Second Wind on the Great Loop and Beyond

Saturday May 12 thru Tuesday May 15. We’ve now finished the ICW and are enjoying sunny but windy weather on the Chesapeake Bay. Talk about a study in contrasts! On Saturday we left the quiet solitude of the Dismal Swamp and immediately entered the huge industrial and Naval shipping lanes of Norfolk. We encountered our first water skiers (in very cold water!) just before we started going under a series of railroad bridges, shown in the pictures. Navy ships in storage, container ships, and cranes lined both shores, and boats were everywhere. Plenty of restaurants, shops, and sightseeing were convenient from the Waterside Marina in Norfolk, where we stayed with Loopers. Jane and I (Happy Destiny) celebrated Mother’s Day with brunch, a pedicure, and a shopping spree at the nearby MacArthur Mall. A group of Loopers took a short water taxi ride across the river to Portsmouth, where we enjoyed Mexican dinner.

Monday’s weather promised fair winds with the threat of deteriorating weather Tuesday, so several of us (Lola Marie, Happy Destiny, Sandpiper) headed out for our first leg of travel on the Chesapeake. All of us, plus newly met Loopers Mike and Jeannie (Jeannie Marie), are staying at Doziers Regatta Point Marina in Deltaville, VA. At cocktails aboard Sandpiper Monday evening, Jack and Craig (his wife) Dozier joined our party. The Doziers publish the wonderful Waterway Guide series that have brought us here safely and soundly. Deltaville is their home, and their marina is one of the most boater friendly places we’ve stayed so far. The “office” looks like a lovely southern home -- shaded front porch lined with rocking chairs. Great restrooms and showers. They arrange for restaurants to come pick us up and also provide loaner cars for our convenience. A complete list of all types of stores and services, along with the local newspaper, were in our welcome bag. Because the Doziers love Loopers, they’ve given us a greatly reduced rate for our stay.

We’re loving Deltaville! Today we are renting a car with the Cowhigs to look for the old Episcopal church and cemetery where Paul’s folks are buried. We plan to stay here for several days until the small craft advisory is lifted.