December’s Gift

Published on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 by Katherine

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With the temperature a record low of 14 degrees today, it is hard to believe I was riding in a boat just a few weeks ago.  Indeed, December gave us a gift of one 75 degree day that I will not soon forget.  Sporting our shorts and our hoodies, we set out through the intracoastal waterway just a week before Christmas!

The drawbridges on the intracoastal waterway in Chesapeake actually rotate to open rather than move up like a “classic” drawbridge.

This equipment looked like a giant metal beast guarding hidden treasure sunk in the Chesapeake waters.  It is used for dredging, ensuring the waterway is deep enough for passing boats.

Sure it was 75 degrees, but the water temperature?  Not so much in December.  This was one dedicated paddle boarder!

This family has some serious plumbing issues, don’t you think?

I love the look of rust and decay randomly placed in urban settings.

This is the old Captain George’s sign located in Pungo.  After the restaurant closed, urban explorers managed some pictures before the building was razed. Fortunately, the sign still remains.

This was a simple break in the trees, allowing a peek at a newly planted farm.

We came across a barge being guided by “Bunny,” a Portsmouth tugboat.

We found ourselves passing the abandoned Pungo Ferry Marina General Store.  I love graffiti, and laughed out loud as the large sign came in to view.  Apparently there was a bit of a graffiti competition… bitch!  (Blatant Breaking Bad reference, of course.)

It is very common to see osprey nests on just about anything located in our waters.

Duck hunters often cover their boats with reed blinds.  Notice the one on the grass as well as the one on the water.

Halfway through the trip we stopped at the Blackwater Trading Post for barbeque sandwiches.  There was a case filled with rattles from local rattlesnakes.  It was fascinating and a bit daunting considering I was unaware of how many rattlesnakes we have nearby.  I love how you can see our reflections in the glass.

This record-breaking warm weather was a welcome gift just before the temperatures dropped to record-breaking lows.  Stay bundled up, everyone!