We became a couple of landlubbers for 10 days while we spent time with our kids and grandkids, after covering the last couple of hundred miles of the ICW to get from NC to Hampton, VA. The weather on this last leg of trip north was mild (for a change), and we arrived in Hampton in good time to fulfill our babysitting duties.
Memorial Day at Great Bridge
Three days after leaving R. E. Mayo’s docks behind for the Alligator River, we found ourselves tying up to the free dock at Great Bridge (in the town of Chesapeake VA). We love staying at this convenient dock on the waterway. There are lots of services within walking distance (grocery, propane, pharmacy, several restaurants, barber shop/beauty salon, Dairy Queen, just to name a few), and we usually meet other boaters or locals on shore during our stay. This visit was no different.
Three days after leaving R. E. Mayo’s docks behind for the Alligator River, we found ourselves tying up to the free dock at Great Bridge (in the town of Chesapeake VA). We love staying at this convenient dock on the waterway. There are lots of services within walking distance (grocery, propane, pharmacy, several restaurants, barber shop/beauty salon, Dairy Queen, just to name a few), and we usually meet other boaters or locals on shore during our stay. This visit was no different.
Sunrise north of Coinjock
Arriving on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, we were uncertain whether the holiday would make the Great Bridge docks more crowded than usual. Therefore, we left Coinjock before dawn to ensure we would be ahead of the pack of sailboats making their way north. As it happened, we arrived by noon and found plenty of space on the docks. Our early arrival just meant we could enjoy an ice cream cone for lunch. Not bad.
These signs were new on the docks this visit. In talking to someone from Homeland Security, we learned that foreign flagged vessels are routinely checked to ensure compliance with regulations.
That evening we talked to some of the members of the Marine Corps League whose Chesapeake detachment occupies a building next to the docks. We were invited to stay for the city’s Memorial Day cookout. When we replied that we were concerned about the 24-hour stay limit, we were told that it would be OK. (Among the group was a representative from the local Homeland Security patrol and the Army Corps of Engineers who are responsible for the locks.) We decided we would make it to Hampton in good time for our obligations and stayed on for the event.
It was a good decision. They had smoked pork BBQ, shrimp, baked beans, hush puppies, potato salad, and more. It was a feast. One of their members had his own smoker that he used to cook the pork the day before. We arrived early on Monday to help with the set-up as a way of “singing for our supper” so to speak. It was greatly appreciated and we enjoyed getting to know the group a little better.
After lunch, we headed back to the boat, and cast off for the 2pm lock opening. We wanted to be in Hampton for a couple of days to get the boat ready to leave for the week we would be away. So, we had the time to get the through the lock and remaining bridges and still be in Hampton long before sunset.
After lunch, we headed back to the boat, and cast off for the 2pm lock opening. We wanted to be in Hampton for a couple of days to get the boat ready to leave for the week we would be away. So, we had the time to get the through the lock and remaining bridges and still be in Hampton long before sunset.
Our trip was made even easier by the fact that there is now one less bridge on the Elizabeth River. The Jordan Bridge had its span removed in early May.
Doing the Grandparent Thing
We were thrilled to have 10 days to spend with our grandchildren and their parents. It was a lot of fun and we were glad we were able to make it up north quickly enough to do it. It wasn’t all fun and games, though. Our son-in-law drafted us to help install a pool one Saturday, which gave us another reminder of why we don’t miss this part of homeownership.
Blackbeard Pirate Festival
This was probably the best Pirate Festival weekend we’ve enjoyed. The overcast skies on Saturday, without the threatened rain made the day cool and breezy. Our son’s family joined us for the day, including an evening picnic on the dock that Steve from Bay Dreamer organized. And, for the first time in our 3 years of attending, the fireworks finally took place, right over our heads. It was a great day.
This was probably the best Pirate Festival weekend we’ve enjoyed. The overcast skies on Saturday, without the threatened rain made the day cool and breezy. Our son’s family joined us for the day, including an evening picnic on the dock that Steve from Bay Dreamer organized. And, for the first time in our 3 years of attending, the fireworks finally took place, right over our heads. It was a great day.
On Sunday, we took a short stroll by ourselves through the festival to enjoy some of the music and food, ending the day with Tom and Cathie from Interlude whose boat now sits in a slip at Joy’s near Orion. Now that we plan to be in Hampton most of the summer, we hope to see more of them.
Boat Stuff
With all the traveling, boat work was kept to a minimum, but the planning for the summer projects has begun. A trip to Deltaville is imminent to get estimates for the various projects on the list. A surprise addition to the list is a new leak by the rudder that showed itself for the first time as we made our way to Great Bridge. The water had overflowed the small well below the rudder post to pool under the engine drive shaft. In mopping it up, Dave traced it back further aft, but wasn’t sure of its cause. While on the dock at Great Bridge (and later at Hampton), the compartment stayed dry. Only when we moved from Great Bridge to Hampton was he able to isolate the source as the rubber seal under the quadrant.
We also discovered a problem with another leak on our starboard water tank, this time under the sight glass. So, we removed and re-sealed it with silicone, which has done the job so far.
Thanks to our trip to Boater’s World, we have a new grill, which Dave mounted to replace the old one. He no longer has to deal with the briquettes that the old one had, and the top is permanently attached with a pivot to swing it open, instead of the wire that head the other one on.
On to Deltaville
Our next stop is Deltaville to get their input on Orion’s job list, before heading to Solomons to visit Don and Cindy and crew. We hope to be back in Hampton in a week – not 2 months later, like last year.
Boat Stuff
With all the traveling, boat work was kept to a minimum, but the planning for the summer projects has begun. A trip to Deltaville is imminent to get estimates for the various projects on the list. A surprise addition to the list is a new leak by the rudder that showed itself for the first time as we made our way to Great Bridge. The water had overflowed the small well below the rudder post to pool under the engine drive shaft. In mopping it up, Dave traced it back further aft, but wasn’t sure of its cause. While on the dock at Great Bridge (and later at Hampton), the compartment stayed dry. Only when we moved from Great Bridge to Hampton was he able to isolate the source as the rubber seal under the quadrant.
We also discovered a problem with another leak on our starboard water tank, this time under the sight glass. So, we removed and re-sealed it with silicone, which has done the job so far.
Thanks to our trip to Boater’s World, we have a new grill, which Dave mounted to replace the old one. He no longer has to deal with the briquettes that the old one had, and the top is permanently attached with a pivot to swing it open, instead of the wire that head the other one on.
On to Deltaville
Our next stop is Deltaville to get their input on Orion’s job list, before heading to Solomons to visit Don and Cindy and crew. We hope to be back in Hampton in a week – not 2 months later, like last year.
