It is Friday August 31, 2009, after nearly the entire summer, Hullabaloo is floating in the water again. Dave and Wendy (Elysium) rode with us on the four hour trip to Portsmouth. There she sat in all her repaired glory, no more holes in the hull or dings in the fiberglass. After a thorough check of repairs they put her in the sling and kerplopped her in the Elizabeth River. Port engine fired right up beautifully, you can barely even hear it run. Starboard side, not so much. Rrrr ...Rrrr... Rrrr...nothing. Then they found a bent water pump pulley on the port side. Let me tell you; when it rains it pours. Got a new starter for the SB side, but the pulley was out of stock have to have it shipped, of course. Thankfully the marina was only 500 yards up the creek and we moved her over there to await parts. The marina was very nice, and the best part it was comp-ed by the yard.
We refreshed the fresh water system and started the fridge, another malfunction, then the hot water heater coil went kablooey. Boats just hate to sit, after her 14 week stay in Virginia, she was showing her displeasure. Three days later the pulley was installed and the fridge working, the parts for the water heater would have to wait til home. As with all things sailing, never - never have a schedule because the winds will not cooperate with any calendar. North winds rushed down the Chesapeake Bay at 15-20 on the nose, but it was time to go.
We motored over to Cape Charles at the tip of Virginia's eastern shore, a quaint, historic town on its way to recovery. Anchored off the Bayside Marina we had gorgeous views of the sunsets. There is a nice pub called Kelly's in town with an amazing selection of specialty brews. It is a small town with small town ideals, and everyone knows we aren't from around there. They were pleasant, but not crazy friendly like some of the other waterfront towns. We hung there two nights waiting for the winds to settle a bit. Then we headed back into the washing machine, northward bound. Next stop, Onancock, not too far a sail, but another rough day on the bay. Five to seven foot waves with just a 1-2 second interval. Somebody pass the barf bucket around.
Onancock has a split personality, fishing village and majestic historic neighborhood. The shopping district is a quick walk from the anchorage, they have a gourmet deli and a bakery. The locals are helpful and considerate as we toured the town with two of the kids and the rascally dog. Who, I am told, must be dyslexic, because he thinks he is a god (lol). We got milk, ice and beer, so we are all set for the next jaunt.
Saturday winds were much lighter in the afternoon, so after we finished school we headed back to the western shore. We made it all the way to Solomon's Island, which in reality is not an island at all. We called friends with a pier and had electricity for the evening then they served us a huge breakfast in the morning. They had a ton of kids over for the holidays so my children were thrilled to play in the yard and the wading pool. Needless to say they did not want to leave. We got a much needed freshwater washdown and then moved just around the corner, closer to town to hang out and relax for a couple days. Colton and Darby jumped and swam off the back of the boat. A 3' brown water snake swam by with barely a notice from the kids. We walked to Woodburn's grocery and loaded up. Brian and Lisa came by that afternoon and we grilled out and talked until late. Hullabaloo is a great place to spend time with friends, the hours just zing by and we love the company.
By now we have dallied more than our allotted one-week time, not that we have to rush back for work, but Brie was missing us (aka: running out of food). So we took off from Solomon's early in the morning at headed towards the South River. The Bay was packed with sailboats, racing or cruising, this is Labor Day weekend after all. It was a great day and we actually busted out the sails for a bit - glorious. Jim and Luann met us that evening for another happy hour. We talked about old times, hydrated and ate up the delicious steamed shrimp Lisa had brought over. It was another quiet night and early morning as we headed out on our last leg. Past the mouth of the Severn, under the Bay Bridge then hang a portside turn into the Magothy. I counted 28 boats heading out of the river as we were heading in. Once we cleared the traffic at Dobbins Island, it was smooth, nearly solitary, sailing. It was interesting to see the creek from the water, Hullabaloo had not been this way for 11 months. Before our winter experience - ten days on the boat would have been a huge deal, now it was a piece of cake. It was good to be home with a washer and dryer and king size bed, but sadly this adventure has ended. Now the question is...what's next?