Day 159 - Norfolk, VA

Today is Thursday, September 1st and it was a whirlwind trip yesterday getting here to the Waterside Marina in Norfolk.  We had been sitting around in that dark boatshed for days waiting for news that the lock was going to open and decided to have the men at the boatyard move the boat behind us so that in the event we could go, we would be ready.  Our intention was to have time to get a pumpout before leaving and to be in the position to go when we found out we could.  Then as they were moving the boat behind us, we were told the lock was going to open only for a short window of time and if we wanted to go, we'd better take advantage and get out of there.

Usually before departing there are a number of items to check off the list but we didn't have time to do anything!  We headed for the bridge opening and then into the lock with about 6 other boats.  Mike forgot to turn on the bow thruster and I didn't do a checklist of items in the cabin.  He was able to run down and turn on the thruster but I forgot the vase of flowers and when we arrived, of course they had overturned with water everywhere.

It was a stressful day and the short trip to Norfolk reminded me of the industrial Texas and Louisiana stretch of the intracoastal - heavy industry and barge traffic.  Fortunately it was only 12 miles and we arrived safely.  Today we need to go to the marina across the canal for a pumpout as the one here was damaged by Hurricane Irene.  Sightseeing is on the agenda as well.  This is the same marina where the rendezvous was held in May so we've been here before however, the marina was full then of boats heading north to Canada.  This time the marina is almost empty.  We started our journey at a different time than most people doing the Great Loop as usually it's a one year trip.  Our intent was to take two years so I guess we'll catch up next spring. 

We're going to spend the winter months at a marina in the Chesapeake somewhere and take short side trips rather than turn around and go back to Florida which has been recommended to us.  I have no desire to do that and neither does Mike so we'll just stay up here and see the sights in the winter months.  Our daughter Sherrie lives in Bethesda so since it's so close I'm sure we'll plan several trips there as well as other trips around the area.  At least we'll have no more long days of 8-10 hours on the water for a long time.