Admiral’s Log

Saturday, August 22

A quick recap on our evening in Reedville, VA is in order.  As we paddled off the Chesapeake Bay into Cockrell Creek where Reedville was found, we felt like we had floated into the waterways of a past time.  Rusty boats laid on their sides and many low in the water as they became stuck in the mud.  Billowing off to one side of the shore was large smoke stack with large crawlers parked and awaiting high tide so they could get back out and to work.  What was this place? (PHOTO # 488 and 490)

 
Photo 488: Old Boat at Reedville Harbor

Photo 490: Corner Factory

Welcome to the home of the pogies.  These small bony fish, also known as menhaden, put Reedville on the map.  Pogies travel Atlantic and Chesapeake water in large schools near the surface. Despite being inedible by humans, they provide essential fish oil and meal for industrial and agricultural uses, as well as bait.  Reedville was to become the center of the menhaden industry as well as home to the expanding Atlantic menhaden fleet.

Reedville rode the success of the pogy, and by the early 20^th century the town had one of the highest per capita incomes in the country!  Today, it is not quite as ‘flush’ in per capita.

The Fairport Marina was ‘dated’ and fit well with the rest of the surroundings.  There was only one phone line, which meant that as we were coming into the area and attempting to get directions, we would encounter a busy signal because the restaurant was at the same time trying to process a credit card for a meal purchase! We also learned that there were ‘categories of rotten’.  The electricity was questionable and after a couple of instances sparks flying around the fuse box, the owner, Mary, commented that she guessed maybe she needed to get an electrician to come out and take a look at things.  We took a water view seat at the diner (dive) expecting that we might get a light show for the evening!

The morning whistle from menhaden processing factory that was across the creek from the Fairport Marina would be our morning alarm clock on this day. By 6:15am, we have exited Cockrell Creek and are back into the Chesapeake Bay.  Up ahead a short distance is the mouth of the Potomac River.  Homeward bound toward home port!  (PHOTO #492)

Photo 492: Leaving Fairport (Reedville)

Another unexpected, but this time pleasant surprise just 1-1/2 hour into the trip.  RAINBOW!  This is a good sign that everything is right and we are paddlin’ towards the pot of gold – Occoquan River and the Occoquan Harbour Marina. (PHOTO # 502)

 
Photo 502: Rainbow Over Boat

As days would go, it was one that took us through open waters with the shores far off in the distance and our course charted less by markers and more by the compass and GPS.  Projected arrival based upon the GPS calculations was 5pm.  (PHOTO #508)

 
Photo 508: From Pencil to Here

The day was overcast and in the distance we could growing thunderheads and hoped that we might avoid them.  This is not a boat to be caught in a storm and especially caught in open water.  Ahhh…but what would THIS journey be without some sort of excitement  on our final leg.  At 3:30pm, as we were nearing the Quantico Marine Base, the storm that we had watched growing hit us with a force.  Gale winds, torrential rain and LARGE swells descended.

It was time to change deck hands and locations.  Captain Rob took the wheel from the lower bridge. Michael carefully went back up topside to tie down loose items and then did the same thing on the lower deck.  Occasionally a window wiper was needed and Michael provided that service.  It was difficult to see much further than the bow of the boat and ahead of us laid crab traps, power lines, buoys, and areas marked as danger due to submerged objects.  It was a scary time…yet the unflappable Rob continued to head towards port. (PHOTO #510)

 
Photo 510: Driver Can't See

The weather subsided enough that the gale winds and swells lessened, but the rain continued to fall with force.  Through the mist and rain, ahead of us laid the final bridge of this trip – the Route 1 bridge.  Home port lay between Route 1 and Interstate 95.  Michael took back over the boat from the flying bridge and with the rain falling upon her was driving his baby into her resting spot.  (PHOTO #513)

Photo 513: Occoquan Bridge from the Front Porch

So here is home – Occoquan Harbour Marina. Hmmmm…somehow, Michael and I remembered the slip for ‘Now We’re Ready,’ as being much wider than what we were looking at now.  Current and wind not in our favor…so even driving her in would present a final challenge.  Challenges were something that we came to expect and when it gets too challenging, turn the wheel over to Captain Rob! (PHOTO #516)

 
Photo 516: Boat's New Slip

We arrived at 5:20pm…not too far off projection especially with the weather we had to deal with.  On shore to welcome us was good friend, Patty Currier.  She was a most welcome sight. 

Our day’s journey would end with a celebratory dinner at the Water’s Edge restaurant located on the same premises as the Marina.  Our wheels home would be in a Toyota Rav 4.  It was sweet!  (PHOTO # 519 and 520)

Photo 519: Dinner After Job Done

Photo 520: Transport Home

Michael and I are indebted to Rob, for whom this trip might never have happened.  He was our teacher, coach, captain, and most importantly, became a friend.  To his wife, Tina, thank you for your understanding on the delays and the extended absence of your husband.  We are appreciative to both of you for making this once in a lifetime adventure a reality for Michael and me. (PHOTO #517)

 
Photo 517: Rob Ready to Leave

SOOOO…where does this story go from here.  Well, for those of you that have followed us this far, we offer to you a few of the boat names that we were to see in our little adventure.  Pick a boat, explain how it got its name and then create your own adventure! 

·         Four Buoys

·         Overbudget

·         Money Pit

·         Antagonist

·         Mystic Force

·         Solar Addiction

·         Knotilaus

·         Reel Jerk

·         Sloup de Jour

·         Summer Time Blues

·         Home Office

·         Martiinee Time

·         Reecess

·         Giv-it-Up

·         Five Grade

·         Strip Teaser

Today's Emails

From: Canright, Shelley
Sent: Saturday, August 22, 2009 12:21 PM
Subject: Homeward Bound: Final Leg of Journey

We have been underway for almost 6 hours and it does the soul good to know that in couple more hours and a few more bends in the river, we shall be home.

We had an unexpected surprise close to 8am...but this one was a positive one. A rainbow in front of us! We reasoned that the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow was the Occoquan River and the Occoquan Harbour Marina. HOME!

From: Canright, Shelley
Sent: Saturday, August 22, 2009 8:41 PM
Subject: Admiral has arrived home -- Backlogs forthcoming (Attached is August 20)

We have arrived home, safely.  I have a couple of logs to submit and shall do that once I have gotten my sea legs steady on the ground on Washington, DC.  I offer the following log that provides update and events from Thursday, August 21.

The Admiral is looking forward to being back in the seat – OFFICE SEAT – on Monday.  Many thanks to all that have carried well wishes to bring us to home port.

Appreciation to Bill – First Mate -- for all that he has done to facilitate the sharing of this story…and to Patty for being on shore to pick us up and bring us to our permanent address. And sincere thanks to Tina, Captain Rob’s wife, for being so understanding of the delays and his extended absence from home.

Home Sweet Home. How sweet it is!