Hunting & Gathering - Virginia Beach

We had lots to do before leaving Cups. David was intent on getting as many chores done in advance of our departure as possible so that once we return in September, we can spend time sailing in the Chesapeake rather than doing repairs and maintenance. Much of what we needed in the way of parts and supplies, however, were not available within walking distance. This easily prompted us into renting a car for the day and heading out for a “hunting and gathering” trip … and maybe lunch in nearby Virginia Beach.

We had our list all written out and even remembered to take it with us. West Marine was at the top, followed by an auto parts store, WalMart, Lowes or Home Depot, a grocery and whatever else we saw along the way that tempted us … and lunch. Don't forget lunch!

Hertz picked us up a bit late and by the time the paperwork was completed at their office, it was 10am before we hit the road. We headed first to WalMart since it was on the way. Our microwave, which admittedly we don't use very often, had died … after only 14 years. We found a compact, same-size replacement for $49. David found the motor oil he needed, but not transmission oil. We headed to the auto parts store for that. Lowes had muriatic acid for cleaning out the head hoses. By the time we arrived at West Marine, we were all primed for buying stuff. Oh-oh! We managed to get away for only a couple hundred dollars … three gas jugs, engine spray paint and some electrical parts... though we were tempted to buy much more. Luckily, we were hungry and that trumped more West Marine purchases!

We drove down to the shore and had a late lunch at the Waterman's Surfside Grille. It was touristy and crowded, but the she-crab soup and lump crabcakes were worth the bother. We sat on the covered outdoor patio with the smell of the salty ocean sweet to our senses. A light breeze ruffled the awnings and the white sand beach was just a few feet away. We ate, sipped cold draft beer, chatted and just enjoyed the day.

After lunch, we wandered along the Boardwalk for a few minutes and then along Atlantic Avenue. The beach was colorful with bright umbrellas lined up at the shore and people of every description soaking up the surf and sun. Way in the distance we spotted a sailboat.

Across the street, the shops on Atlantic Ave offered all sorts of things to woo the tourists. At one store, we could have received a free hermit crab if we bought a cage, but we chose not to. We could have rented bikes or self-powered dune buggies to get around town or bought a boogie board or new swim togs or beach toys or kites, but we passed up all these wonderful opportunities and decided to visit the Cape Henry Lighthouse.

We noticed the giant King Neptune statue as we were heading north and David patiently stopped in a no-parking zone so I could get out and get a quick photo. My camera is not working properly and I was forced to use my phone as a camera … a new experience for me. The rest of the world, I'm told, does this all the time.

There are actually two Cape Henry Lighthouses and they're both at Fort Story, an active US military base. To gain access to the lighthouses, we had to stop at an inspection post, show IDs, proof of registration and insurance for the car, answer some questions and evacuate the car while they gave it a thorough once-over. Finding nothing suspicious, they issued us a pass for entry. This was the highlight of the afternoon though they discouraged me from taking any pictures at the inspection point.

We drove a couple of miles through the base (do NOT leave the main road, we were cautioned) and there before us stood the lighthouses. The original Cape Henry Light, first lit in 1792, is octagonal-shaped and was the first federally-funded works project in the USA. It has been claimed by a non-profit for preservation and upkeep. We passed on climbing the 191 steps to the top and contented ourselves with views from below and afar.

Close by is the 1881 black and white patterned lighthouse which replaced the deteriorating older one. It still stands sentry over the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

We headed back towards Chesapeake, but had to stop when we saw a Trader Joes. And then another stop at Mickey D's for an afternoon iced coffee. I spotted a Good Will and really needed a “thrift store hit” so we stopped yet again. I netted a classic Blue Willow china saucer (c. 1940) which doesn't go with anything at all and made no sense to buy, but for $2, I thought it was a steal. We finally made it back to the boatyard.

All in all, a fine day. We hunted and gathered all the supplies and parts we needed for Cups and the crew was delighted with lunch out and a break from the boat. Now to put all those supplies and parts to good use.

Cups' New Digs - Atlantic Yacht Basin

We had lots of questions and the folks at Atlantic Yacht Basin (AYB) had all the right answers.

Yes, they had room for Nine of Cups now until early September and they would make accommodation for her to stay a few months in late autumn till after Christmas as well. Their rates? About half of what we had anticipated paying in the lower Chesapeake or Baltimore area. Because this is a boatyard and not a marina, we wouldn't be paying for all those classy amenities we didn't need and wouldn't be using. This would be so much better for the budget.

What about getting the transmission repaired? We spoke to James, Vice President of AYB and a 40-year veteran at the yard. He has a mechanical background and stopped by the boat the very day we arrived to confirm David's suspicions of a rear seal leak. David removed the gear reduction case and it's currently in the hands of a mechanic for rebuild. Couldn't have been easier.

We were concerned that Cups would be safe on the off-chance that a hurricane came through. In fact, AYB is considered a hurricane hole. Being inland and before the Great Bridge Locks, this area is well-protected from tides, surge and wind. Boats come here when a hurricane threatens. We were feeling better and better about leaving Cups here. The decision was easy … we're staying.

So what's it like here? It's a boatyard and it's pretty rural actually. The area is heavily treed and we feel like we're docked in the middle of the woods. We are on a linear dock right on the Abermarle to Great Bridge Canal. There are mostly big motor yachts on the dock and Cups is definitely feeling a bit under-dressed. This is definitely not the usual crowd she hangs out with.

During the day, we hear the hourly horn sound for the opening of the Great Bridge bascule bridge. There's a lot of boat traffic that goes by, but it's very, very slow because they're all waiting to transit the bridge and are nearly at a standstill. Hence, very little wake or wave action. We hear the low rumble and sometimes feel the vibration of the tugs as they pass by pushing massive barges and equipment along the river.

AYB is quite large and pretty much surrounded by water. In fact, though it's really a peninsula, the employees call it “the island”. There are huge sheds with high, high ceilings for covered boat storage ... not masted sailboats though, mostly power boats. There's one outside linear dock in the back of the boatyard called “sailboat alley” where most of our kindred spirit boats are parked for long term stays.

Other sheds are dedicated to carpentry, painting, refinishing and a variety of other trades and services offered here. It's a busy place, but on the docks, it's very quiet and peaceful. We can easily walk to the grocery, a hardware store and several restaurants. I even spotted a thrift shop not too far away, but I haven't checked it out yet.

As for the rural nature of the boatyard, Queen Anne's lace and other wildflowers (weeds) have sprouted up in lots of places and attract butterflies and dragonflies.

There are groves of Virginia pine and native shrubs surrounding us. We spotted a big fat water snake sunning himself on the rocks.

I noticed a couple of blackberry bushes during my amblings that looked loaded with ripe blackberries. Blackberry crumble in our future!

In general, we think Cups will be safe and happy here for a couple of months until we return in September. Before we leave, there's lots to do, but at the moment, we're content to have found a place to stay for awhile.

Along the ICW - A Change in Plans?

Day 14 – 8 nm to go It rained during the night and we woke to a grey morning. We slept with our aft hatch open and knew it was raining when our feet got wet. We were up by 0530, but it was a lazy, dreary morning. I wrote and edited photos while David made a run to the local Taylor Do-It Center to find a new hose nozzle and connector.

I watched Canada geese with their goslings only a few feet away from the dock. A mallard duck couple mingled with the geese, but were given the snub by the geese and cautionary honks when they waddled too close to the goslings. Squirrels raced around and we saw several brown bunnies enjoying the rich green grass a la morning dew.

We had every intention of making the 0900 Great Bridge opening, but the VHF wailed a violent weather alert for our area about 0830 and we decided to stick around till the weather passed. At first the thunder was distant and half-hearted, but the squall approached quickly and in no time, the lightning bolted through the sky, thunder cracked and the heavens opened up and gave us a good dousing. With only 8nm to Norfolk, the end of the ICW (and 8 bridges and a set of locks), there was no rush.

Around 10:00, there was a lull in the rain. We sprung off the dock, made a U-turn in the channel and tied up at the Atlantic Yacht Basin (AYB) fuel dock on the opposite shore for a diesel top-up. The rain began in earnest again and since we were alone at the fuel dock, the dockmaster had no problems delaying the fuel fill till the rain stopped. We decided we'd take a look around. AYB is a working boatyard, not a marina. There were still basic amenities like hot showers, laundry, free wifi, water and electric on the docks, but there was also a 60-ton Travelift, an on-site chandlery, several boats on the hard and lots of workers busy at their trade. This place had potential.

So time for consultation and consideration … we had lots of questions.

1. Did they have room for Nine of Cups if we decided to leave her here till our return in early September? Were the rates reasonable?
2. Did they have a marine mechanic on staff for the transmission repair? And what would the repair costs be?
3. Would Cups be safe here during hurricane season?
4. Could we rent a one-way car here in Chesapeake, VA to drive up to Boston and how would we get to the rental car place?
5. We intend to drive back from Las Vegas in September, leave the car and sail for a month or so. Could we leave our car here safely and without cost?

For the answers to these questions and many more and the results of our decision, check back tomorrow.