11/08/2007, Still in Hampton, VA
Well, we almost made it today. Dinghy was hoisted up, turned on the engines and were ready to head out and then we had a minor engine ignition problem so we're here hopefully just one more day!! It turns out thaqt we wouldn't have been able to make it too far anyway because the cruise ship that goes up and down the ICW got grounded at Pungo Bay so the ICW was closed but that of course happened after we had tried and failed to leave.
The plan is to wakeup at 6am tomorrow, slide over to the harbor master to fill up our water tanks and then head out at 0dark 30. At least that's the plan. The beauty of things are that since I no longer wear a watch and have absolutely no idea what day of teh week it is or even the date itself, I have absolutely no clue as to how many days we've actually been here.
On the positive side, today I was able to finally stow away all of our stuff, so we no longer have tubs lyingall over the place and since the harbormaster has free dumpsters, I think we've just about filled it up all by ourselves! Hopefully I'll be able to remember where I've got everything stashed and a few things accidently fell into one bottomless pit we call our bilge. I can't reach to fish it out so I guess the next time I reorganize, I'll try to remember to dig it out.
This is a pix of our cockpit enclosure. It's been great on these chilly days. It acts as a little greenhouse during the day and has been wonderful.Will write from our next destination (hopefully).
11/07/2007, Still in Hampton, VA
Well, we're still enjoying ourselves but, by our choosing we are still in Hampton. It's just so easy here and teh harbormaster is great. Hot showers are $1, found the laundromat today which was w/in a reasonable walking distance, went back to the grocery store (2nd time in 2days) and Tim went offon his bike to find the h/w store and an automotive store.
For those non-cruisers, Velco Beach refersto Vero Beach, FL where cruisers come for a short time and wind up never leaving. However forus,I think the thing pushing us on is going to be the weather. There is a frost warning for tonight although during the day it has been warming up into the lower 60s.I'm anxious to actually hit the ICW. It seems exciting although I'm sure after the 1st 2 hours that will turn out to be hohum and then after a couple of weeksof it I'm sure we'll be anxious to get out.
Regardless, I think we're going to try to leave tomorrow although this has been a welcome respite after the mad and crazy whirlwind our lives havebeen forthe last 2 years.
Take care and will writewhen I can.
11/05/2007, Hampton Roads, VA
Sorry about the lack of contact. Can you believe that people actually have the gall to block their wifi signals! Last night we spent in transit (more about that later) and the previous 2 nights we were down on the Miles River right outside of Solomons Island w/out any internet access. Solomons was nice we walked around some, spent 1.5 days there, found a beach for Gizmo to play on and just basically pissed the day(s) away. We left yesterday morning to head south and were going to head into the Rappahanock to spend the night when I was finally able to induce Gizmo (much to his chagrin) to pee on the deck outside. You could tell he was mortified but I of course was praising him up and down and then gave him lots of treats. 1st 1/2 the day yesterday we had light winds so we put up the gennaker and were doing ~6 knotswhich was pretty good in ~8 knots of apparent wind!!Unfortunately the wind only lasted about 1/2 the day. Then it was a long motor down. Because Giz was able to go to the bathroom and we weren'tall that tired we decided to continue on so we got into Hampton Roads about 5am. We'renow anchored in the downtown part and will stay here through tomorrow and then day after next are planning on heading on down the ICW.
Chuck and Sherri, you would die if you saw this anchorage. We are literally 20' away from the boat next to us and there are light winds so everybody is just swinging too and fro. I've attached a pix so you can see what it looks like.
That basically brings you up to date and now some ruminations. First, I can't believe how busy we are and we still have no time to do anything! I can't figurethis one outand presumably that will change some once we'renot travelling as much but who knows although we are very slowly getting a little bit better organized meaning there isn't quite as much crap lying all over the place. Also, being transportationally challenged doeshave its major drawbacks. We went walking around town today looking for a grocery store (found out it's 1.5 miles away - that'll be tomorrows outing) and the hardware store stil haven't found tht but we're at least in the neighborhood for that. The other thingwe're learning is that when you're out of something, you're out of it. The other day we ran out of eggs, this am it was o.j. so you just make do w/ somehitng else instead. Just something interesting because you take all of this stuff for granted.
Well, enough for now, just checking in and will update when we can. Take care and thanks everybody for everything. We miss you and enjoy hearing from you.
