News from Norfolk

Liam — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:36:22 +0000

IT has been a long time since the last post. we left Annapolis, MD for the seasonal (but gorgeous) Solomon islands,MD where we were on the steady anchor. Dad and I went looking for surfaced wrecks; we did only find one a little rotting dory or row boat. It was a mold-covered, but a neat rotting hulk. After the Solomon Islands we left for Deltaville. The next morning we headed of in the direction of Deltaville, VA. It was blowing and rolling our 42 foot sail b0at so we put up the head sail for more stability after we went around the corner of the land, so to speak, to stabilize us on those rock’in and rolling waves. We were not having a great time. The object of that day was not to go overboard while hurling, but thankfully no one went overboard and none of us hurled ( but we were holding it down though.) The main part was getting in to shore that day. It was bumpy, literally. When we were going into the shallow channel we went STOP!!! in the sand. Dad put Seazen in full reverse and we got in the sand again by turning a little to the left. I realized that the numbers on the markers made sense that they were all one channel, not two separate channels like mom and dad thought they were and I could help them out to get in the right channel. The channel was surrounded by sandbars. We were headed between two markers favoring the green like the cruising guide said and we hit again. We went more to the middle and were safe for the rest of the channel. Finally, we anchored and were safe for another night.The next day we sailed from Deltaville to Norfolk ,VA. A highlight of my trip was sailing down battleship row along the navy station. We saw many ships like aircraft carriers and destroyers, cargo ships and what not and some ships I could not identify. Then we got to the place we were going to stay at, Portsmouth Boating Center across the river from Norfolk. When we got there the first thing we did was walk Luna and then plug in to shore power. THAT’S A BIG DEAL FOR ME because we never plug in becuse we are always anchoring or at a mooring. This time we got a slip. The next day was also a BIG DEAL because I was going to Nauticus, the biggest marine and nautical museum in the country. They had sharks and rays, eels, fish of all different shapes and sizes, a submarine pilot training machine, simulators, a pirate history special exhibit, and my favorite, THE USS WISCONSIN (BB-64) the only Iowa-class battle ship still in working order. She had 8.9 millimeter guns capable of launching a shell that weighed as much as a Volkswagen Bug 30 miles away and the shell made a crater 50 ft by 50 ft and it could shatter reinforced concentrate. I loved that place! It is a must go. We wanted to eat out that night and we went all around town trying to find something local like oysters or salmon. We finally found this place called Snappers in a little section of town. The food was great. Oysters, oysters, and oysters! It was an indulgence of oysters. It was awesome.! After dinner right outside the restaurant, there was this parade of light which was also cool. I will put up a video of it. Then after it was over we had to go home to the boat and we had to take the ferry and when we got to the ferry landing we were surrounded by people bustling to get home and it was a 1 and half hour wait in the line. When we got across to the other landing we had to call a cab to drive us to the boatyard. When we finally got there I went to bed and was OUT!!!!!

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News from Norfolk