The Chesapeake Bay is a very large bay on the east coast of America, with the city of Norfolk in the south and the cities of Washington DC and Baltimore in the north. The bay originates from the Susquehanna River from New York State and has 48 other rivers flowing into it, with beautiful names like Potomac River and Patuxant River. In the south, the bay is connected with the Atlantic Ocean. Those beautiful names of the rivers originate from the time that only different Indian tribes lived here. Only from the 15th century the white men came, with Captain John Smith, a Briton, who played an important role in mapping the entire Chesapeake Bay. The south side is characterized by somewhat longer distances between suitable anchorages with salt water and, in strong winds, a sea state somewhat similar to the ocean swells. The further north you get, the more it is really an inland waterway with fresh water, smaller distances and much less seaway. The entire bay is littered with fishing buoys ... sailing in the dark is not really an option, but not necessary for us. Most of the time we manage to keep to the channels, but sometimes we take a short-cut and then we have to tack between the fishing buoys. Nature is beautiful, but it is not really uninhabited anymore ... almost everywhere there are beautiful houses along the waterfront. In spite of that the anchor bays are very beautiful.

On Saturday (April 24) we say goodbye to the Pjotter and we leave for the other side of the river, to a small marina in downtown Norfolk. We visit the museum Nautica with the battleship "Wisconsin". After that we all get a new outfit in the shopping mall of Norfolk. We also buy some nice orange shirts for the worldchampionships which we will attend with our friends on the Azores. Sunday we rent a car and drive to Washington DC to pick up mom. On the way we stop in the colonial village of Williamsburg, where I have been 30 years ago with Inge, mom and dad. Very nice to walk around and have lunch. We arrive at the airport on time and just over an hour after landing mom walks in reasonably fit. Very special to see eachother again after such a long time. In the car ride home (another four hours or so) we talk endlessly.

The following dIn the afternoon we take it easy. Some laundry, shopping, school and cleaning the boat. Tuesday 27 April in the afternoon we pick up Helen (mum's sister) from the airport in Norfolk. Very nice to have her on board as a guest. The weather is still not cooperating, we have put up the cockpit tent against the wind and the rain; nevertheless the mood is excellent with pleasant conversations. Despite the inclement weather we decide to leave the next day for the first part through the Chesapeake Bay. About 25 miles, some sailing, but most of it by engine against the cold wind and current. The ladies don't budge! It is mom's 74th birthday, so we bake an apple pie on the way. Once in the marina in Chrisman Creek, a side creek of the Poquoson River, we celebrate the birthday with tea, cake and presents. Anchoring didn't work, not even after three attempts, so we called the private marina for a spot. Very nice people ... the manager of the marina offers to take us to Yorktown for a birthday meal in a nice restaurant. On a nice spot with a view on the York River. Fortunately, the next day it is warmer and there is less wind. And we can sit outside without wearing thick jackets. Again a long trip of 30 miles, but the weather is much more agreeable, so we can do it. Just before drinking time we arrive at Charles Creek, a side-creek of the Piankatank River, with a very narrow and shallow passage. We manage to get through and it's a beautiful anchorage. With a glass of wine and a warm sun, we have a nice drink with good and pleasant conversations. Mom and Helen are very easy guests ... they adapt well and enjoy themselves. Extraordinary for two ladies of 75 and 74 on a relatively small and moving boat!

The 3rd day north into the Chesapeake Bay is beautiful sunny weather. We stop after 25 miles in Reedville, in the Cockrell Creek, a side creek of the Great Wicomico River. Reedville is a small village with a fish factory (which stinks just like Boulogne) and an ice cream shop with delicious home-made ice cream as the only shop. The ice cream tastes delicious, but we don't like the stench, so we drop the boat in an anchor bay further on at Salt Pont. This is a great spot where we have a delicious BBQ in the evening with a beautiful clear sky above us. The fourth day is also a long sailing day (40 miles) to Solomon Island, in the Patuxent River. Again, the weather is very sunny and there is not much wind, so this time as well there is no problem. Because it is a Saturday, we see a lot of boats on our way; the days before that we hardly saw anyone. Solomon Island is a real sailor's and motorboat paradise, with many marinas in a beautiful natural setting. In the meantime, it has become 30 degrees (yes, finally some Caribbean temperatures again) and we treat ourselves to a nice marina with a large swimming pool. It is so hot and humid that a little later all six of us (yes, the ladies too!!) are lying in the pool (with cold water because it has only just been used).

Gives a bit of a sauna effect, but is very tasty. The next day (today) we stay at anchor. We do some shopping, Toine cleans and waxes the white part of the boat and we visit the local marine museum. At the end of the day we also dive into the swimming pool. Another great day with a delicious meal on the boat with fried Rockfish (which we got from the neighbouring boat yesterday, we caught it ourselves). And so the week has flown by with many pleasant moments in a beautiful environment.