Saturday, August 18, 2007

Update

This will be a long post as we have been really really busy! My computer still has not been fixed until now and a lot has been going on....

CHESAPEAKE BAY AND COASTAL VIRGINIA

We left Royal Oak on Monday and stayed that night on the Upper Potomac near Hagerstown, Md at a nice KOA. Longer drive than expected but comfortable in the new coach. The campground is located right near a old mill that was quite picturesque.It was nice and relaxed and somewhat suprised that this close to Washington DC and Baltimore that someone hadn't developed the area. Tuesday we moved on down to Norfolk and Virginia beach area before crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel system to Virginia's Eastern Shore.

Marge on a stump

We both were blown away at the beauty of the bay and shoreline and were surprised to see that some of it looked not unlike Eastern Lake Michigan and its shoreline with dunes and sand beaches everywhere.

Entrance to one of the two tunnels that allow ships to cross unhindered by bridge height.

Typical bridge span with boats all along fishing

The tip of the eastern shore of Virginia


KIPTOPEKE STATE PARK

This state park located at the southern tip of the Virginian eastern shore and its a great place. Rates are reasonable, campsites are full hookup (unusual for a state park) there is a nice beach and boat launch as well as fishing pier to catch fish or crab. I have attached some of the pictures below.
Old Ferro Cement Liberty ships from WW II being used as a breakwaterPart of the Beach
The fishing area of the Pier - even a disposal for the fish carcasses from fish cleaning station.

The campground is located behind some dunes and as I said has full hookups. Its pretty much open but there is actually room between sites and the Virginian hospitality was wonderful. We stayed for 5 days and met our friends from florida and we slipped right into the eating routine immediately. Tried a variety of new things including fresh clams and blue crab. Our friend Matt supplied fresh Oysters from his "Oyster farm" and Jim who lives nearby brought his traps in and supplied the crabs and picked up the fresh clams. Needless to say the rest of the group provided more traditional things but what a meal!The "group" doing what they do best .....a cup in hand and talking!

DAY TRIP TO CAPE CHARLES

While in the area one of the more picturesque communities is cape charles where the railroad ferry crosses the Chesapeake Bay. Neat spot!

Even a private business car from the 30's
Downtown Cape Charles

Pier off the downtown of Cape Charles
A real Chesapeake Bay boat

I am very taken with area and the degree that it is still such a rural area. It's a wonderful area although the signs of development are starting to pop up. Try to visit the area soon.