Dave and Jayden
We made it as far north as Virginia over the past 2 weeks, but we cheated. We got there by train. We finally got to see our new grandson in person and spend time with him and our other grandsons (and their parents, of course). We left Orion in Charleston, having traveled there with Pat and Fred, but we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
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Dave greeting Pat and Fred as they arrive at Fernandina
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Dave providing water taxi service
We lost no time in getting together to catch up and begin making plans for travel north. It looked like it would be at least 2 days before a weather window opened up to go outside to Charleston, so we had a couple of days in Fernandina to enjoy each other’s company. We took in the Amelia Island Museum of History, which had a wonderful guided tour. Among other things we learned was that the modern shrimping industry had it origins in Fernandina. Afterwards, Fred led us on a “death march” in search of an elusive Chinese buffet. We found it next to a Winn Dixie and Wal-mart, but it may be the last time Fred goes there on foot.
Fernandina to Charleston
By Friday, the time for playing was over, we left before sun-up, the first 2 of a flood of boats (at least 20) that left Fernandina that day for points north. We were about an hour ahead of everyone, but could hear them all on the radio as we traveled through the night. A few continued on outside to Georgetown, a few headed to Beaufort, and a few came in behind us to Charleston. We arrived early Saturday morning in Charleston just behind the NorwegianCruise Line (NCL)’s Majesty cruise ship that had carried Cathy’s mom to Key West a few weeks earlier. We actually arrived a little too early, since we made it in about a half hour before the Maritime Center opened. So, we killed the time on a beautiful morning by taking our own harbor tour of the Charleston waterfront down to the Battery.
Charleston in a Day
Once docked, we wasted no time in heading to the Farmer’s Market, where Pat stocked up on fresh vegetables and we took in the many vendors there. Although we were all tired, this was Pat and Fred’s first real access to a grocery store, so they spent the afternoon getting more provisions at Harris Teeter, while we worked out our plans for traveling to Virginia by land. Orion would stay put in Charleston for a month.
We got together on Marianna for a goodbye dinner Saturday evening. Pat and Fred were moving on the next day, and we were all tired, so it was of necessity an early night. We said a reluctant goodbye the next morning. Fred had decided to make an outside run, but was uncertain about the weather further north, so he wasn’t sure what destination he would commit to. Shortly after leaving, Dave radio’d him on the VHF to give him the weather forecast information from the internet. What he didn’t realize until well into his transmission was that a number of boats were listening in – and were very grateful for the information. He agreed with Fred to contact him in the afternoon again via ham radio, specifically to allow the other boats to listen in. Another Chris Parker (marine radio weather forecaster) is born.
All Aboard
We never expected to find that our best option for traveling to Virginia was going to be the train – a fast 6 ½ hour trip from Charleston to Petersburg. We just had to get to the station in Charleston, and our daughter would pick us up on the other end. Lynn and Ken from Restless were gracious enough to help us out with a ride to the station early Monday morning. We spent an hour catching up with this couple whom we had met first in Atlantic Highlands last summer. They had spent their first cruising winter in Charleston with their new grandchild and were soon to head north again the first of May, so we were glad we got to spend a little time with them before they were off.
As for the train ride, it was an easy relaxing trip up (and back). We hope to do this more often.
Once docked, we wasted no time in heading to the Farmer’s Market, where Pat stocked up on fresh vegetables and we took in the many vendors there. Although we were all tired, this was Pat and Fred’s first real access to a grocery store, so they spent the afternoon getting more provisions at Harris Teeter, while we worked out our plans for traveling to Virginia by land. Orion would stay put in Charleston for a month.
We got together on Marianna for a goodbye dinner Saturday evening. Pat and Fred were moving on the next day, and we were all tired, so it was of necessity an early night. We said a reluctant goodbye the next morning. Fred had decided to make an outside run, but was uncertain about the weather further north, so he wasn’t sure what destination he would commit to. Shortly after leaving, Dave radio’d him on the VHF to give him the weather forecast information from the internet. What he didn’t realize until well into his transmission was that a number of boats were listening in – and were very grateful for the information. He agreed with Fred to contact him in the afternoon again via ham radio, specifically to allow the other boats to listen in. Another Chris Parker (marine radio weather forecaster) is born.
All Aboard
We never expected to find that our best option for traveling to Virginia was going to be the train – a fast 6 ½ hour trip from Charleston to Petersburg. We just had to get to the station in Charleston, and our daughter would pick us up on the other end. Lynn and Ken from Restless were gracious enough to help us out with a ride to the station early Monday morning. We spent an hour catching up with this couple whom we had met first in Atlantic Highlands last summer. They had spent their first cruising winter in Charleston with their new grandchild and were soon to head north again the first of May, so we were glad we got to spend a little time with them before they were off.
As for the train ride, it was an easy relaxing trip up (and back). We hope to do this more often.
Family Reunion
So, we finally arrived in Jarratt to meet our newest grandson, Troy Brendan. He was growing fast, having his 1 month birthday while we were there. (No cake, though.) We also enjoyed spending time with Jayden and Droz, as they are getting bigger and smarter every day. We spent a day entertaining Jayden, which was a lot of fun and then Dave got to “walk home” with Droz from school. (Note that “home” is over 10 miles away. They stopped instead at the Dollar store.) We felt lucky to be in town for an awards night for one of Droz’s after school programs. It was a great visit with the entire family.
So, we finally arrived in Jarratt to meet our newest grandson, Troy Brendan. He was growing fast, having his 1 month birthday while we were there. (No cake, though.) We also enjoyed spending time with Jayden and Droz, as they are getting bigger and smarter every day. We spent a day entertaining Jayden, which was a lot of fun and then Dave got to “walk home” with Droz from school. (Note that “home” is over 10 miles away. They stopped instead at the Dollar store.) We felt lucky to be in town for an awards night for one of Droz’s after school programs. It was a great visit with the entire family.
Goodbye - Again?
To our surprise, we heard from Pat and Fred less than a week after we waved goodbye in Charleston. They had made it to Norfolk, where (to our good fortune and their bad fortune) weather was preventing them from making the outside run north. We were only an hour and a half away, so we drove to meet them and spend the afternoon with them at Waterside Marina in Norfolk. Their review of the weather and the amount of travel still ahead of them resulted in their decision to leave Marianna in Hampton for a month and drive home, so Pat could get her business restarted. Unfortunately, we discovered the next day that they had taken our slip at Joy’s Marina in Hampton. (Well, it’s not exactly ours, we just have become used to being there.) Maybe we gave them a little too much information.
In Charleston for a while
We’ll spend the next 2 weeks in Charleston, when the Maritime Festival clears out the marina, and we need to start moving north again. Until then, we won’t mind enjoying this wonderful city.
In Charleston for a while
We’ll spend the next 2 weeks in Charleston, when the Maritime Festival clears out the marina, and we need to start moving north again. Until then, we won’t mind enjoying this wonderful city.
