Summing up

Time for a little reflection. We've been at this for three weeks or so, and completed the Chesapeake part of the trip. The spectrum of emotions has crossed from "I want to quit right now" to "this totally rocks and I could do it forever". It all ends up with being about 80 percent positive overall, so we'll press on. Besides, it's early in the season as one coach said.
We've been off the boat for a few days while some engine work is underway, and we're itching already to get back and continue the journey. When I look back over the people we met, the places we visited and the experiences logged it has been great - amazing really. Adjusting to a new pace of life, letting go and not having as much control over basic things that we take for granted on land has been eye-opening to say the least. We're on land right now, and having hot water, endless wifi and plenty of arm space is soooo cool. Who'd of thought?
We're planning now for the next phase through North Carolina and further, and itching even more to get back to moving on. The picture shows our major stops so far for the Chesapeake portion.

Portsmouth

We've been settled in Portsmouth for a few days, rented a car to go see family, and are still here awaiting some engine work. The trip down from Deltaville was good, and we saw our first dolphins. They're in the picture, just squint a little more... A little more...
Passing through Hampton Roads was busy. Lots of Navy and commercial ships going to and for at a rapid clip. All hands on deck and all that, keeping an eye out.
This afternoon was a trip to the beach, which was a nice break. We stopped at the store for some planting material for a home schooling project (yes, we're famers too) and tomorrow is a tour of the power plant that makes electricity by burning waste which is also another homeschooling project.
Hopefully we'll be out by the end of the week, once the transmission has been touched up a bit. Until then...

Fishing Bay

We're nestled into Fishing Bay, prepping for a run to Hampton tomorrow.  A front came through the last few days so we caught up on projects, schooling and groceries.  Staying in Deltaville marina for one night proved to be a great idea. We did laundry, used the courtesy car for a produce run and took advantage of the hot showers.  The plus was that The previous evening was the slip holder picnic, which included crabs and beer. We were invited to attend even though we were not staying until the next nite....ummm, ok, crabs and beer it is.  What nice people at the marina and the boat owners were a fun group to talk to. The extra plus was the following day when we did stay in the marina there was still leftover beer.  And it was Sunday.  Which means football.  A great day, and the kids camped in the lounge for a wifi session that would make the Olympic wifi team.

We did some dinghy sailing today, and enjoyed the protection of the bay.  On the road tomorrow for our last long sail before the intercostal waterway.  The bike picture is from Solomons, on our way to the museum.

Now the words for the pictures below...

> We've had the full experience the last three days, to include a blustery day, a visit to Solomons Isle and then another great sail to Tangier Island.
> We departed to Solomons on a day that promised a nice north wind and a front coming through, but with 5-10 knots of wind. Great, lets go! Well, by the time we hit the bay proper, the winds were 10-15 knots with gusts to 20 we think, some rain and cloud cover, and 4-8 foot waves. The toll on the boat was one bent stainless steel rod that held our dingy, one broken cleat (made of plastic, and not worthy of keeping anyway so no big loss) and a broken wisker pole (again, old and too small for our boat and we knew it). The toll on the crew were a few frayed nerves as the autopilot could not keep up with the following waves and downind blast we were on. We did make record time to Solomons and the crab dinner erased all the day's woes (with help from a few pints as well).
> We spent a fabulous day in Solomons at the maritime museum, biking there and to the store for fresh produce. The hot showers removed all memory of the previous day's sail, and so the next day we departed for Tangier Island, something always on our list of places to visit. We sailed 35 miles on a perfect day of sun and a good wind for half the trip.
> We settled in Tangier for a day or two to explore and take in the sights. We've already had the required crab dinner one evening at Hilda Crocketts. The dinner was served family style, and we were the last to arrive before closing. We were seated with three others couples, one of whom were newlyweds. Food was served from big bowls and passed around to all for an endless supply of crab cakes, clam fritters, corn pudding, green beans, slaw, pickled beets, fresh bread, applesauce and pound cake. All washed down with tea. Needless to say, we're full. burp.
> The photos above are from Tangier. Lots of cats around, even at the firehouse. The birds also enjoy the use of the island, and the tourists invade for a few hours when the ferries arrive. It's nice in the evening when they've all left and you can listen to the locals talk to each other in their dialect.
> We departed Tangier and had another nice sail back across the bay to Deltaville, Va. We're still adjusting to walking great distances for things after the nice closeness of Tangier.

Solomons Isle and Tangier Island

Departure

Well we made it out today. It finally happened, and it was a good sailing day as well. Nice 10 knot winds, clear and cool. It was a clean departure, and thanks to our boat neighbors for the photo of us leaving the dock. The sunset is in full showmanship right now, so I added a pic of that as I sit here typing. We're moving on again tomorrow and then may take a day or two to relax. More in a few days.

Farewell Party

Wow, what a great day! We had our farewell event and all our neighbors and friends were there to say goodbye. The weather was fine, the company great and an overall success... except for the cut finger during the renaming ceremony. Yes, we had a renaming ceremony to make it complete and appease the gods of the sea and wind and all went well until I smashed the 18 year old bottle of our wedding champagne on the bow and glass managed to find itself everywhere. It was just a flesh wound...

Thanks so much to all our great friends. A special thanks to Angie, Betsy, Tim, Hank Billy and Rod for the helping hands. We'll be shoving off in about a week and will take the great memories with us.