BAR-B-Q Adventures

 I tried to get Parks Canada to give the discount they offered before April. The season pass is $700 for locks and mooring for the size of my boat without the discount. They said NO so I said see you next year. It's the principle of the matter. If I bought the pass early, Canada could be closed to Americans and I would have paid for nothing. So I'll head out the end of June destination unknown. Up the Erie Canal then down the Chesapeake Bay to who knows where. What a Life!!!

Mission Accomplished  !!!!!!! BAR-B-Q crossed her  wake Saturday May 21st, 2022 after leaving Riverside Marina  May 17th, 2021. What a life!!!! So many friendly people to share tall tales and adventures  with. What a boating experience.  We traveled about 7000 miles on our loop. We did side trips, one that put through the SOO LOCK into Lake Superior. Our destination was Whitefish Point. There are docks protected by a breakwall, but no power or water. That's the reason we are self-sufficient. Another side trip was up to Chattanooga,  TN. The last major side trip was the St John's River through "Old Florida". Smaller trip Cape Lookout to Ocracoke Island via Atlantic Ocean. A total of 79 lockages and countless bridge openings were made. I gained in experience and problem solving. I offered my friendship to boaters and especially other loopers. Many times accepted,  sometimes denied and that's fine. Can't please everyone! I will be heading north in a ...

BAR-B-Q  and The Chesapeake Inn  After a short distance into the Chester River, I met (on the radio) a boat named KDLOU. They are from Guntersville AL, a town we passed on our side trip to Chattanooga.  KDLOU We traveled up the bay for several hours until they turned into the Sassafras River to anchor. I continued up the bay to the C&D Canal. Entering the Canal, I was quickly reminded of the commercial traffic that uses this waterway. A tow was pulling a barge full of shipping containers. Later that evening, while safely docked, a huge car carrier passed by. I was allowed to stay two nights at the free docks. Maybe I don't want this trip to end. Only 14 miles to go to complete The Great Loop.  I "cross our wake" when entering the Delaware River. All loopers will head south towards Cape May,  I will turn north towards Philadelphia and return to our marina at Riverside. Sunrise   Last Looping Day  

  Old Court House in Queenstown  Anchorage I traveled across the Bay, through Kent Narrows, and into the Chester River. Queenstown would be my last anchorage on the Loop. I celebrated this occasion by taking the dinghy to shore and  buying a pizza.  Anchorage 

 I learned that the Susquehanna River was one of three factors in forming the Chesapeake, with a meteor or comet and the Ice Age the other two. The Susquehanna starts in Cooperstown NY.  Yes that Cooperstown,  baseball's Hall of Fame. It flow pass my home in the 'junction' (where the Lackawanna and Susquehanna meet). At 444 miles, it's the longest river on the East Coast and provides half of the fresh water to the bay, thus this giant estuary, the clash of fresh water and salt water.  COVE POINT LIGHT   It was a busy day on the water. Leaving Solomons, their were five boats following me out of the harbor, all heading north. Most eventually passed me, "No Hurries, No Worries ", my state of mind. Not only were their fellow loopers;  assorted sailing vessels, a cruise liner and a cargo vessel were sighted. Busy day on the water. My destination was the Rod n Reel Resort. Not a marina but a resort with docks. Dockage includes resort amenities,  pool, sauna,...

 I stopped at Solomons Island. I wanted to check out the Calvert Maritime Museum and was not disappointed. I called a marina for space and they said they had none but when I went by, there was plenty of room. There are many marinas in the area but I found  quiet anchorage away from the boat traffic. A short dingy ride got me to the museum. They have three themes;  fossils, estuary life and Maritime history. They also have the Drum Point Lighthouse on display. It was a screw-pile Lighthouse that they restored and did a great job at it. They have fossils recovered from Calvert Cliffs, river otters, aquarium exhibits, marsh walk, boats, and Bay life from commercial fishing to military to recreation.  Keeper had to wind every two hours Jellies Old gas motors  Through the red The light glowed continuously fromthe fourth order Fresnel light. If the Captian saw red, he was in danger of hitting the shoal.   Clear Navy deep diving suit

   Leaving all the hustle and bustle of the Norfolk area, I needed some peaceful surroundings.  The boat pictured above is Jackalope. We first met mid November on the Tenn-Tom. We again saw them in Beaufort, SC and now in this anchorage near New Point Lighthouse VA. The sailboat travels slow but steady. Dense fog greeted us in the morning so another 1100am departure. My next stop was Hughlett Point in the Dividing Creek. This anchorage I had to myself. There was a nice beach a short dingy ride away.