Norfolk, VA, Cape Charles, VA, Tangier Island, VA, Solomons Island, MD and St. Michaels, MD

Norfolk, VA is a perfect town to walk around. We docked the boat at a marina right in the heart of the cities waterfront, which has an impressive walking path that follows the perimeter of The Elizabeth River. We toured the oldest street in town and looked at the old homes of Freemason Street. We then toured the not so oldest pubs of Granby street. The following day brought us to the Chesapeake River and after four hours of easy cruising we arrived at Cape Charles, VA (32NM). This town is definitely on my favorites list. Larry asked a stranger about her golf cart and where to rent one. The next thing we know we are in the back of her Club Car racing off to the rental shop. Friendly people, beautiful beaches, a great brew pub and wonderful seafood…who can ask for more? But, away we go, off to Tangier Island. This island is on the National Register of Historic Places so we couldn’t pass by with out giving it a visit. We make pretty good time through the crab pot feilds…thousands of crab pots! After about four hours we tie-up and tour the little island (37NM). Our only major miscalculation on this trip was not realizing this island is ‘dry’. Not a pub in site. So back to the boat we go. A nice barbeque salmon dinner and contraband cocktails and we are happier than clams. Off the next day to Solomons Island (39NM) where we put the tender in for a little ‘area familiarization’. We find a few entertaining establishments and then head back to the boat for dinner as another day of travel brings us to St. Michaels (45NM). We find a nice spot to anchor for the evening and while we still have daylight we pop the tender over and head to town. St. Michaels has a charming waterfront with a rich maritime and fishing/crabbing history . We dock the dingy and walk around town then head back to the Independence. We have a wonderful sunset and the winds are light when we go to sleep but the winds really kicked up after dark. I am just not that comfortable with the exposed feeling of overnight anchoring in strong winds. The anchor alarm goes off often as we swing but the anchor hold was good and in hind site there was no reason to have worried. That being said, I am thankful our next stop is in a marina at Annapolis, MD…for two days!

Look who joined us on the Independence…Keith Hennessey! In port at the Norfolk marina right in the heart of the city.

An Abbey turned into a bar and restaurant

Freemason Street. The cities oldest surviving cobblestone street dating back to the early 18th century. Like Savannah they used the stones that were originally used as ballast in ships.

Leaving Norfolk for Cape Charles. War ship 58 being moved by my favorite tugs. Larry had to hail the War ship 58 to get permission from their captain to pass.

There were at least four of these large commercial fishing vessels working as we were attempting to enter the channel for Cape Charles.

Love this sign spotted in ‘Shanty’s’ restaurant and bar. Great seafood here, by the way…

Sweet Laura (a local) giving us a lift to the local golf cart rental.

Beautiful white sand beaches of Cape Charles

The path to the brewery that you take if you are in a golf cart

The main industry in Tangier is crabbing. Nice collection of crab trap markers…you would not believe how hard it is to see these floats when they are in the water. We have gone by thousands in the Chesapeake Bay.

The island has a VERY high water table so people build platforms to protect their golf carts. Golf carts are the main means of transportation.

Love the house and especially the tighty-whities hanging on the laundry line in the neighbors yard to the left.

Tangier Island is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The island is a ‘dry island’ no alcohol is served anywhere. So, we had cocktails and dinner on the boat.

Taking the tender to the legendary ‘Tiki Bar’ of Solomons Island.

A little beer, a little live music and a little bean-bag toss

Sitting pretty in the anchorage outside St. Michaels

In front of one of the channels off the little harbor of St. MIchaels. Photo by Keith Hennessey

The ‘Selena’. You can hire her crew to take you on a sunset cruise