TIME TO GO
May 6, 2012
Ok, so we have been here long enough that we know our way around the area without the gps. Of the three boats here that we have gotten to know, one of them, S/V Intrepid, is a boat with whom we sailed the Abacos. It was good to learn this is their home marina. Another boat, S/V Willet, is one that we met by radio after having done part of the AIWW south of here. We actually met the crew when we both took slips here who left this morning. He was a Corpsman in Vietnam and we had much to discus. They are heading north toward their home port in New Jersey. A boat just arrived late yesterday that we think we met in the islands two years ago. They plan to leave today heading to their home port in Baltimore. It appears that we are still ahead of the explorers heading north for the summer. Most, if not all we have met are heading north to home ports.
That brings us to our departure. We thought we would leave Wednesday but the forecast calls for a 50% chance for rain that day. We might delay by one day, or not. Of course, Scurv gets half a vote on the idea. The Chesapeake phase will be different than the ICW days getting here. Literally, we will take the next month or so exploring those places suggested to us by “locals”. The list grows daily.
It is curious to us how ones perspective changes when first deciding to stay for a month in one place then when the time draws near to leave. The longer in a slip, the more “settled” the boat gets to the point that the cabin is rearranged into a more home like configuration. When the departure date approaches, stuff starts to be stowed for sea. That stack of guides, books and magazines won’t ride there underway. So, do something with them. The stowed charts and instruments materialize as tools, kitchen stuff and other items find their way back in their proper sea space. Hopefully, the cabin rug will dry before departure lest the perfect mold machine populates the cabin with fuzzy spots. The last load of laundry and the provisions become a priority. It is sort of like prepping for a trip that has an indeterminate end date. Scurv starts to relish his “dirt trips” since he does not realize that there are more to come elsewhere.
Whilst taking Scurv on a dirt trip, we were selected by a tiny tick. Scurv talked it into chewing on me. After all such parasites that have called me “home” over the years, why is it that this one is causing paranoia? Did that one tick qualify as the golden BB? Anyway, I am wondering if the blue stuff we squirt down Scurv’s back will work on humans.

Picture is of the Portsmouth waterfront looking at Norfolk waterfront