[Ed.note: Days 123-127 summarized from original blog.]
Wed.Jul.1/Day 123: Marg: Yesterday was a long day and the final 10 mile leg into Norfolk was intense, navigating through a maze of huge naval operations, commercial/industrial operations, boats including pleasure craft, barges, cargo ships, navy vessels, harbor pilot boats, harbor cruise boats, plus 3 automated railroad bridges and constant radio chatter. We were fortunately able to follow a couple of boats heading to the same marina as us. We've since learned that this is considered the busiest section of the AICW on the East coast. Baking scones should help.
Rob: It was indeed the most fatiguing day to-date: we left at 06:10 so we could be at the lock opening at 08:30 - they only open 4 times daily, with a speed limit of 6mph and 22 miles long takes at least 4hrs – don’t want to miss the last/3:30 one, or would be stuck overnight there. So made it for the second lock at 1:30. The trip was spectacular - narrow, lush, forested, peaceful [except for the highway traffic for the first few miles along the shore, mostly hidden by the trees though]. The depth is 5-9 ft and there was lots of debris - we had 5 'clunks' from likely wood pieces/trunks that were not on the water surface, but fortunately had no damage [so far]. Those last miles into Norfolk was like running a gauntlet – but after 10 hrs, we arrived at the Waterside Marina.
Spent the day on maintenance: replacing genset battery isolator switch and the one for the House Battery Switch broke and the Davit switch too!! Used the Genset one for the House switch, jerry rigging the genset’s, and disconnected the davits, until replacements can be ordered. TSM severe hit just as finished and extra line adjusting needed to stop bow blowing into boat beside us.
Thurs.Jul.2/Day 124: Wx sunny, warm. Marina new, only transients here, right downtown, with couple of restaurants [masking mandated but not followed]; well-maintained with great staff. Lots of commercial boat traffic going by, with Naval repair yards directly across from us [see photos], patrolled by police boats. Covid rules lightening up now; Uber took Marg to Harris Teeter grocery store, and everyone masked.
Replaced shore power cord cover; added coolant to stbd engine. Confirmed reservations at York River Y.Haven.
Fri.Jul.3/Day 125: wx same hot, 76/95, winds 5-10, sunny. Considered travel options due to Covid, through to the 1000 Is. Reserved car in Yorktown. Marg washed windows. Changed fuel filter on genset; cleaned aft deck area.
Sat.Jul.4/Day 126:
wx overcast, 71/87, winds 11mph. Confirmed stays at Ingram Bay, and Solomons. A gold looper Defever 48’, Inshallah, docked last night and we had great chat with them [he is elect.engineer and she was in hospice, now stewardess]. Admiral reported Uber to Harris Teeter and found their 2nd floor wine store. She noted the 246’ Belle Vita was now docked here [was at Fernandina]. I cleaned fenders and coated with ArmorAll. Had to reboot battery charger again.
Sun.Jul.5/Day 127: wx 73/90, partial sun, winds 1-9. Several photos, day and night ones, of boats and the naval yards, and ourselves. The Admirals Desk reported on food offerings! I worked on the Holding Tank monitor external installation; also continued trying to clean the power cord. Leave for York R. tomorrow.
Comments:
Dd - 2 Jul 2020: Isn’t it romantic to have a boat?? What a scary day!! Love and hugs
Jerry - 2 Jul 2020: Rob, New York in our experience (3 times) is significantly more crowded with commercial ships than tidewater Virginia. The numerous ferries crossing in front of you in a swift current will keep you on your toes. So be prepared.
Robert & Margaret - 3 Jul 2020: Jerry, thanks for the 'warning' and advice. Will try and be better prepared once there.
Ernie R - 3 Jul 2020: Glad to see you post something on the looper blog! About time you started providing everyone valuable information! Would it not be easier to use the engine room cameras to check fluids/etc? Although good exercise lifting sofa! From pictures it would appear that the dingy is wrapped/ strapped/covered to withstand a level 5 gale, so how does it get water in it?! Speaking of the dingy, why don’t you take a tour of the naval yard (with good close up pictures of ships) and you could post them for all of us! Bet the patrol boats could provide valuable local knowledge! Be safe!
Robert & Margaret - 4 Jul 2020: Ha Ha Ha. Cute. Always enjoy your humorous interpretations.
Robert & Margaret - 4 Jul 2020: I actually asked the patrol boat captain, who keeps the boat at this marina, if we could get closer? He asked, " did that guy Rivard put you up to this?" He ought to be hung from the main mast for awhile to help him stop making these treasonous suggestions to unsuspecting newbies!"
Ernie R - 5 Jul 2020: No fireworks?!! You would think a Navy yard would have some! Be safe
Ernie R - 6 Jul 2020: Rob, judging from the last picture in the engine room is it possible that your elbo simply went to sleep while you were taking nap in engine room?!!! Just trying to help! Be safe!
Dd - 6 Jul 2020: LoL