May 27, 2024 Urbanna - Memorial Day Weekend and a Family Visit

 Sat May 25, 2024  Carter Creek to Urbanna Boatyard and Marina  1.3 hours and 10 miles

We've been to Urbanna several times and always like it.  Very small but super accommodating to boaters and the town has a lot of history going back to the earliest days of Virginia.  This was our first time staying at the Urbanna Boatyard and Marina (referred to as URRBY marina).  Historically we've stayed at the town dock, but the allure of full-length floating finger piers would make things easier for our visiting guests with children to get on and off the boat. A great decision as the owners Andy and Amy are super hospitable and we wound up with a slip right behind the office with brand new clean bathrooms. 

With beautiful weather starting the Memorial Day weekend we expected to see a bit more boating traffic for our short cruise across the Rappahannock river. Apparently, they were all waiting in the harbor as we were greeted by a parade of sailboats heading out just as we began entering the narrow entrance.  No issues and after a quick confirmation with the marina we were soon stern tied into our slip. 

Over to our friends Jamie and Trish on No Rush who are also here for the weekend.  Met their friends who were visiting and enjoyed hearing stories while partaking of adult beverages.    Sunday we were up early for a trip to the local grocery store.  As we were leaving and starting to repack grocery bags into our folding cart, we were greeted by a young lady named Hannah who asked if we were from the marina.  She insisted on us loading our bags and cart into her SUV and delivered us right to our boat.   As I said - the town is very accommodating and friendly to boaters.

Sunday our guests arrived.  My nephew Dan, his wife Athene and their 2 children - 4-1/2 year old Xavier and 1 year old Eliza.   After a walk to town for a quick bite we headed to the town museum to view the John Mitchell map. A large scale historically significant map dating back to the 1700's. It was of particular interest to Dan with his geography degree and mapping background.  Back at the boat the kayaks were waiting in the water, so Dan and Xavier headed out to explore the sandy beach by the harbor entrance.  A very popular spot lined one end to the other with pleasure boaters.   Finished the day with an outdoor pizza party at the picnic table followed by Shrek for movie night on the boat. 

The Mitchell Map

Back from a trip to the sandy and wet beach

Dan and Xavier at the upper helm

While Athene and Eliza watch

Bands of rain were forecast to start moving in on Monday so after Xavier helped prepare melon and waffles for breakfast it was time for them to hit the road.  Always wonderful seeing them all and catching up on their hectic lives.  Rain on and off the rest of the day so some TV, some chores, some relaxing, some blogging.  Then dinner out with Jamie and Trish as we compared plans for a trip over to Onancock on Tues AM.

Journey for May 25, 2024