Onancock - pronounced oh NAN cock - is a Native American name meaning "foggy place". This area was originally discovered by John Smith in 1608. As one enters the Onancock Creek, the charm begins. This is a peaceful meandering river that reminds us both of Midwestern rivers, having the same laid back style and feel. The shore line is developed but not so much that the natural feel of the area is destroyed.
We round the last river bend and come to the large anchorage area immediately adjacent to the Onancock City Wharf. As we maneuvered our way around the anchorage area it was difficult to find an actual place to anchor. While the anchorage area itself appears large, due to the two channels that pass through the anchorage and the location of the other boats already anchored, it took us a while to find a spot.
Captain Mark is very conservative and thoughtful in everything that he does in life so it holds that he is conservative and exceeding polite as a boat captain as well. We have anchored out many many times since leaving Chicago. He knows exactly how much anchor chain to tell this Deck Monkey to use and he can quickly calculate the geometry of the way in which the boat will turn while at anchor. He can tell from observing our surroundings how close we will come to other boats or the shore and his judgment has proved excellent thus far. So we drop anchor and set about to acquaint ourselves with the area.
In reading the guide books we learn that the Onancock City Wharf has a $10 dinghy dock fee per day. Since it was late afternoon Saturday and would be dark before too long, we decided to forgo going into town Saturday evening but will plan to see the town on Sunday instead. This was our first mistake…
So we spent the remaining daylight hours sitting atop the Lolligag enjoying the calm and peaceful evening. We note the boats around us and the activities of our fellow anchorage mates. One of the things we both like to comment on and find extremely interesting is how and why boats are named, as well as the named port of call. We have found that a boat name’s is almost a dead giveaway to the personality of its owners. This was no exception as we observed our neighboring boat. First of all, its name is one of those sanctimonious phrases that makes one just roll one’s eyes and think golly gee, how original. As on land, the water neighborhood is ripe with parents who allow their children to run rampant unattended. I will note that the children, three, all under the age of 13, did wear life jackets while coming and going to shore all evening long in their dinghy sans parental guidance. In fact, we were not sure if adults were even onboard. However, we would soon meet the parents – so to speak.
When we are at anchorage, we try not to run the generator too much so as to not disturb our neighbors. This means that we go to sleep pretty much as soon as the sun sets and it is dark. So we are sleeping peacefully when Captain Mark immediately wakes me by saying that someone is calling us…I don’t hear a telephone ringing so I can not imagine what he is talking about…but he hastily dresses and goes aft to see who is yelling at us. Well, guess who…the long lost parents of the boat next to us. It is 11:30p, they have determined that the Lolligag is too close to their boat and that we will collide if we remain in place at this anchoring location. I just look at Mark and ask what do they want us to do…relocate in the dark? Are they nuts? Where were they when it was daylight and why in the world are they “mentioning” this to us at midnight? Seriously, what did they expect us to do…? There were so many factors going on that it was unreal. First of all, with any water or wind movement, the two boats would “swing” in harmony. Secondly, even if we both floated free with no wind or water controlling us, there would have been at least 20 feet separating our boats. Thirdly, why in the world if they were concerned that we were too close did they not bring this to our attention when it was daylight and we could relocate? My solution to the problem was totally different than Captain Mark’s. I said “Whatever” “Bite Me” and all the while mumbling rude sayings as I went back to sleep. Captain Mark, being the thoughtful, kind and considerate person that he is, stayed up all night observing and watching to make sure that our boat did not come too close to our neighbors. Of course, we did not. Since Mark was already awake, at daybreak, I got up as well. As soon as one of the other boats left the anchorage area, we moved the Lolligag as far away from our “neighbors” as possible.
Now back to mistake number one. Since we were up, we headed to the City Wharf. The $10 dinghy dock fee was NOT charged and every store and eatery except one was closed on Sunday. So we walked around the lovely but vacant town of Onancock, Virginia. This is definitely a place to visit when the shops and multiple restaurants are open for business. However, the day was certainly not lost. We had breakfast at Janice’s Country Store and Cafe. The breakfast was plentiful, the store cute and welcoming while Janice was pleasant and friendly. Without a doubt Onancock is a well kept Virginia secret. We should just pretend this weekend did not happen and visit Onancock as a do over. Hours on the water: 4.25
Nautical miles traveled: 31.4
Number of bridges to be opened: 0
Time spent waiting at bridge: 0
Next Destination: Solomons Island, Maryland
What we are listening to: 1000 White Women by Jim Fergus
Lesson for the day: We did not think it possible, but some boaters are just idiots
Obligatory knitting report: Blue/black/gray striped socks for Captain Mark
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