Southern Route Itinerary
Highlights: Yorktown, Marshlands of Lower Chesapeake Bay, Fort Monroe, Kiptopeake State Park, Cape Charles
Typical Itinerary
(The itinerary is subject to change due to weather and other factors. Several ports of call and locations may include Yorktown, Hampton, Fort Jefferson, Mobjack Bay, Kiptopeake, Salt Ponds, or other locations in the Southern Chesapeake Bay sailing area)
Day 1 (arrival day):
Upon arrival, participants will stow their personal gear and then go out for a swim check. Over the course of the rest of the afternoon and evening, participants will get to know one another, become oriented to the boat and its systems, and become acquainted with the route.
Day 2:
From Cape Charles, we will sail to Yorktown, Virginia. Along the way we will sample the water and perform a plankton draw. We will examine the health of the Bay through these water samples. Upon arrival in Yorktown, you will go ashore and explore an area that has been pivotal in America's history.
Day 3:
Anchorage and Kayaking expedition. We will explore one of the many marsh habitats in the multitude of bays and coves along the western shore of the Lower Chesapeake Bay. Water quality sampling, plankton identification, and environmental teasing are among the activities that will be in addition to sailing and navigation.
Day 4:
Fort Monroe dockage. This interesting and recent civilian fort, used from the early 1800s through the early 2000s as a military fort, ties history and the environment in surprising ways. This fort was a supply point, a defensive position for several conflicts, a prison, and home to several famous people. The unfortunate environmental legacy offers insight into issues that surround populous areas and how environmental clean-up is a science in itself.
Day 5:
From Ft. Monroe, we travel back across the bay to Kiptopeke State Park and anchor in the shelter of the concrete ships. From there, we kayak ashore where experts use hands-on activities to demonstrate the importance of the Eastern Shore in everything from oyster habitats to migratory bird routes.
Day 6:
We return to Cape Charles for disembarkation. Participants will deep clean the vessel and participate in a debrief before leaving for home.