On the (nautical) Road Again!

Just couldn't wait to get on the road again! (credits to Willie Nelson).  Well after 17 months, we are back on Rumaway and off for another number of months of adventure.

We arrived in Norfolk VA to see her out of the water for hull paint and various prep work at the Atlantic Yacht Basin storage yard in Chesapeake VA.  After launching 2 days later, the work for us started. The boat had been winterized last December to prepare for the short cold spells that can develop here, and that also means that all of the systems needed to be recommissioned.  The first priority was AC as it was close to 90 when we arrived. Second priority was water systems and refrigeration.

We moved aboard the day after the AC was commissioned and started the cleaning.  Although in covered storage the exterior of the boat was very dirty of course and required nearly two days of cleaning. The bigger concern was the interior, as it is such a humid climate here in the summer, and after two summers storage we wondered how much mildew would have developed and if that dreaded musty aroma had set up.  We had dehumidifiers running fore and aft though, and we had vacuum bagged all the bedding etc, so it all came thru not too badly. Judy cleaned the interior thoroughly and only a couple of pillows needed to be disposed of.  

After the boat was clean Greg could tackle the commissioning of the main engines, generator, and various other things like bimini canvas install.  While this was going on, we also required two 8D batteries (if you don't know what these are, they weigh 135 lbs each) and fuel filter changes.  We made sure to take advantage of a refreshing beverage at the end of the day. 

Living on a boat that is going thru all this is somewhat like living in a house being renovated. There were certainly some fun moments though.  Every hour, with the opening of the bridge and lock just adjacent, we were treated to a boat parade.

The exterior work was done in 5 days, including some sanding prep  and we then moved the boat back into the shed for a couple of days of varnish work, out of the sun.

So 10 days after arriving in Norfolk we were ready to depart. Our first days run was an easy 2 hours north on the Elizabeth River, into Norfolk harbor.  This would be our fifth time thru Norfolk by boat, but we had always been on a mission to get somewhere, and never stopped. Only wanting to do a short run for a first day, this seemed like the ideal time to actually stop and enjoy the city.  And are we ever glad we did.

Norfolk has a wonderful waterside development area which fronts the marina, and a riverside trail called the Cannonball trail, in recognition of the British bombardment of 1776.  We rode our bikes along the trail in the morning and after lunch visited the Chrysler museum, which is spectacular for a city of this size.  Named in honour of Walter Chrysler who donated an extensive collection of art and particularly glass and tiffany glass, the museum is the largest art gallery in the south andhas over 10,000 pieces.  There are also paintings by classic artists such as Degas, Monet, Renoir, Gauguin etc.

We were even treated to a brief concert on a beautiful piece of artwork itself, a piano from the late 1800s;  We utilized the light rail line to get there and back, which was spotless.  

Norfolk is the worlds largest naval station, and is home to 6 aircraft carriers, among the 75 ships that call the base home.  So it is hard to be out of the sight of any large warship while in Norfolk harbor, and we could see a number in the service yards from our dock location.  

After a week of cooking on the boat Judy was due for a night off so we celebrated with dinner at Grain, a rooftop spot with over 100 craft beers on tap, and great view over Norfolk harbour.  

We also discovered that there are a number of other things to see in Norfolk, but will keep those for our next trip south,  We plan to spend October in Chesapeake Bay, working our way up the western shore and back down the eastern shore.  We spent some time in the Bay 2 years ago and realized just how much there is to see.  Also, insurance requirements dictate that we we cant go south (past Beaufort NC) until the end of hurricane season in early November.  

Looking forward to updating you on our travels periodically.