The EASTERN SEABOARD… or, where The Swamp Fox rode, Washington surveyed, and Sheridan Marched!
Spring and fall offer an excellent opportunity to charter for a calm, quiet and beautiful cruise north or south one of the world's longest waterways.
The East Coast of the United States from Fort Jefferson in the south to Fort Schuyler in the north is an historical trail, be it ashore or by sea. From the moment you board a vessel anywhere north of Key West your days, and nights will be spent wondering the bays, coves, sounds and waterways that have served as the passageway of history. Ponce de Leon arrived on the shores of Florida years before the 'Susan Constance' and Captain John Smith broached the Capes of the Chesapeake to build a colony at Jamestown. Lord Baltimore and his Catholic followers sailed up the bay and Bill Penn and the Quakers found the Delaware River on their way to Philadelphia. The Dutch somehow managed to find Sandy Hook and the Hudson and camped south of the wall on Manhatten
before the rowdy English arrived from the north to squeeze the Indians off their very own land!
So, you see, without every stepping ashore you've all ready been to and seen a lot of history and where it happened. Now let's go ashore and be amazed.
Following the Intercoastal Waterway north from Florida is a whole lifetime of cruising. There are little towns and landings that offer insights to days long past that you'll only find by exploring from the water view. Large old plantation houses and ruins of forts long forgotten are but a part of every day on the waterway. But, don't forget the bigger cities, Savanah, Charleston, Wilmington, NC all have their points of interest and their stories to tell. Likewise, a stop at Litchfield Landing on the Waccamaw River gives you the opportunity to visit Brookgreen Gardens, the largest collection of American sculpting to be found anywhere in the country. A worth while stop.
Leaving the Carolinas behind there are two routes north, one less traveled but much more interesting for a smaller boat, Elizabeth City to Norfolk via the Dismal Swamp Canal; the handiwork of a young George Washington and his team of surveyors.
No cruise up the Chesapeake would be complete without a stop to visit the battle grounds, ramparts, and earthworks just as they were when Cornwallis surrendered to Washington and the American Revolution ended at Yorktown. Tangiers and Smith Islands harken back to the early days of life on the Chesapeake when you could still hear the words of 'Olde English' spoken by the friendly people who made their living crabbing and oystering. Sailing up the Potomac you pass Mount Vernon on your way to Washington. There seem to be more sailboats in every creek and cove with the Severn River, the Navel Academy, and Spa Creek making Annapolis a sailors dream.
The Jersey coast has not changed much over the years, except for Atlantic City, its casinos, and boardwalk that are once again filled with folks day and night enjoying the cool ocean breezes and a chance to win big!
