Crab Night in Deale, Maryland

We were able to greet another boat, As You Wish, from the Live Aboard Group come into port today.  We then took a Dinghy ride with Trang and Brian across the river to Skipper's Pier for Crab Night.
The food was great, dessert divine, and company fantastic!

As You Wish, with Denise and Paul Magnus aboard

Today's transportation, a lovely Boston Whaler, courtesy of Trang and Brian!

Dink'n around

Skippers Pier

Steamed crabs

I was fortunate enough to meet these great people, The Wagner's and The Tuckers! They taught this Cajun girl:  Maryland crabs are steamed not boiled.  Also, you don't use claw crackers. You use a hammer!

Also, you dip crab meat into a 'Maryland Mud' (Apple cider vinegar and Old Bay Spice)

These four awesome people went to college together at The University of Maryland where they were on the Gymnastics's team together.  Mr. Tucker is a retired commercial pilot. His wife also took pilot lessons.

Mr. and Mrs. Wagner also attended the American Great Loop Cruisers Association Rendezvous a few years back.  They are experienced sailor's and we shared stories about Fernandina Beach tidal changes. Great time meeting them!

Restaurant owner, Dave, presents Charlie with his own official Maryland Crab Hammer as a keepsake!

Since our marina was full, As You Wish had to dock at a neighboring marina. After dinner, we dinked over to tell them 'hello'!

Plane 2 Sea at port.

Sunset

Deltaville, Virginia - Last Day

Clouds broke free and sun peeked through for about 20 minutes.  Garmin got to see his shadow! I'm predicting 3 months of summer ahead!

We've enjoyed our time here at Deltaville Yacht Center and will miss these awesome guys, Nathan and Clint here at the 1st Class Service Center!  You guys are awesome, hope to see you again soon! Thank you for making our adventure enjoyable and productive! We appreciate the warm hospitality and sorry we can't join you all for the annual Yacht Center party tomorrow.  We so appreciate the invite.  We have to scoot upward tomorrow but will be back next season!

Nathan, Charlie, and Clint

DYC's Finest!

Garmin is very brave and comfortable walking the gunnels on his own.  He's now also claimed the fly-bridge as his 'dog-cave' when we are not underway!

Plane 2 Sea at port

We were interviewed by the yacht center's owners for their Fall newsletter.

The Dismal Swamp

We left at sunrise and traveled 39.5 NM through The Dismal Swamp.  We literally had the swamp all to ourselves today with no other boats locking through! By far, the most beautiful day of cruising thus far!  We experienced our first locks and were treated to 22 miles of pristine beauty surrounded by 20 foot tall walls of honeysuckle.

South Mills Bridge

South Mills Lock 

We locked up 8 feet

Walls of honeysuckle over 20 feet tall

Our minimal wake

Docked at the Visitor Center

Bald Eagle

Canadian Geese

Deep Creek Bridge

Deep Creek Lock. We locked down 12 feet.

We are docked for the night at Top Rack Marina in Chesapeake, Virginia

Click here for the History of The Dismal Swamp:
http://dismalswampwelcomecenter.com/history/

Belhaven, North Carolina

We traveled 39 NM today and are at port at Dowry Creek Marina.

A day of wide open water

Plane 2 Sea underway, thank you Dan and Angie aboard Seahorse for these priceless photos today! We also traveled with Dan and Jacque, Horizon Chaser, and Craig and Donna, Mighty Fine.

 Bottle Tree

Bottle bush

Dowry Creek Marina

Mary at Dowry Creek Marina is so hospitable! She provided us all with such warm hospitality and great fellowship.  Thank you for making us feel like family.

Sunset

Plane 2 Sea at port, Dowry Creek Marina, Belhaven, NC