Day 353 Saturday, June 10, 2023
Portsmouth, Virginia MM Zero to Deltaville, Virginia
When we returned from Harborfest we had a neighbor in the slip next to us. It wasn't until the morning that we realized it was "Remedy", who we met in Jacksonville, Florida. Our departure was a bit delayed waiting for a tow boat picking up a disabled ferry at the marina docks. When we could pull out we headed to the fuel dock. We never got to see the folks on Remedy.
Cate (from the marina office) and a dock hand helped us off and then caught us at the fuel dock, (only $3.20/gallon). Portsmouth Boating Center staff were the best! When we called to reserve a slip and arrange for a battery Cate was awesome. She assured us that she would make room for us and ordered the battery. This morning he was laughing about having to work on Saturday. She told her boss Mike that if she had to work so did he! He was actually bringing a friend's boat that morning to the marina from Cape Charles.
All fueled we headed out towards Norfolk harbor. Sunny and warm it looked like it would be a good day. We were met by Mike on his friend's boat waving to us. He yelled that the Chesapeake Bay was beautiful and that we were sure to have a great day.
We passed lots of warships at dock in the several shipyards lining the shore. We wondered if any of them were decommissioned. We passed a cargo ship, Ever Fortune, and a Red Cross boat. First ever, we were passed by a Sea Doo with a motor on back!
We left the fuel dock at 9am and reached Chesapeake Bay at 10:30. It was good travel with calm, rolling seas. Lots of cargo ships were anchored in the Bay.
Thimble Shoal Light 
Deltaville Marina is on Jackson Creek. The entrance was very shallow and winding, making Jerry a bit nervous with the current. Of course the wind always picks up when it's time to dock. The docks were a bit of surprise. They were fixed docks but very short and triangular in shape. We bowed in, otherwise we wouldn't be able to get off the boat! With help from the dock hand, Colin, we got tied up -- no hopping off the boat to catch and tie a cleat!! The marina has a restaurant, pool and lots of locals. We also had a great view of some nesting osprey.
We took advantage of the courtesy car to go to the market and West Marine. For such a small town the West Marine was huge. Leftovers from Pizza and Pour for dinner.
Day 356 Sunday, June 11, 2023
After breakfast and a lazy morning we took the trail to Deltaville Museum and Holly Point Nature Park. Joy at the reception desk was very friendly and welcoming. The museum included exhibits of boat building and the history of crab and oyster fishing in the area.
The trail starts right at the marina and is a short walk to the museum. The flag pole is gaff rigged with a yardarm.
Replica of John Smith's shallop, The Explorer
We saw the FD Crockett, a refurbished log bottom buyboat. In addition to fishing buyboats actually bought the days catch of other fishermen, saving them the time needed to bring their catch to port and then return to fish more. Active boat building goes on at the museum. Volunteers build a new boat each year which is sold to benefit the museum.
The museum sponsors a Family Boat Building Week each year. Families and groups actually build a boat in a week with the help of volunteers and step by step instruction. Materials and directions are provided, with each day a designated step in the process.
Little crab on the dock along the living shoreline in the park.
Day 357 Monday June 12, 2023
We are at Deltaville an added day due to weather. Thunderstorms, with increased winds and waves kept us snug in our slip. I took advantage and defrosted the refrigerator. It really seems to ice up quickly and then the contents aren't as cold.
Once the fridge was done we borrowed the courtesy car to check out Nauti Nell's . Nell's is a consignment and gift shop filled with all things nautical. It also consigns boat parts. Who knows what treasures you might find. We enjoyed the stop and then did a small tour of town. The marina limits the distance and time (1 hour) that you can borrow the car.
Pork loin, corn on the cob and rice for dinner. Tomorrow we move on to Solomons Island.
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