Prelude to the Great Loop

What a week! We're now in Norfolk VA at Waterside Marina. This is where the Rendezvous is being held. It really seems surreal being here parked among all these boats. It's hard to believe that we are really doing this! We look over the marina and see our boat packed in side by side with all these others and realize that our dream is really coming true. NautiNell stands tall and proud!

This week has consisted of really stepping out of our comfort zone. We had become "comfortable" on NautiNell sitting at the dock in Smith Point. We needed to gather up what confidence we had and begin our trip south about 70 miles to Norfolk.

We had planned to leave early Tuesday morning. However, Mike had checked the generator the day before and found that the impeller needed to be replaced. He fixed that Tuesday morning. After packing up everything and saying our goodbyes to Dan and Jeanne, we set out about the "crack" of noon. It was a beautiful day with hardly any wind. It was a perfect day for us to set out. We were finally starting our adventure. After months of planning and weeks of working, we were finally on our way.

Nervous! - but on our way!

We made it to Fishing Bay about halfway to Norfolk and dropped anchor. This was really going to be a test - staying on anchor! Mike and I have always preferred to anchor out rather than stay in the dock; but this was a lot different than being at TableRock Lake! It was a beautiful area and we toasted a magnificent sunset. Stepping out of your comfort zone can be very rewarding!

The next morning we awoke to seagulls and a beautiful sunrise. Still enjoying the morning, Mike started the engines. Well; that is, he tried. Only one of the engines would start. After much troubleshooting, Mike remembered that this had happened before and that he had to start them from the flybridge. Bingo, bango! They started! (However, I should say that we probably have the cleanest battery terminals around now.)HA! We finally were able to leave about 10:00 a.m. Another beautiful day with hardly any wind. We couldn't have asked for better weather the last two days. Now NautiNell isn't what they call a fast boat. We've found that the most economical speed is about 6-7 knots. It will go faster; but with the cost of diesel these days, we decided what the hurry..... So, we had expected to arrive at Norfolk around 3:00 p.m. We arrived at 5:30 p.m. No big deal....

Now arriving at Norfolk was a little disconcerting. We saw several black hawk helicopters flying overhead along with military jets. There were warships and a destroyer. We even saw a boat being towed by a helicopter. Hard to say what that was all about. Training exercise?? Anyway, we felt VERY SMALL! Finally we had to give way to a Russian freighter! She was bigger and definitely faster. No problem, Captain!

After finally making our way through the traffic, we arrived at Waterside Marina. This place is great. It is right in downtown Norfolk on the Elizabeth River. Parking the boat was a challenge. Everything is a little tight. Mike did a good job. Didn't even leave a mark on the boat next to us - when he bumped it! Hey, we're rookies at this! Of course, there was an audience too. A lot of the loopers were already here and it was right in the middle of their happy hour! The one good thing was that once we were settled - it was still happy hour! Loopers are really big on their happy hours. LOL

We spent most of yesterday checking out the area and just relaxing. We had lunch at Snappers and walked around the park that runs along the marina. We also hired someone to fix our eising glass. They came and picked up our canvas and should be bringing it back Saturday. Hope so! As the day went by, more and more loopers arrived. We've heard that there are over 200 registered for the Rendezvous. At least 30 boats should be here. It should be interesting and a lot of fun!

This morning was a little cool. Mike spent alot of time out visiting our boating neighbors. We walked over to the Mall area. I think I'll go back tomorrow and leave him on the boat. He's not much of a shopper, you know.

Everyday and evening there are dinner cruises that leave out of here. Along with huge sailboats and barges, they make quite a sight to watch. This evening we sat on our boat and listened to a band playing in the park. They also held sailboat races on the river. Not real exciting to watch - speed is not the issue here - but the boats were pretty and very graceful. The park was having a festival called "Bubbles and Bluejeans". It was a wine tasting gala. We walked around the park but didn't partake in the wine.

Now, it's late Friday evening. Mike has gone to bed. I'm sitting here still trying to absorb everything and to grasp the fact that this is really happening. We are truly blessed.

Until next time!

Admiral "C"