Rosie, I drove all over that stupid town -- hungry as hell, with a lovely
friend with me -- and I never found any place to eat but the gas station and
the restaurant that closed at 8:00

We were there in August and we went past it last week and it is
definitely operating. There used to be about 14 plants there, but
there is only one left, so some of what you see WILL be abandoned.
There are 14 boats operating out of the Omega Protein plant across
from Reedville in Tibitha near Fleeton which is across the creek from
Reedville (less than a mile by car)

you can drive to someplace to have
breakfast

when I drove there, the only place to get something to eat was at the gas
station, or the tablecloth restaurant that closed at 8:00 at night. We were
able to buy candy bars from a box in the lobby of the motel we stayed in.

There are two regular restaurants in Reedville. The Crazy Crab
restaurant is open mid -May to mid-December, Tuesday to Sunday 11:30
am to 9:00 pm, closed Monday.

And Tommy's (used to be Elijahs) They serve dinner from 5:30 Wednesday
through Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday.

So admittedly, there's no place to eat on Monday.

There's also the Cockrell's Creek Seafood Deli which is open Monday
through Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Sundays 11:00 to 3:00 (eat in or
take out) and Chitterchats Gossip Parlor which has ice cream.

There are two bed and breakfasts in town that serve breakfast to their
guests.

But what I meant was that you could drive to another town in a CAR.

For instance Fairport (on the west side of the creek) has a marina
with an onsite restaurant. It's about two miles by car and shorter by
boat. You could even do it on a bicycle. The restaurant features
soft crab - crabcakes, hamburgers and chicken sandwiches. Hours of
Operation: Wednesday to Friday 9 Am-10 Pm and Saturday to Tuesday 9
Am-5 Pm

And there is ROSIE LEE'S: Casual family dining. Fresh seafoods, meats,
homemade soups, daily specials, salad bar, prime rib. Open 7 days B,
L, D). Route 360, Burgess which is only about 5 miles from Reedville

like DeSmet (which I've never heard of).

Laura Ingalls Wilder once lived there. The town has two trees, one of which
they built a park around.

The only reference to De Smet that I can find in relation to Laura
Ingalls Wilder is in South Dakota. I can find no De Smet in Virginia.
I can believe that De Smet SD might have only 2 trees, but I think it
is a pretty far piece to go for breakfast from Reedville.


grandma Rosalie

Rosalie, great information. The type of detail that allows one to begin
to figure things out.

I usually only have about a week. Driving from Vermont is likely to eat
2 to 4 days. So even if we go for two weeks, we'd need to boogy some if
we want to see Baltimore/Annapolis on the same trip. Hence the urgency.

But I will check out the spots you note and listen to other suggestions
and see if I can figure out something that works.

Thanks again.

harlan

In article ,
Rosalie B. wrote:

Harlan Lachman wrote:


BTW, do either of you know how long a ride it is from Point Lookout and
whether there are speed limitations? 70 - 100 miles is not long at 25-35
mph. At 10 mph it gets old fast.

If you put in at the Little Wicomico (Smith Point) and went all the
way to Georgetown (past Gangplank Marina) it would be around 108
nautical miles. That would be about 125 statute miles so would take
about 4 hours at 30 mph.

If you put in somewhere in Northern VA, or southern MD, it will be
correspondingly less. I don't know about speed limitations - there
aren't many out in the river on the lower Potomac.

But why do it all in one day? Why not stop at Colonial Beach or
someplace like that on the way up, and somewhere like Smallwood State
Park on the way back?

I'd get the ADC map of the Chesapeake. It has most of the marinas and
their locations facilities and phone numbers in addition to the charts
for everywhere on the bay.


In article ,
JohnH wrote:

On Sun, 17 Oct 2004 12:07:37 -0400, Harlan Lachman
wrote:

In article ,
Rosalie B. wrote:

And of course in a small power
boat, one could get all the way up the Potomac to D.C.

How small. Ours is just under 25 feet.

harlan

A 25'er should have no trouble getting up to Georgetown, and even a
little further. The bridges won't be a problem. North of Georgetown
the water gets pretty shallow in places and not all the rocks are
marked on the charts.

The ride from Point Lookout up the Potomac to DC is a pretty long one,
but the views in and around DC are well worth it. The Potomac is a
beautiful river.

John H

On the 'PocoLoco' out of Deale, MD,
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!

There are 10 kinds of people in the world,
those who can do binary and those who can't!

grandma Rosalie

--
To respond, obviously drop the "nospan"?

More great information. Thanks again Rosalie.

harlan

In article ,
Rosalie B. wrote:

Harlan Lachman wrote:

John or Rosalie:

Is there a Marina that takes transients that you can recommend in the DC
area. We would need 30 amp service, easy access for my friend to pick us
up and take us touring and facilities (showers, head, etc.).

The main marina in DC is: Gangplank Marina That's the one I hear
about most often. Since I have a sailboat, I've never been of course.

309-slip marina is conveniently located in the protected Washington
Channel with laundry, showers, cable TV, pump-out, in-water
service/repair and parking

Other Amenities:
Fresh Water, Ice, Motor Oil Recycling, Restrooms,
Phone: (202) 554-5000

http://www.coastal-properties.com

Rate Information: (Transient Rates = $1.25/ft/day plus $5/day for
electricity)

Other marinas in the area (but I don't know whether they take
transients) a

*Anacostia Marina Washington, DC
Amenities:Fresh Water Maintenance Facilities Restrooms Shower
Facilities

The NPS has threatened to close the Anacostia Marina, but it is the
place where the police boats are maintained, so I don't know their
status at the moment

*Columbia Marina
George Washington Memorial Pkwy, Arlington, VA 22202
(Located in Washington, DC)
PH: 202-347-0173
Boat US Discounts - Trans. Slips: 50%, Pump Out: Free, Launch Ramp:
20%
F E O

*Buzzard Point Marina Washington, DC
Amenities Fresh Water Ice Public Phone Pumpout/Dump Facilities
Restrooms Shower Facilities

*James Creek Marina, Washington, DC
Amenities: Gasoline Golf Groceries Shower Facilities

*Washington Marina, Washington, DC
http://www.washingtonmarina.com
Amenities Fresh Water Public Phone Maintenance Facilities Restrooms
Shower Facilities
RATES:
Slips 40' and below: $9.00 /Ft. /Month
Slips above 40': $12.00 /Ft. /Month
Charges for amenities (water, electric, pumpout) are $10-60$/month
depending on slip size and usage
Limited Onsite Parking Available

* Annual Contracts Available
* No liveaboards, no wooden boats
* License agreement and insurance coverage required

Contact Bob Stickell at (202) 554-0222 for more details.

*Belle Haven Marina
#1 Belle Haven Rd. (P.O. Box 7073), Alexandria, VA 22307
PH: 703-768-0018

BoatUS Discounts - Trans. Slips: 25%, Rentals: 10%, Sailing School:
10%, Launch Ramp: 10%

E

*Washington Sailing Marina
#1 Marina Dr., Alexandria, VA 22314
PH: 703-548-9027

BoatUS Discounts - Trans. Slips: 25%, Ship's Sto 10%/(Gifts &
Souvenirs), Bike Rentals: 10%

E B O

*Hampton's Landing Marina
16202 Neabsco Rd., Woodbridge, VA 22191
PH: 703-221-4915

Discounts - Fuel: .10/gal, Trans. Slips: 25%

E B O L

BTW, do either of you know how long a ride it is from Point Lookout and
whether there are speed limitations? 70 - 100 miles is not long at 25-35
mph. At 10 mph it gets old fast.

You don't have to start at Point Lookout you know. Get a chart and
figure out how far down the river you want to be, and find the nearest
put-in point. You could start down at Smith Piont (on the Virginia
side.

grandma Rosalie

--
To respond, obviously drop the "nospan"?

(JAXAshby) wrote:

Rosie, I drove all over that stupid town -- hungry as hell, with a lovely
friend with me -- and I never found any place to eat but the gas station and
the restaurant that closed at 8:00

There isn't much to Reedville I admit. It shouldn't have taken any
time at all to drive though it-there's only one street basically.. If
it was not a Monday and was during the season, the Crazy Crab is all
the way down at the dead end past the bank, and past Elijahs which is
the other restaurant. It's at the marina.

I would think the folks at the motel should have been able to tell you
where there was a restaurant.


We were there in August and we went past it last week and it is
definitely operating. There used to be about 14 plants there, but
there is only one left, so some of what you see WILL be abandoned.
There are 14 boats operating out of the Omega Protein plant across
from Reedville in Tibitha near Fleeton which is across the creek from
Reedville (less than a mile by car)

you can drive to someplace to have
breakfast

when I drove there, the only place to get something to eat was at the gas
station, or the tablecloth restaurant that closed at 8:00 at night. We were
able to buy candy bars from a box in the lobby of the motel we stayed in.

There are two regular restaurants in Reedville. The Crazy Crab
restaurant is open mid -May to mid-December, Tuesday to Sunday 11:30
am to 9:00 pm, closed Monday.

And Tommy's (used to be Elijahs) They serve dinner from 5:30 Wednesday
through Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday.

So admittedly, there's no place to eat on Monday.

There's also the Cockrell's Creek Seafood Deli which is open Monday
through Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Sundays 11:00 to 3:00 (eat in or
take out) and Chitterchats Gossip Parlor which has ice cream.

There are two bed and breakfasts in town that serve breakfast to their
guests.

But what I meant was that you could drive to another town in a CAR.

For instance Fairport (on the west side of the creek) has a marina
with an onsite restaurant. It's about two miles by car and shorter by
boat. You could even do it on a bicycle. The restaurant features
soft crab - crabcakes, hamburgers and chicken sandwiches. Hours of
Operation: Wednesday to Friday 9 Am-10 Pm and Saturday to Tuesday 9
Am-5 Pm

And there is ROSIE LEE'S: Casual family dining. Fresh seafoods, meats,
homemade soups, daily specials, salad bar, prime rib. Open 7 days B,
L, D). Route 360, Burgess which is only about 5 miles from Reedville

like DeSmet (which I've never heard of).

Laura Ingalls Wilder once lived there. The town has two trees, one of which
they built a park around.

The only reference to De Smet that I can find in relation to Laura
Ingalls Wilder is in South Dakota. I can find no De Smet in Virginia.
I can believe that De Smet SD might have only 2 trees, but I think it
is a pretty far piece to go for breakfast from Reedville.


grandma Rosalie








grandma Rosalie

Harlan Lachman wrote:

Rosalie, great information. The type of detail that allows one to begin
to figure things out.

I usually only have about a week. Driving from Vermont is likely to eat
2 to 4 days. So even if we go for two weeks, we'd need to boogy some if
we want to see Baltimore/Annapolis on the same trip. Hence the urgency.

But I will check out the spots you note and listen to other suggestions
and see if I can figure out something that works.

I could usually make it from RI where I used to live to Baltimore
where my parents lived in one day driving a car. So I think 2 days
would be plenty.

I'd make the Potomac and the upper/mid bay (Baltimore/Annapolis) into
two different trips, and I would want to have alternate plans
depending on the weather. The Potomac and the Bay can be really nasty
in bad weather.

You do not want to be driving up the Potomac against a strong NW wind.
(note - there is current in the Potomac too), nor do you want to be
going north in the bay against a north wind or south in the bay
against a south wind. You get short square waves when the wind
opposes the tide and there is a long fetch.

So you might want to drive down (you could stay at Schiebles motel for
the night) and put the boat in near there, and then go up via Mt.
Vernon to DC, stay in DC another day to sightsee and then come back
and stay in Colonial Beach and then back to the Pt. Lookout area and
drive home. That would be doable in a week with two weekends on each
end.

You could also put the boat in on the upper somewhere like Rock Hall,
and go over to Baltimore, down to Annapolis and then back to Rock
Hall. Getting to Rock Hall by car ought to be quicker than to
southern MD..

grandma Rosalie

The main marina in DC is: Gangplank Marina That's the one I hear
about most often. Since I have a sailboat, I've never been of course.

You would have no restriction. The Gangplank, Capital Yacht Club, and I
believe one small marina are all in the Washington Channel which is
entered just north of Nat'l Airport, before the 14th St bridge.

(263801) wrote:

The main marina in DC is: Gangplank Marina That's the one I hear
about most often. Since I have a sailboat, I've never been of course.

You would have no restriction. The Gangplank, Capital Yacht Club, and I
believe one small marina are all in the Washington Channel which is
entered just north of Nat'l Airport, before the 14th St bridge.

I'd have to go through the Woodrow Wilson Bridge first. Our mast is
58.5 feet. I'm not about to be mucking around in the Potomac at 3 am
just to go to a marina (and then have to come back down later) when I
can just drive to DC in about an hour.


grandma Rosalie

Again Rosalie, thanks for all the information.

If you ever bring your sailboat up north and consider the fresh water
beauty of Lake Champlain, send me an email.

It would be a long haul by sailboat, but sailing on the lake is the best
sailing I have ever done (and that includes the Greek Isles, Virgin
Islands, Long Island, Block Island and even Maine (mostly cause you can
just jump into the warm fresh water to swim almost anywhere and there is
no fog). Nestled between the Green and Adirondack Mountains with
gunkholes and history galore, it is a worthwhile visit -- like the many
places you have alluded to in your emails.

harlan

In article ,
Rosalie B. wrote:

(263801) wrote:

The main marina in DC is: Gangplank Marina That's the one I hear
about most often. Since I have a sailboat, I've never been of course.

You would have no restriction. The Gangplank, Capital Yacht Club, and I
believe one small marina are all in the Washington Channel which is
entered just north of Nat'l Airport, before the 14th St bridge.

I'd have to go through the Woodrow Wilson Bridge first. Our mast is
58.5 feet. I'm not about to be mucking around in the Potomac at 3 am
just to go to a marina (and then have to come back down later) when I
can just drive to DC in about an hour.


grandma Rosalie

--
To respond, obviously drop the "nospan"?

In article ,
Harlan Lachman wrote:

Each summer, my son and I take a week or so to cruise on our cuddy-sport
boat (a 25' Regal). For the past few years we trailered it from Vermont
down to CT to see the Ocean, Whales and the Northeast coast. Before that
we went down the Hudson so visit my older son in the big apple.

I have been wondering what a trip on the Chesapeake would be like. Does
anyone know of a really good, up to date cruising guide with suggested
itineraries?

We have AC and shore power (I have sleep apnea and asthma). Does one
have to reserve dock space well in advance as they do, especially on
weekends, in well visited ports on the NE coast?

Are there any can't miss ports of call?

is there a safe place to leave a truck and trailer for the week and
access to launch from?

TIA

Looking at the other posts, I'm surprised no one mentioned
Shellenberger's "Gunkholer's Guide to the Chesapeake". It'll get you
into those pesky little places like Queenstown (and tighter if you're
adventurous). It is "local knowledge" in print. We wore a copy out in 10
years, so had to get a new copy last year.

Queenstown is gorgeous! If you tuck back past the power lines, you can
imagine yourselves in the Bay of previous centuries. Fox and otters on
the shore, osprey and eagles in the trees and air.

The spots WE like, though, will mostly be daystops for you, since you
need the plug-ins. They ARE beautiful, and are the REAL Bay. The Bay
magazine's guide may serve you best for overnights, since it's geared
toward marina-hopping, but don't limit yourselves to just the places
that advertize there.

You almost HAVE to run around Wye Island if you're in the St. Michaels
area. For pure scenery, it's top of the list. Do it slowly, tuck into
the coves and creeks, and savor the experience.

Don't make firm plans, and have an alternate stop if the day
deteriorates. Some years, you get great weather and can go anywhere.
Other years, there are days in a row when you don't want to budge for
love or money. The Bay WILL beat you up if you push, and the first few
afternoon squalls will blow your mind.

Running up to DC would be a fine adventure, but it's about all you'd be
able to do in a week, and there were some restrictions last season. Do
it by land since you're driving anyway. Friends had the same boat, and
their range was about the same as ours: 30 miles started getting tiring,
more pushed the familial relationship unless conditions are ideal.

A week is hardly enough time to get an overview, so I would think you'd
want to do the "famous" stuff first time out: Baltimore, Annapolis, St.
Michaels and Rock Hall. The first two can consume two days each,
distances are about 20-30 nm between, which is reasonable for your size
boat. They're all sorta fake in their own ways, but most people seem to
like them. If you want to go some place "different", just about any
marina will have sufficient power for you.

Weekends: Get in early Friday afternoon and spend two nights. City Dock
at Annapolis or Baltimore (inner harbor or Fells Point) are good for
that. Great people watching and sights to see.

We have cruised the Bay in various boats for a couple of decades and had
nearly 3 weeks for this year's vacation. Except for a few lay days for
weather, we spent each night in a different wonderful anchorage, yet
never got more than an easy daytrip away from Xan's home. (with our 6
knot top speed.)

Those friends of mine launch at White Sands (I think -- charts are on
boat) adjacent to the Bay Bridge. They seem to have no problem leaving
their car and trailer there for a weekend or week as they explore.
That's central to the mid-Bay hot spots and may be ideal for you.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

Jere Lull wrote:

In article ,
Harlan Lachman wrote:

Each summer, my son and I take a week or so to cruise on our cuddy-sport
boat (a 25' Regal). For the past few years we trailered it from Vermont
down to CT to see the Ocean, Whales and the Northeast coast. Before that
we went down the Hudson so visit my older son in the big apple.

I have been wondering what a trip on the Chesapeake would be like. Does
anyone know of a really good, up to date cruising guide with suggested
itineraries?

We have AC and shore power (I have sleep apnea and asthma). Does one
have to reserve dock space well in advance as they do, especially on
weekends, in well visited ports on the NE coast?

Are there any can't miss ports of call?

is there a safe place to leave a truck and trailer for the week and
access to launch from?

TIA

Looking at the other posts, I'm surprised no one mentioned
Shellenberger's "Gunkholer's Guide to the Chesapeake". It'll get you
into those pesky little places like Queenstown (and tighter if you're
adventurous). It is "local knowledge" in print. We wore a copy out in 10
years, so had to get a new copy last year.

I didn't suggest it because it is mostly about anchorages, and I
thought he might not want to spend the money on the book. I found it
difficult to use at first, and harder when I didn't know the area.

I think the ADC map and the Chesapeake Bay magazine cruising guide
would be best for his purpose of one or two weeks cruising. I thought
the Gunkholer's guide would be overkill. I also didn't suggest the
guide to the Potomac (which is getting a bit outdated now)

Queenstown is gorgeous! If you tuck back past the power lines, you can
imagine yourselves in the Bay of previous centuries. Fox and otters on
the shore, osprey and eagles in the trees and air.

Yes, but I'm not sure that's what he is after.

The spots WE like, though, will mostly be daystops for you, since you
need the plug-ins. They ARE beautiful, and are the REAL Bay. The Bay
magazine's guide may serve you best for overnights, since it's geared
toward marina-hopping, but don't limit yourselves to just the places
that advertize there.

You almost HAVE to run around Wye Island if you're in the St. Michaels
area. For pure scenery, it's top of the list. Do it slowly, tuck into
the coves and creeks, and savor the experience.

Don't make firm plans, and have an alternate stop if the day
deteriorates. Some years, you get great weather and can go anywhere.
Other years, there are days in a row when you don't want to budge for
love or money. The Bay WILL beat you up if you push, and the first few
afternoon squalls will blow your mind.

Running up to DC would be a fine adventure, but it's about all you'd be
able to do in a week, and there were some restrictions last season. Do
it by land since you're driving anyway. Friends had the same boat, and
their range was about the same as ours: 30 miles started getting tiring,
more pushed the familial relationship unless conditions are ideal.

A week is hardly enough time to get an overview, so I would think you'd
want to do the "famous" stuff first time out: Baltimore, Annapolis, St.
Michaels and Rock Hall. The first two can consume two days each,
distances are about 20-30 nm between, which is reasonable for your size
boat. They're all sorta fake in their own ways, but most people seem to
like them. If you want to go some place "different", just about any
marina will have sufficient power for you.

Weekends: Get in early Friday afternoon and spend two nights. City Dock
at Annapolis or Baltimore (inner harbor or Fells Point) are good for
that. Great people watching and sights to see.

We have cruised the Bay in various boats for a couple of decades and had
nearly 3 weeks for this year's vacation. Except for a few lay days for
weather, we spent each night in a different wonderful anchorage, yet
never got more than an easy daytrip away from Xan's home. (with our 6
knot top speed.)

Those friends of mine launch at White Sands (I think -- charts are on
boat) adjacent to the Bay Bridge. They seem to have no problem leaving
their car and trailer there for a weekend or week as they explore.
That's central to the mid-Bay hot spots and may be ideal for you.

Do you mean Sandy Point? White Sands is Vera's place on the Patuxent.

This website addresses trailerable boating on the bay
http://www.boatus.com/trailerclub/de...chesapeake.asp

A few Chesapeake Bay Ramps on the western sho

Sandy Point State Park near the Bay Bridge (410-974-2149) and Truxton Park on Spa Creek in Annapolis (410-263-7958).

Fairwinds Marina on the Magothy River (410-974-0758) and Ferry Point Marina at the mouth of Mill and Dividing creeks (410-544-6368). Farther south at the South River, you can launch from Oak Grove Marina (410-266-6696), Pier Seven Marina (410-956-2288) and Turkey Point Marina (410-798-1369).

In Shady Side, try Backyard Boats in (410-867-4800) or in Deale, Deale Marina (301-261-9200).

In Chesapeake Beach you can launch into the Bay at Fishing Creek Landings (301-855-3572) or just down the road at Breezy Point Marina (301-855-9894).

Bill's Boat Rental at Broomes Island (410-586-3599) or at the DNR ramp at Hallowing Point 410-260-8186).

Solomons Island Boat Ramp (at the base of the Gov. Thomas Johnson Bridge) 410-326-8383.

I was going to suggest the ramp at Solomons but I don't know what the
parking regulations are.

grandma Rosalie