by Marjorie Mckinstry-Miller

Created on: January 15, 2007   Last Updated: April 17, 2007

Imagine a relaxing all day boat ride that features history, bald eagles, and a tour and tasting at one of Virginia's premier wineries. Sound delightful? Then drive on down to Tappahannock and step aboard the Captain Thomas, a sixty foot wooden pleasure cruiser that departs from Hoskin's Creek at 10 in the morning all through the spring, summer, and fall. Once the boat leaves dock, Captain Justin Bowis begins regaling the crowd with historical antidotes and local lore pertaining to the bygone days of Virginia and the Rappahannock River. For the next two hours, passengers relax in the salty breeze while waiting for Justin to spy eagles along the river shore. Once alerted of an eagle sighting, binoculars, camcorders, and cameras suddenly surface as eager passengers document a sighting of America's national bird.

By lunchtime, the Captain Thomas is just pulling into Leedstown, Virginia, a small community most famous for the ruins of Bray's Church, where, in 1766, Richard Henry Lee wrote the Leedstown Resolutions, the first document criticizing British rule and an important precursor to the Declaration of Independence. After reverently absorbing a little national history, Justin reminds the temporary "crew" of the Captain Thomas that it's time to board the two buses waiting to drive them the two miles to Ingleside Winery, "one of the oldest and largest wineries in Virginia." A private tour of the winery awaits the "crew," followed by a tasting of six of their wines, including Blue Crab Blanc, Chesapeake Claret, and Sweet Virginia Rose (a "hot tub" wine). Next door is an enormous gift shop filled with all things "rivah" and wine. If a particular vintage tickles one's fancy, the significant discount will make it even more appealing. Chilled bottles are also available for those who'd like a little tipple with their lunch in the Winery's elegant courtyard that is centered around an enormous wrought iron fountain.

After enjoying their two hour stopover at Ingleside Winery, everyone re-boards the Captain Thomas for the oh-so-relaxing cruise home. By this time, couples quietly lean, arm in arm, over the rails, Moms and Dads sit back in their deck chairs as small children doze off to sleep, and parties chat quietly about the highlights of the trip. Justin notes the more relaxed mood, and enhances it by softly playing Jimmy Buffet's Son of a Son of a Sailor Album. Smiles grow larger, and a few are inspired to reach into their coolers seeking an appropriate beverage with which to toast the Captain. Around 4 p.m., the Captain Thomas returns to Hoskin's Creek and the more raucous crowd of the morning is replaced by the content and blissful passengers who stroll down the gangplank, waving goodbye to Justin as they begin to plan their next "rivah" excursion.

For more information regarding this cruise, check out www.tangiercruise.com, where you will find schedules and prices for the Rappahannock River cruise as well as information about the dinner and dance steamboat cruise departing from Fredericksburg or the Tangier Island cruise that departs from historic Reedsville.

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