Day 3




Rising at 6:30am, we each had our turn sharing the washroom facilities. John prepared breakfast, which consisted of scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, juice and coffee. After clearing away the cooking utensils, we prepared to cast off and find fuel. Since we had struck out twice yesterday finding a marina with fuel, a couple phone calls netted us the information we needed. Just 5 miles south was a marina that was opening at 9am. Wonder why we didn’t find that one last night instead of the abandoned Navy training base?



We fueled up and by 10:45am we headed out on our route to Hampton, VA, about 75 miles south. When leaving the marina we followed the marked channel under the bridge and found ourselves in 2.6 feet of water – that’s about 31 inches and I think the boat draws 36 inches. Fortunately the current was going our way so we drifted about 100 yards until the depth reached 4 feet before putting the boat in gear and inching forward into deeper water.



It was raining and small craft warnings were still in effect, but the 4-5 foot seas were in our favor, either quartering or following, unlike yesterday when they were head-on. So we tossed and turned, but instead of pounding over every wave we were actually able to surf a lot of the waves. After 4 hours of up and down, side to side, and dodging hundreds of crab pots, we turned into the channel to Hampton and hailed Bluewater Marina on VHF 16. We were familiar with this marina since we needed repairs to the boat when we were here 4 years ago on our trip from Charleston to Philadelphia. After fueling, we “decide to have dinner at the Bluewater Restaurant. Good choice, as I wasn’t looking forward to another meal of bratwurst and PBJ sandwiches. When the waitress brings the check, Shirl hands her his card to pay for the meal. A few minutes later she returns and gives the card back and says to him, “This is your drivers license. I tried to swipe it but it didn’t work. I thought maybe Pennsylvania used drivers’ licenses for credit cards.”



We decide to stay here for the night and head off on the ½ mile walk to the grocery store to replenish our staples. Shirl sets a grueling pace and leaves Will and I far behind. He walks regulars at home in addition to coaching by his personal fitness trainer. I’m impressed!



Tomorrow we start Mile 0 of the ICW.