July 1 — On the Potomac

We haven’t reached the famous spot where George Washington tossed a silver dollar across the river. Maybe there is a narrower spot….and maybe a silver dollar could reach the other side if the span was frozen solid…..and maybe it’s another myth like the cherry tree. Take your pick.

The route showed 32 miles “as the crow flies” (I haven’t seen any crows here), but it was actually more than 50 miles taking into account the bends in the river.

No crows have shown up, but ospreys are abundant in the Chesapeake and environs. I’ve been trying to get a good shot of their twiggy nests often built inside the two sides of day marks. It’s baby bird season, so the parents are often “home” and seem to be posing for pictures. Finally, with the help of Cliff’s zoom lens, I got a good photo!

Ospreys are kind of raggedy looking birds and fierce hunters. They mate for life and both parents tend the young. I caught this picture of an osprey leaving its nest. Osprey pairs return to the same twig nests every year and add to its size. This one is a medium sized nest. Some of them are really huge.
Mom and pop at home with their chick. You have to look very carefully to spot the chick. It is sitting just below the osprey on the right.

 

As we headed up the Potomac, the amount of flotsam in the water increased substantially. It reminded me to tell you that while the navigation duties on this trip have decreased, the look-out requirements have re-doubled.

This shot gives you an idea of the size and density of the flotsam patches.
Log in our wake. It was impossible to avoid all of the debris in the water. Cliff heard a few clunks on the hull when he went below and left me at the wheel. I, of course, am too nice to tell him that I hear clunks when he drives too:-)

 

We passed the Aquia River today…which turns into the Aquia Creek which is where Jessica, Amy and Clay had many adventures when they lived in Aquia Harbor. I still have a candle holder Jessica made from clay she found along Aquia Creek.

Quantico is also along the Potomac. An impressive group of buildings and a huge chunk of geography.

What do you think “they” do/hide/plan in this building?? I say “they” because Quantico hosts Marine, FBI and CIA training facilities. Cliff has run the obstacle course….and fallen off the log across a river each time.

 

And, as you might imagine, there are some beautiful homes along the Potomac. Definitely  not as densely situated as in Florida, the Carolinas or even southern Virginia. And a little more restrained.

Duck blinds dot the shore from place to place as well. If I’m not mistaken, duck blinds mean that people are shooting guns from the blinds. I hope that boaters are given some sort of warning to avoid these places during duck season!!

And take a look at this turkey! Perhaps they need the duck blinds!

This antenna sure looked like a giant turkey from afar!

 

It is hot. We are happy NOT to have to wash the boat. We are relaxing, watching the Cubs. Think we’ll have dinner aboard. Just too hot to walk to the nearest restaurant which is about a mile away.

Tomorrow we’ll be in DC!

4 thoughts on “July 1 — On the Potomac”

  1. You made it to the Chesapeake! You must have such a sense of accomplishment. Congratulations to you both on your trip & hugs to Cliff on his half-birthday.

    1. Agree! We are about 1000 miles away from Coral Gables “as the crow flies” and probably have cruised about 1200 miles. Can’t believe we’ve been gone for almost 2 months. Leave for California on Wednesday for a 10 day “vacation” from our vacation:-) Did you get your package yet??

  2. We have been catching up on your adventure today. And, yes, what a grand feeling of mastery you two must feel! Most of us can’t begin to imagine accomplishing such a goal — you honed your skills and did it! Congratulations and enjoy your family in CA ~
    M&J

    1. It does feel good to actually be here….now we have all the logistics of getting the boat settled for when we head back to CG. National Harbor Marina is a hoot — like mooring in the middle of restaurant row with a Ferris wheel as the backdrop! Tomorrow we get ready for CA trip, but hopefully will have some time to do a little exploring. XXOO to you and Jack.

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