TOP OF THE BAY CRUISING ASSOCIATION

North East, Maryland

Summer Vacation Cruise to Washington, D.C.

July 1 to 11, 1999

Our 1999 vacation cruise began on Thursday, July 1. Click here for a map showing our ports of call

We all departed our home ports on a rainy and foggy morning. The farther down the bay we cruised, the more the water kicked up. Two boats decided to bow out, but by late afternoon the rest of us were tied up in our slips at Calvert Marina on Solomon's Island (at the mouth of the Patuxent River). Because we were coming from marinas all over the bay, Solomon's Island made for a better rendezvous point than Herring Bay as was originally planned.

On July 2, we headed to Colonial Beach, Virginia (on the Potomac River south of the Route 301 bridge). The winds were high again as we departed Solomon's Island. You might say that the water was as rough as the Jersey shore. We bounced our way towards the Potomac. We looked forward to rounding Point Lookout and smoother waters. They were there, but 15 miles up stream. We arrived at Colonial Beach as scheduled. We strolled the docks, looked at a lot of wooden boats, and wound up at the marina restaurant for dinner. After dinner, we turned in for the night.

From Colonial Beach we cruised into the Gang Plank Marina in DC on Saturday July 3. We took our time leaving Colonial Beach, knowing that one of the boats that had bowed out earlier was leaving Solomon's that morning to rejoin us. It turned out to be near perfect timing, as they caught up to us near Quantico, Va. The rest of the journey into D.C. was worth every bounce. Seeing the majesty of Mount Vernon from one's own boat and winding up the Potomac River was to become an unforgettable experience. As planned the TOBCA fleet arrived in downtown Washington, D.C., en masse. It was hot, around 105 or something. We tied up at Gang Plank, and downed some much deserved cocktails. Our commodore and lady, along with two other couples, joined us that evening for dinner. They came down from Baltimore by land cruiser.

On July 4th in D.C., the town was jumping. We were scattered all over, doing our own things. But we were back in our boats for the fireworks that evening. We all sat on the back of our boats, and watched as they attempted to scorch the Washington Monument. What you may have seen on national TV was right in our face. We had the best seats in town!

For the next couple of days, we all wandered to the many attractions the capital had to offer. We topped it off with a trip to Mount Vernon by cruise ship.

We left D.C. on Wednesday morning and cast off for Port Tobacco Marina (up the Port Tobacco River, north of the Route 301 Bridge). This was an experience none of us will ever forget. Many years ago, we've been told, this river was a major seaport with waters in the 70 ft. range. Times have changed; it now may be 7 feet in places. The folks up there couldn't do enough for us, including giving us the entire outside pavilion. It turns out that, besides a marina, this is also a turf club. We wound up playing the ponies that evening.

On July 8, we headed out to Coles Point Plantation Marina (south shore of the Potomac, about halfway between Colonial Beach and Point Lookout). Calm waters, and more clear skies. Just as we passed under the Route 301 bridge, we were pulled over by a government patrol boat. We were informed that we were in an area where ordinance was being exploded that day. We quickly altered course and continued on our way. Shortly after arriving at Coles Point, everyone knew we had discovered another gem in the Potomac's crown. This was, according to all, a very special place. Another "must see".

On July 9, we had a short, but picturesque ride to another nice place - Point Lookout Marina (easternmost end of the north shore of the Potomac). A very sleepy place, where nothing moved too fast. We all needed to cool down, so it was off to the pool. The management gave us our own private picnic grove with view. That's where it was decided that all of us were vacationed out. It was terrific , but our bodies were telling us enough!

So on July 10, we said our good byes, shared our hugs and headed back into the bay that brought us here. Dave Harris' boat, Epicurean, had the farthest to travel. He made it back to port in 71/2 hrs.

Click here for a map showing our ports of call