 4th, 1776; but the formal surrender actually occurred on October 19, 1781, 5 years later.  This area has so much history imbedded into the territory, both from the Revolutionary War and the Civil war.  The park tour guides were excellent, entertaining and extremely knowledgeable-real history buffs.  The day may have been gray, but we could feel the patriotism and pride, as  well as the awe that their area demands.  

Monday, July 4th - Wormley Creek Marina 

Happy Independence Day!!!!  The day is still rainy, overcast and gray but we are in good moods.  Tom picked up electric wire and fixed the power to the freezer- a relief and success on his part.  We just played on the boat with little jobs. The rain lasted most of the day and unfortunately the fireworks for the evening were cancelled.  We had docktails, the three boats, and dinner on Short Vacation- the holiday fare of brats, coleslaw, watermelon, potato salad and brownies- some things are just universal.  Some of the locals on the river shot off fireworks so we did celebrate too.