FRIDAY JULY 2ND

Left early as we had to cross back across Chesapeake Bay.  We had 3-4 foot waves, as forecast. It was a following sea, so they came at us from the rear. It was a gentle ride, but you went up one side of the wave and somewhat surfed down the other side. It was the kind of day that makes you take a Bonine (sea sick preventative) just in case! Guess I best clarify "me" on that.

Finally saw a few dolphin today.

The Bay is in peril because of over harvesting and pollution. Along with the two diseases killing the remaining oysters. The disease is thought to have come from a ship from Asia pumping out its bilge into the Bay.

More than 150 sewage treatment plants empty directly into the Bay. The Susquehanna River has a large number of non-compliant sewage plants along its 600-plus-mile course through New York and Pennsylvania, eventually reaching the Bay.

In the early 1900s it is estimated that the total volume of the Chesapeake's water was completely filtered in eight hours by filter feeders-principally oysters and menhaden fish. (menhaden were the same fish they were making fertilizer out of back in Crisfield) Today, the same level of filtration takes more than one year. In Maryland I believe it is now illegal to catch menhaden fish. Where it is still caught, it is used as chicken feed!!!

We arrived at York River Yacht Haven where we will stay for four nights. We are on the opposite side of the river from Yorktown. And only about 20 miles from historic Williamsburg and the Jamestown Settlement. We have so looked forward to exploring these places and one of the reasons we came to this marina is they offer a shuttle service. Bad news for us, they aren’t offering it over the 4th of July weekend. So we tried to rent a car. Nope, all booked for the weekend. Okay, now I’m bummed. So I go back up to the marina office. I learned a long time ago that you get a lot more mileage out of being pathetic than being a b*%#*. Before we knew it, we had a 5 speed, BMW Convertible Roadster at our disposal. Woo hoo! We’re going to Jamestown….with the top down!!!