[Public-List] The Commute

[Jim Davis]

The Commute is a two week trip from Dividing Creek to Washington, DC.  We will depart the raft on Memorial Day and head directly to Solomons.  Here we will anchor near the Holiday Inn.  This will give people a chance to visit the grocery store, refuel, take on water and ice.  From Solomons we will proceed to the Coan River on the Potomac.  This anchorage is mostly rural with lots of crab pots.  The next day takes us to Colonial Beach, a nice town with a fuel dock and a good restaurant in the marina.  This will also be the one time that we will tie up for the night, there just isn't any good anchorage.  From Colonial Beach we will skirt the edge of the Navy's Dahlgren Impact area.  If the range is active we will be directed by the Navy on exactly how we pass - they are very friendly and helpful.  Our next anchorage will be in Mattawoman Creek.  From here we will pass Mount Vernon and pass under the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and continue to the anchorage in Washington Channel.  In Washington we will use the Capital Yacht Club as a base of operations.  They are friendly, have a secure dinghy dock and one of the best showers on the East Coast.  This location is also near Metro and the city.  There is also a fair grocery store within walking distance.  The James Creek Marina has fuel for those needing it for the return trip.  While in the DC two anchors are required.  This is a requirement by the DC Marine Police to minimize swinging.  The depth is about 20 feet and it has a soft bottom.

Our first day of the return should have us anchored in the Port Tobacco River.  From here it is an easy run to Cobb Island and then on to Leonardtown on Breton Bay.  From Leonardtown it is intended to visit the St. Mary's River and perhaps the Dove.  From the St. Mary's we will head for Solomons and home.

Note all of this is subject to daily change depending on weather and desires of the various crews.  Once we have departed I will have my cell phone on and if anyone wants to link up, I suggest they call to be sure where we will be.  I will also monitor VHF 16 when we are moving.  This is an interesting trip and gives people the chance to visit the tourist stops that we seldom see - after all who wants to drive a car into DC?

If you want to accompany us please respond directly to my email.  I need basic boat information so I can make reservations at the one marina we will be tying up at.


Jim Davis
S/V Isa Lei

"Coffee tastes better if the latrines are dug downstream from the encampment."
US Army Field Regulations - 1861


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