A Fun Tour Of Some Snazzy Homes On The Potomac River Near Washington D.C.
There it is, the most beautiful home in the US. George Washington’s Mount Vernon. 10 minutes north from us. Bring your kids, they wont know there getting a history lesson.
One of the surprising parts of living in Washington DC is that we often forget that there is an amazing river running right next to it. Honestly I feel like a fool, since I am 4th generation from here. Yes, I knew it was here, even learned to sail on the Potomac near National Airport at the time. But I had never really been out down near the Oquaquan River. When you head south from DC and get near Woodbridge, around 18 miles south you cross a bridge over a small river. That’s it. That’s were our new HQ is, and we had not really been on a tour yet, so we brought Suzy home from Reedville for the rest of the season. Thanks to fellow Woody Boaters Shaun and Danielle our near by neighbors went out on Moonshiner to give us the grand tour. Whats shocking is that it feels like a super nice lake out there, that goes on and on, Up to the Nations Capital, or all the way to Europe. Lets go for a short Monday cruise.
Gunston Hall, George Masons home right next door.
This may not look like much, but there is an area way south were the navy would junk old ships. Some are still there rusted out. Make a fun trip, especialy if you like to fish or explore
Back to the nice homes along the way. YEEEOUCH, As Suzy said, is that one persons home!
A stop at one of the restaurants along the way,
Tims River Shore, Home of Steamed Crabs, Thick juicy burgers, live music, you can anchor your boat and they come out and get you. AMAZING right near our home..
On the way, more nice homes.
That’s the officers club to Ft Belvoir over looking the River.
Riding closer to some more normal homes near Mt Vernon
More normal and fun Potomac river living.
Moonshiner slowing down to a nice idle
Todays header, exploring the little areas off the river, this is under the parkway and then into a wonderfull little water front community
Lets head home
The afternoon sunlight out there is stunning
Suzy parked in her new boat house on Massy Creeek. OK the boat house is ratty and far from new. But she likes it there for sure.
Matt that looks like such a GREAT day spent WoodyBoating!
I agree about rivers. If you live on the right river system you have so many options.
Last night Sandi and I motored to Boothbay Harbor to the Whale’s Tale for dinner and came home in the Moonlight. It was so calm and beautiful we powered right past our float, went up river a few miles, turned around and came home. We didn’t want it to end.
I envy your great day of boating. It was 55 and raining in Michigan yesterday. BTW, I will trade your ‘ratty” boat house for my HarborMaster boat lift any day of the week. Stop whining!
Nice story. Thank you.
Wonderful story. Some pretty impressive homes along the route.
Matt, I agree river runnin’ is the best boating there is. If we go out on Lake Michigan, there are always uncomfortable waves, even on no wind days, either prior wind or big ass yachts. Ronnie and I are looking forward to running the Mt Dora river run next March, and we will be down in Tenn. for the October Pickwick Landings Fall River Cruise.
AND do not forget, the Water Wonderland Chapter will have a Fall River Cruise on Sept 28th North of Grand Rapids, Mi. Call me for details all you Midwestern WoodyBoaters, and come join us.
I anchored off of Mt. Vernon one time, pre 9/11 days, and had always heard that an guard was at Washington’s tomb 24/7/365….NOPE……after midnight I paddled the canoe/dink in…..walked up to the tomb….and sat in the dark with George and Martha for a while…..really cool. In those days the only place to get gas was at a hidden marina right next to the pentagon parking lot…bet that is closed now…
Neat header.
John in Va.
I was at a “gov’mint” conference some years ago (90’s) staying around the Smithsonian and went running after they let out one evening and I come across a waterfront restaurant overlooking a marina on the Potomac. Just had to eat there (so I’m a little sweatie). What a great place to eat and hell there’s a marina and you could live aboard d/t and bike/run/walk to work. Don’t know what the slip cost but bet it was astronomical based on my parking fee at the hotel. Well, I did have a boat trailer with me as I worked out a trip to pick up someones boat and deliver it elsewhere on the gov’ts per diem for the conference trip (gotta make it where you can).
I guess that should be “sweaty” not to be confused with “sweetie”.
Moonshiner, sweet looking boat! Yes the Potomac up around DC has some beautiful sites to see from historic to modern; watched the Woodrow Wilson being built over the years , marvelous engineering feet and great perspective from the water. At Gravely Point, it’s a rush to see the commercial airliners coming in to land about 100 feet over head doing ~150 mph. Who knows if you’re really lucky you may even get the chance to witness that seldom seen creation, the Duck Boat, an amphibious vehicle that tours the city by land and water and drives right up out of the water quacking away while you’re fussing with trailers, currents and other boaters 🙂
Was stationed at Bolling AFB in the late 80’s/early 90’s and kept a boat at the Marina there. Lots of good memories boating on the Potomac.