R Island: May 2 - May 5, 2015 Chesapeake VA to Deltaville VA

We left the dock about 10:15 and stopped at the service area to pump out our black-water waste ( think bathroom waste). We then got in line with 4 other trawlers and 3 sailboats for the 11:00 bridge opening of the "Great Bridge" bridge, and then on into the Great Bridge Lock. The ride was uneventful thru the industrial south side of Norfolk, thru downtown and past the Naval Base. Not much has changed since last year. Traveled 23 miles to Hampton VA, and were settled in by 2:30. Perfect first day run and enjoyed a nice dinner at the marina restaurant- while watching the Kentucky Derby. The marina was also having a boat show, so we looked at a few but settles in for a drink on the fly-bridge of R Island.

Up and away by 7:00 the next morning headed to Deltaville and Dozier's Regatta Point Marina which we had visited 3 times last year. As we exited the Hampton Roads area we saw a large troop transport vessel return to the Naval Base and saw the "conning tower" (? top part) of a submarine that had just surfaced.

Dozier's offers free loaner cars, so we went to the market for fresh picnic food and had a great dinner on the patio of steak, sweet corn and salad. Another couple stopping in the marina, Mike and Dee from nearby Kilmarnock VA, joined us. They are both Purdue grads, along with their kids, and Ger had a great time reminiscing. They were both in the band, and we wound up singing the Purdue fight song and doing several old cheers. Lots of fun for some of us!

Weather forced us to stay a few extra days and took the occasion to travel 45 minutes to some friends of Mike and Lois; Ron and Micki of the sailboat Mainstay, who also live in Kilmarnock! Beautiful home on the Great Wicomico River, and had a wonderful dinner and great time telling stories. Today I am catching up on this blogg and Judie is doing laundry. Tomorrow we head for Solomons MD.