Reedville to Deltaville to Norfolk

12/06/11

Fishing boat in Jackson Creek, Deltaville

Had a good sail from Reedville to Deltaville in 15-20 N wind.  A little choppy but swift.  Anchored up Jackson Creek where it was quite protected from the south wind that night.  Decided to wait a day for another north wind.  Sunny and warm enough to sit out in the cockpit for lunch and to air out the boat.  Cooked up some grub for the next few days:  brown rice, broccoli and carrots, tofu.  Did you know that leftover turkey gravy with curry powder and yogurt is not too bad?

The fresh water pressure pump was running more than it should, even when we weren’t using the faucet.  Also the bilge pump ran a couple of times unexpectedly.  (Is the bilge pump running ever expected?)  Turns out the hot water tank has a leak.  We rarely use the hot water tank heating elements as the motor heats the water when it runs.  Decided to only turn on the fresh water pump for a few seconds when we need water from the faucet until we can sort this out.  Not a problem. 

Wolf Trap Lighthouse

Sumo Wrestler Cranes

On Saturday, we sailed to Norfolk/Portsmouth.  Up early and caught a 15-20 NE wind with higher gusts all morning.  A bit choppy.  Great sail averaging 7.5 to 8.0 knots for a while.  Dave was pleased.  Around noon the wind died down to 5 knots so had to motor the last three hours.  Darn.  Filled water tank and emptied hold.  Anchored just off Hospital Point where we’d anchored in the spring. 

Port of Norfolk

The next morning we motored a quarter mile to the free Portsmouth city dock at the foot of High Street.  (Norfolk sits on the east side of the Elizabeth River and Portsmouth sits on the west side.)  Met Bob at Mile Marker Zero Marine Supply who kindly shuttled us to the laundromat and Lion King for groceries.  Thanked him with a bottle of Kendall-Jackson chardonnay – a taste of Sonoma County – which he appreciated.

Sunrise at the Portsmouth slip

Looking at Mile Marker Zero Marine Supply in glass building

Portsmouth is a city trying to reinvent itself, and given the recession, fairly successfully.  It is a blend of the funky and nice.  True, down-and-out types wander around, but the vibrancy of a place where people who care and are trying to make it better is visible.  The vintage homes in the Old Town are quite beautiful yet somewhat understated (which we like) compared to the opulent homes in other places.  Lots of little restaurants along High Street.  We liked The Coffee Shop that has the best chipotle breakfast wraps plus wi-fi.  Dave found the coffee gazebo across the street and communed with the locals yesterday morn.

 Now it’s off to the Dismal Swamp. 

Dismal Swamp, here we come!  Yippee!