I worried the boat would be hit by a shooting star and I’d be left treading water-somthing that has a 12 minute life span. I refrained from looking at Google reviews until Saturday morning, still couldn’t figure out if we were being scammed with this Stellar-Event Star Gazing Cruise. Above and beyond the cruise, I didn’t have anything planned for the weekend. 

Driving about Virginia is a pleasant experience (I’m referring to everything outside of NOVA and 95). Once off the highway, you’ll inevitably find yourself driving along a winding, tree-lined road. Actually, a lot of the main routes in Virginia feel like they amble through the countryside, horse farm here, dairy farm there. Vineyard on the right, brewery on the left. It makes for a pleasant drive.. 

We traveled to the Northern Neck of the Chesapeake Bay (I’m still grappling with this lovely state, especially the Tidewater region, of which the Chesapeake Bay is part of – confusingly so). It’s less farm, albeit there’s still a fair amount, and more maritime. We stayed in an Airbnb in Heathsville. It was a cute place with a back patio that overlooked the river – not sure which River. I asked a local, but couldn’t understand his thick Southern accent. 

Saturday evening, we grilled ribs on the barbie. Sunday, we lounged on the private beach that came with the cottage – a nice little bonus. The day crept on and, finally, it was time for the big event – stargazing on the Chesapeake Bay! We drove over the river – lots of ‘over the rivers’ in these parts – and through the cornfields to a very secluded marina. While the area could be considered country-sketch, I relaxed once I saw the ‘cruise parking’ sign and other passengers, I assumed, meandering their way to the dock. 

A funny-looking man gathered us together, asking us to pray that the afternoon fog would dissipate. Of course. We embarked, settled on the top deck of the Tangier Island Cruise boat, and began to glide our way down the inlet toward the Bay – Ingram Bay, not Chesapeake. Our guide, the crumpled little man, nervously cracked jokes as our heads tilted toward the cloudy sky. 

While not quite crystal-clear, the clouds did part enough to give us a meaningful cruise. Meaningful, because the little, quasi-hunched-over man was an astro-physicist who teaches celestial navigation on the side. And yes, the cruise was very informative… and cerebral. The cruise home was cool – literally and figuratively. The wind blew in, a refreshing break from the humidity, and then the storms. No rain, just clouds, gusting wind, and a pretty awesome lightning show. A perfect way to end the cruise. 

We took our time returning home. A highlight for Tony was the egg trust stand. Meeting Tony’s approval, he’s rather particular when it comes to farm-fresh eggs, we bought 5 dozen, wiping out the stand’s stock for the day. 

2 out of 20 down…18 to go. Friday is dinner in Williamsburg (Tony has a gig); Saturday is the Flying Proms Syphonic Airshow at the Virginia Military Aviation Museum – very exciting. 

Until next week, stay curious, my friends.