DITR Tappahannock River Boat Cruise
7 August 2010

The Women of DITR had decided to do something different from the normal ride event. we are headed to Tappahannock for a river boat Cruise. This was an early morning for sure; we had to be at Tappahannock by 09:30. The boat was scheduled to leave at 10:00. we all met at Bob Evans parking lot at 7:15 and kick stands up at 07:30. After getting things together, we pulled out of the parking lot at 07:35. at first, I thought this would have been more than enough time for us to get there before 09:30. It was majority rule to go by way of 95 South, and once we pulled onto I-95 South, we went about 3 miles and the traffic came to a stop. I-95 South was a parking lot, at which time I started to get a little nervous about getting there in time. We crawled for about 2 miles and got off onto route 1 going south. The traffic on route 1 was heavy, but still moving. We pulled in to Fredericksburg and stopped for a quick gas up. Then back on the road we headed towards Tappahannock. We rolled into the city limits after 09:45; my map quest directions didn’t seem right. So we stopped and I gave the boat company a call for some directions. yes, we didn’t have the right directions; once we got the right directions, we were headed towards the boat. We got there just in the nick of time, just minutes before the boat left. In fact we were the last ones Getting on with the captain of the boat on our heels!!!

As we were headed to the upper level of the boat for some good seats, the captain started the boat engines and off we started, I was so glad we didn’t leave a few minutes later, or we would of missed the boat!!!

We couldn’t have asked for a better day, it was nice and sunny with low humidity. As we headed down the river, all the sea gulls were following us out, along with a few jet skis; it seems the jet skis like the wake from the boat. As we watched, they would cross the wake so their skis would launch into the air. there was one guy who would launch his ski into the air and dive his jet ski down under the water, and after a few seconds would pop up out of the water and would take off again!!!! we all weren’t sure what he was trying to do, IT was fun watching them. Got some really good pictures of the surrounding area as we traveled down the river. Some really nice homes along the river, too rich for my blood!!!!

There is one house that the captain told us the owner was a graduate of VT, because the roof of his large house was the school colors, I’m sure that was a pretty penny!!!! this house not only had a very colorful roof, but had its own private beach!!!! Joni was looking at the house with binoculars and was telling us all just what was on the grounds, good thing she couldn’t get a bird’s eye view of the bedroom, then again, maybe she did, and decided not to say anything??!! Joni; if you know anything, you need to share??!! inquiry minds want to know!!! :o)

Then the boat started to slow as we were passing some trees on the shore line and sure enough there were eagles in the trees, we saw two and was able to get some good pictures, the captain told us that there are around 200 eagles that live in the area, as of two years ago when they did a count. As we were going farther down the river; betty spotted other eagle and the captain slowed the boat so we all can get a good look. then we moved on towards the winery. Once the boat docked there were two old school buses to take us to the winery, once there, we had a really nice lunch. after lunch we were given a winery tour, and then on to a wine tasting. I tasted a few of the wines, and left the rest for Sharon and Jo to test out. I went into the wine store and got a bottle of wine I liked from the tasting. then we went to a small museum about the Indians in the area and about George Washington.

It was time to go back to the boat and head back. The ride on the boat was nice and relaxing for sure!!!! Once back we got on our bikes and stopped for a gas fill up and headed towards home.

This was a very good day and so relaxing and I for one would like to do something like this again!!! Another great DITR event!!!