Day 156 - Chesapeake, VA

Today is Monday, August 29th, and we returned to the boat yesterday afternoon to find no damage!  However, the water level was really high and we had to walk through about 6 inches of water in order to get to the walkway to the boat. Then the boat had risen so high that we had to climb aboard via the swim platform in the back.  The top of the boat came very close to hitting the roof of this boatshed.  The water level is starting to go down now fortunately.

We spent 2 nights at the Marriott TownePlace Suites and Saturday we experienced the full impact of the hurricane as it poured constantly all day and the wind was very strong.  Of course we stayed in the room all day watching the news.  We ventured outside once or twice to the covered porch but it was too bad to stay out more than a couple of minutes.  On Sunday morning we took a walk around the hotel and saw a number of trees down as well as part of the roof torn off the Red Roof Inn next door.  It could have been a lot worse but it had downgraded to a category l.

We'd like to leave tomorrow but found out that the locks right next to the Great Bridge have electrical damage caused by the hurricane and they don't know when they will be fixed.  Great Bridge is right outside this marina and to head north we have to go through it and then the locks.  We've decided to go to Norfolk which is only 12 miles away and spend a couple of days there before venturing into the Chesapeake Bay.  Hopefully, we can leave soon.  We rode our bikes to the grocery store today and picked up a few items we could fit into our backpacks so we're prepared to leave.

Day 153 - Chesapeake, VA

After talking with the manager of the marina boatyard, we made the decision to leave the boat and check into a hotel.  We're at the Marriott TownePlace Suites for the week-end and feel good about our decision.  We spent the afternoon here and then decided to get a cab over to the local mall and then walked across the street to the Olive Garden for dinner.  It's 8:00 PM and so far so good.  Nothing has happened yet but we're hunkered down here for the duration.  The hotel has given everyone a list of what to expect in the event it's really bad.  I'll be sure to update the blog after it's all over.  Today is our 45th wedding anniversary - what a way to celebrate!

Day 152 - Atlantic Yacht Basin

Watching all the boats coming in today has been amazing - all sizes and types.  We heard today that the Navy has removed all the big ships out of Norfolk which is 12 miles north of us.  We've been able to attach a little cable we bought at Wal-Mart and have been able to get a number of channels so we can keep up with the hurricane tracking information.  We haven't decided whether or not we're staying with the boat and will make that decision tomorrow but after talking with a number of people here at the marina, they have been through this before and think we'll be safe if we stay on board.  I have to say I'm a little scared because I've never been through anything like this before.  I need to get to the store and stock up on wine!!

This is a very historic area and if possible, I'd like to get out and explore.  We're in the town of Chesapeake but also it's the area referred to as Great Bridge.  There was a major Revolutionary War battle here and it actually was such a significant battle that it was the end of the war.  Hopefully, we'll be able to do some sightseeing after this is all over.

Day 151 Atlantic Yacht Basin -Chesapeake, VA

We left Alligator River Marina and decided to go all the way to Atlantic Yacht Basin to be sure and get a space to hang out until the hurricane is over.  Apparently everyone else has the same idea because they told us they were expecting about 60 more boats in the next day or so.  It was a long day but we arrived about 6:30 PM and they put us in a covered shed with 3 boats in front of us and room for another 2 behind us.  It's like a 3 sided shed so we feel pretty safe here.  Unfortunately we can't get any TV or radio so it's just the two of us.  We have a few days before this storm arrives so we'll ride our bikes around the area and check it out but I think it's going to be pretty boring.  I could never keep our boat here permanently because I'm already claustrophobic!  If it appears to be unsafe to stay here, we'll get out and find a place to stay.

I just learned that the hurricane is headed for Norfolk and that's just 12 miles from here so we may have to rethink staying on the boat.  At least we have a couple of days to figure it out.  More later......

Days 149-150 Dowry Creek Marina to Alligator River Marina

Mike was able to repair the engine which saved us time as well as money.  I keep telling him that I can now refer to him as "Mr. Fix-It" as he's getting pretty good as repairs.  My dad was so good as repairing anything that Mike asked me if he could now be called Keith.  I told him unfortunately he has a long way to go before that happens.

We were able to leave Dowry Creek Marina near Belhaven, N.C. and arrive here at a very small place called Alligator Creek Marina.  We passed through a wildlife refuge today where there are actually bears as well as alligators.  It felt as if we were the only people on earth today as we never even saw another boat.  It was so isolated.   We just found out about the hurricane yesterday so we are quickly heading north to get to the Atlantic Yacht Basin in Virginia where we plan to hunker down and ride out the storm.  We expect to get there on Thursday so should have plenty of time to prepare.  Hopefully it won't be too bad.  We didn't even know about the earthquake in the Washington DC area and of course didn't feel anything being on the water.  What's happening with the weather?

Days 146-148 Oriental NC to Belhaven NC

We left Beaufort on Friday morning and timed it so we only had to wait about 15 minutes for the lift bridge to open.  We had a short but enjoyable cruise to Oriental, NC hoping to tie up to the free dock but there was already a boat there and not enough room for us.  Right next to the free dock was the Oriental Inn and Marina which is quite small but very nice so that's where we stayed.  The people there were very accommodating and happy to have us so we enjoyed an afternoon swim and visiting with the people on the neighboring boat.  It appeared to be where all the shrimp boats come in as there were quite a few there.

We left Oriental heading north to the town of Belhaven traveling through the Neuse River which was very wide and calm.  Actually it was very calm and we saw few other boats throughout the day.  We approached Belhaven and tried to contact the marina which looked totally out of business.  The town is so small that I wonder if you can even call it a town.  After hitting bottom and almost getting stuck, we got out of there and headed to a marina a little farther away called Dowry Creek Marina which is where we are today.  We've had a little overheating issue with the engine so Mike is trying to fix it himself but we may have to stay here until we can get a mechanic to look at it.  This place is very isolated but they have a pool so I may take a swim later today.  Hopefully, we won't be here too long.

Day 145 - Beaufort, NC

We left Carolina Beach Tuesday morning heading for Beaufort, NC (pronounced Bo-fort) and had to pass through Camp LeJeune, a USMC base where Mike did advanced training after he finished basic school back in 1968.  Fortunately they weren't doing live fire exercises because it would have delayed us for hours.  The scenery along the route was really beautiful.  There was a swing bridge opening only on the hour and as we were approaching, we saw another boat waiting.  As we got closer we saw it was some nice people we had met at Harborwalk Marina in Myrtle Beach last week.  We agreed to meet up here at Beaufort and we enjoyed a great dinner with them on Tuesday night.

This is a neat little town that is quite old and very interesting to walk through.  The marina is right on the boardwalk with lots of activity.  The only issue we've had is the singer at the restaurant right outside our door.  He has been singing until midnight and it's been impossible to sleep.  Also, the neighboring island is Carrot Island and today we saw the wild horses near the shore.  We're leaving tomorrow morning heading for Oriental, NC which is only about 25 miles. 

Day 141 - Carolina Beach, N.C.

We arrived here in Carolina Beach yesterday and decided to stay over an extra day and rest up as well as ride bikes through the town.  Also, since it's Sunday, there will be more boats on the water.  This is definitely a beach community and reminded us a lot of Port Aransas, Texas.

We were on our way to this marina yesterday when Mike saw a guy on the dock waving at him.  He thought he was being friendly and waved back.  All of a sudden, he came over the radio with "this is a no wake zone!  Please slow down!".  Well, Mike immediately slowed down as he hadn't seen the sign and was getting ready to apologize via the radio when he came on again and said "trawler trash".  We were pretty shocked but it's been a joke that we're not trailer trash but trawler trash.  Oh well......

We plan to leave tomorrow and head about 50 miles north.

Day 139 - Georgetown, SC to Myrtle Beach

We left Charleston, SC on Wednesday morning heading for Georgetown and it was a rather long day.  We thought we had a muffler problem and ended up staying over 2 nights and fortunately everything ended up OK.  Georgetown is a really cute city with a historic district right by the waterfront and I rode my bike along Front Street checking out some of the little shops.  I discovered the Kudzu Bakery and got some great bread and dessert items.  Mike and I had dinner at the Rice Paddy Restaurant which was excellent.

We left this morning and after a 6/12 hour cruise arrived at a marina near Myrtle Beach ahead of a storm. It was an interesting journey today as we encountered several swing bridges which open on request and they have to stop all traffic on both sides.  Some of the scenery along the waterway was just beautiful and the closer we got the Myrtle Beach, the more activity we saw.  This is definitely a vacation town and we encountered numerous jet skis all around us.  We'll be leaving in the morning heading north.

Day 136 Charleston

Today is Tuesday, August 9th, and I returned from New York City Sunday night.  What a trip!   Sherrie and I came up with a word we used over and over again - overwhelming!  The city is a great place to visit but we were ready to leave after 5 days.  Lauren on the other hand loved each and every moment and is ready to move there.  She's actually considering attending FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) for her 4 years of college but it's a little early to make a decision like that.

Sherrie had rented a small (or should I say tiny) apartment on 14th St. which was a 3rd floor walkup and after climbing those stairs several times a day as well as all the subway stairs, we estimated that we had climbed about 1,000 steps in the 5 days.  We started to feel like regular New Yorkers.  .  I even got yelled at on the subway by a woman whose daughter I fell against while trying to sit down because the train lurched forward.  I was speechless.

While Lauren was in class, we toured the city by the on-off bus and got to see things we would have missed on foot.  The tour guide was great and gave us many tidbits of information.  We got off and toured the ground zero sight and saw the new building going up and then took the Staten Island Ferry around the Statue of Liberty and saw the beautiful New York skyline from the water.  Mike and I will be cruising through there next year.

Of course there was plenty of shopping and eating - our favorite place is Little Italy.  Once Lauren was out of class, it was off to the boutiques and sample sales she had heard about.  This grandmother was worn out! 

The day of our departure, Lauren went with a friend and her mom to the Museum of Modern Art to see the Alexander McQueen exhibit but unfortunately the line was 31/2 - 4 hours long and she wasn't able to see it.  He was a designer who committed suicide last year.  Mike just read that it was the most popular exhibit they have ever had.

Now it's back to reality and we're leaving Charleston tomorrow morning.  Our first stop will be Georgetown, SC about 65 miles north.