Chesapeake, Smithfield, and Norfolk area VA, August 27 - September 3, 2014

August 27 - September 3, 2014

Bike mechanics

The wall at Atlantic Yacht Basin in Chesapeake VA

 Arriving at the Norfolk, VA airport on 

Railway lift to pull boats

Wednesday (8/28/14) with sister Susan in tow, the three of us climbed into an Enterprise rental car for our return to Atlantic Yacht Basin (AYB), Chesapeake, VA where SaSea Sally was docked in a shed. Clay's car driving left me questioning whether he'd remember how to drive a boat; it seemed he'd forgotten how to drive a car. And, Sus was wild-eyed in the back seat, holding on for dear life, and wondering, I'm sure, what she'd gotten herself into!

Shoulder therapy on the gunnel?

They never used any cleaning supplies (outside anyway)

The shed was dark, dreary but safe mooring for the month we were absent. Spending $2/foot more than the outside storage, Clay was comforted during our absence in case of hurricane or severe weather. Upon our arrival, I was anxious to move the boat outside despite the late hour, so we revved the engines, broke cobwebs along the deck, retrieved lines and fenders, and moved in the light of the sunset (which also gave us satellite reception for television and XM music/news).

We made steady progress towards unloading, unpacking, and stowing our tote bag contents amidst the not-too-dirty interior, then took stock of grocery needs for a Wednesday provisioning run. We dined at nearby Lockside Restaurant, then returned for our first overnight aboard SaSea Sally in almost a month.

As planned, Thursday was a day of provisioning at Wal-Mart. While I stashed and stowed our purchases, Sus dealt with a dead cell phone and Clay washed the quite-dirty exterior of the boat. We returned our Enterprise rental late afternoon, then walked to AYB from a dropoff at nearby Farm Fresh with the makings for a delightful dinner of salmon onboard.

The crew

The crew in Great Bridge Lock Park across from AYB Marina

I didn't get this cute pastry

At Sus' prompt, our Friday walk ended at Panera where we breakfasted on bagels (Clay opted for his favorite pecan, pronounced pee-kan, roll) and fresh fruit which Sus had backpacked the length of our walk. Post showers, Sus and I enjoyed the day on land while Clay finalized details for a Saturday departure; I'm sure we had more fun than he! We hit a Walgreens end-of-season sale on flip flops, beach balls, and other summer items; tested pretzels from Dollar Tree (a winning selection and the price was right!); and tried on a myriad of clothing items at Cato, selecting for purchase a couple items each. Ending the day with grilled burgers, we proclaimed the day a success!

Note the "two way" lock gates

THE NEW Great Bridge brige

Fishing and crabbing in Great Bridge

Double lock gates to lock either way depending on water level

Great Bridge Lock house

GrOur Friday breakfast was worth a repeat on Saturday (we confirmed we had the routine down pat as we packed our fresh fruit medley in containers housed in Sus' backpack), so we again ended our walk with breakfast bagels (and pee-kan roll for Clay) at Panera, but hustled on back shortly after our final swigs of java; we had a noon bridge opening to make at Great Bridge, VA. Departing AYB at 11:40 a.m., we made the bridge opening then radioed the lockmaster for entry just beyond. The female taskmaster, err...lockmaster, required two deckhands to man the process, so Sus was quickly called into action; my arms aren't quite long enough to handle all 43' with two lines solo. She's a trooper, took directions well, and displayed the confidence I had in her managing the task! You go, girl!

Carrier undergoing retrofit

Beautiful deckhand at Great Bridge Lock

Unloading a bulk ship

Crane on a barge

Navy yard cranes

Super high lift bridge!

We arrived Norfolk at 2:15 p.m., choosing Waterside Marina on the Elizabeth River in the heart of downtown as our overnight location. We were anxious to explore the downtown area which presented much 'curb appeal.' The sights were delightfully nautical with landscapes well manicured and riverwalk extensive. But cutsie little eclectic shops were almost non-existent much to Sus' disappointment. The waterfront complex of shops and services which looked so promising was nearly empty, having  been upstaged by nearby MacArthur Center (Dillards, Nordstroms, etc) and leaving only Hooters and Joe's Crab Shack to entertain those at the riverfront (not much entertainment unless you want to eat).

Mile Marker "0" on the Atlantic ICW

Navy drydocks in Norfolk

Carrier being worked on

Materials handling facility

With our shopping cut short (we weren't interested in the chain shops of the MacArthur Center), we meandered back to the boat where Sus struck up a conversation with the next-door neighbors, a husband and wife duo (each sporting 80+ years) aboard a sailboat. She found much in common with these two folks who had lived in Columbia, MO during his college years; I was pleased that Sus was getting a taste of the congeniality of the boating community! Later eve, Sus opted to stay onboard (saying she just couldn't walk another step) while Clay and I walked ten-plus blocks to the Big Easy Oyster Bar which featured a speakeasy atmosphere complete with live music. 

Sunday's departure incorporated an initial detour to Tidewater Marina in Plymouth, VA, directly across the river to acquire the navigational charts for the Chesapeake Bay. I'm a hardcopy person and prefer navigating with these charts as a cross-reference to Clay's electronics (GPS et al). Glad we detoured...read on!

Sunset from Waterside Marina

Models?

Hood ornaments cruising to Smithfield, VA

We cruised to Smithfield, VA, docking at Smithfield Station which was a marina, hotel and boardwalk complex of shops on the Pagan River. Herb (No Agenda) was quick to catch our lines and snug us in; again, I was pleased for Sus to witness the extreme helpfulness evident almost everywhere in the boating world. Introduced to Herb's wife Renee, we three women were quick to bond, sharing quips and quotes and personal stories. Just as in the small world evidenced by the chance meeting with the Waterside sailboaters, we soon found a common denominator withRenee (her best friend Christine was from Columbia, MO). We pursued further conversation around Smithfield Station's pool where we learned that Christine's dad had lived two doors from mom when each resided at The Bluffs (retirement home). 

Sally after a shower

Susan walking back to the boat

Herb and Renee's boat

USS Wisconsin (Nicknamed "Whiskey")

Three mermaids

As we chatted with Renee, we learned the story of nearby Windsor Castle Park, a 208-acre riverside park featuring a woodland trail system, picnic and open area space, dog park, kayak/canoe launch, fishing pier, mountain bike path, scenic overlooks and the historic manor house called Windsor Castle. Windsor Castle Farm was "originally part of a 1450 acre parcel patented in 1637 by Arthur Smith, an ancestor of the town's founder, Arthur Smith IV. The purchase of land for the creation of the park was made possible through the generous contribution of Mr. Joseph W. Luter, III, founder and former CEO of Smithfield Foods." We'd heard of Smithfield Foods and were aware of its presence here with the aroma of ham quite evident in the air all around. We were pleased to learn of Windsor Castle Park where Renee ran each early morning as we now had our morning walking route defined for us.
  

Big tree in Windsor Castle Park, Smithfield VA

Susan with Ben Franklin

Sally and Susan with one of Smithfield's pig statues

Another PIG.

Smithfield Station Marina and restaurant

Smithfield Station Marina Conf Center

We elected to make our stay at Smithfield Station a two-night docking which gave us the day Monday to 'play.' Clay, Sus and I walked the 3+ mile walking trail circling Windsor Castle Park followed by a late breakfast. We welcomed Herb, Renee and Christine aboard for a tour of our 43' Mainship then accepted a ride into town (it was beastly hot) to explore the shops in downtown Smithfield. We, of course, saw the pig motif incorporated in many gifts/souvenirs, and Sus got a taste of her eclectic shopping opportunity. Our only purchase of the day was lunch at Taste of Smithfield.

Sally with Ben Franklin

Back to the marina (on foot and downhill all the way), we donned swimsuits and enjoyed time poolside. Sus was a sport to tolerate my lap swimming (a short pool, but nonetheless swimmable) while she could only bob around in the water. We dined at Smithfield Station after finding Renee's #1 restaurant recommendation (Smithfield Inn) closed on this Labor Day Monday.

USCG doing their thing on Labor Day

Two carriers in Newport News getting demoed or retrofitted

Tuesday morning we repeated our walk at the park, took a quick dip in the pool, then prepared to launch toward Rebel Marina on Willoughby Bay in Norfolk (recommended by our good friend Tom (Journey) and emphasized by the availability of a courtesy car to get Sus to the Norfolk airport for her Wednesday flight home). As Clay started the engines, he discovered a black GPS screen. Not good when you depend on the boat's electronics to get you from point A to point B! It's always good to have back-up Plan B (as we've mentioned numerous times along our Loop!) And, thank goodness for those paper navigational charts purchased at Tidewater just two days prior; they're rather expensive, rather large and unwieldy, but they work when electronics don't. Of course, that put me in navigating mode requiring far more of my time and attention than had the trip to Smithfield. But, no worries. The task confirmed the presence of my self-taught navigational skills and gave Sus a chance to learn as well. We twins do like to share!

Fort Guarding the north shore of Norfolk VA

Wednesday's walk excluded 
Clay as we left him to deal with an electronics guru who installed a new GPS switch in the flybridge. Clay had quickly realized the

BIG BOY in the Navy Yard in Norfolk

faulty switch's demise and that the task was beyond his realm of expertise. Over breakfast, Clay outlined his plan for the day which included borrowing the courtesy car for lunch en route to the Norfolk airport, a provisioning stop, and departure by 3 p.m. for a cruise across the Chesapeake Bay to Cape Charles Town Harbor. 

We found Surf Rider to be a delightful lunch stop waterside (Little Creek) where Sus and I chose yummy black and bleu (fish and bleu cheese) wraps, and Clay chose fried clams with fries. Norfolk's airport, conveniently located nearby, was our next stop where we dropped Sus along with a sincere invitation to join us again! She makes a good Looper: meets people well; enjoys a bit of adventure; adapts to Plan B, C, D, etc; and even welcomes a 9 p.m. bedtime! 

Norfolk Bay Lighthouse

Only one hour past our planned departure time, we revved the engines and entered the Chesapeake Bay at 4 p.m. for a three-hour extremely rough ride among what Clay called 'confused' waves which had us pitching and tossing in all directions. I felt like a ball in one of those circle games where participants have to keep the ball in motion, tossing from one player to another. I don't mind playing the game, but being the ball is a different scenario entirely! A constant battle with balance left me exhausted as we arrived at Cape Charles Town Harbor in the light of the setting sun. Thank goodness for leftovers as I had little energy for much else!

Safe at Cape Charles Town Harbor on the "Eastern Shore" of VA

This email summarizes our time with Sus onboard SaSea Sally. With August behind us and September beginning, we look forward to time in the Chesapeake area...and to maybe a bit of cooler weather which would allow and encourage anchoring overnight more often. Uh-oh, that anchor word...let's hope Clay and I can stay untangled from the chain!

Our adventures continue!