June 10, Occoquan, VA

Today we moved north on the Potomac River toward Washington, DC.

Navy parol boat controlling river traffic during 'live fire' exercises.

We were advised in the Dozier's Cruising Guide that we should monitor vhf channel 16 (our marine radio) and listen for any information from the Naval Surface Weapons Center in Dehlgren, Virginia, just upriver from Colonial Beach. The Naval Weapons Station has live fire exercises from time to time. And as we moved out of Colonial Beach we heard on the radio from one of their patrol boats that they were, in fact, having a live fire exercise as we headed into the area. They asked us to move over to the Maryland side of the river and we did. Delays are rare and it was interesting to hear the gunfire from the base on shore as we passed by probably a mile away.

Bridge

Bridge mechanics are interesting.

The Bridge crosses the Potomac and is the only bridge over the Potomac until we get to Washington. DC. Quite rural all along the river.

We motored about 50 miles upriver on the Potomac and stopped in the town of Occoquan which was founded in 1765.

New townhouses.

Downtown Occoquan

Older buildings have some charm.

Garden at a shop.

The Town of Occoquan (about 20 miles from Washington, DC) has a village dock so we could see the town. Dock was available for overnight dockage but the village only had 30 amp (single plug) power and we need 50 amp. We walked through the town and found some interesting architecture and shops. The newer construction seems mostly vacant. With out 50 amp power we decided to move on.

Belmont Bay Marina and condominiums.
Must be 500 units here.

We moved to the Belmont Bay Harbor (a marina with a large condominium project) and found their famous 5 star restaqurant closed. The Occoquan area has several large marina's and is home to a very large number of boats. Must be one place where Washington, DC, residents keep their boats.