We have definitely moved north too fast! Yesterday as we motored the last fifteen miles into Norfolk the temp started at 38....then warmed to 48 ....we were freezing...I even busted out the Ugg boots I had stored, wore a long sleeved t, a sweatshirt and heavy coat....driving from below through the bridges, lock, and busy port was not an option....Dakota even seemed to appreciate being covered by a blanket.

BUT...we arrived safe and sound...ten miles from Norfolk Airport....in the heart of downtown, so Floyd will have plenty of options while I visit Kansas for a couple of weeks. When I return this mostly empty marina will be filled with Loopers...and a rendezvous will begin!! Craziness !!!

Today we pick up a rental car and run a few errands...haul in supplies so Floyd won't go hungry. Nothing very exciting....but it's too cold to be doing any outside boat chores, that's for sure. Folks around here are in winter coats, scarves and ear muffs...but it beats shoveling snow!!

Wednesday plan is for Floyd to make arrangements with Atlantic Yacht Basin for storing the boat...we think TUMBLEWEED will be here for a year...it is full working ...big storage boat yard...and appears to have fresh water inside storage. He is excited to be able to keep the boat in the water.

Thursday we'll head into Norfolk proper...10 bridges and one lock...all timed to open on the hour or half hour...but it is a short 15 miles to Waterside Marina where we'll be for the next three weeks. I fly home on Sunday for two weeks, returning just in time to attend the Looper Rendezvous May 5-8 th.  Then we'll move back here and begin the process of leaving her for a year.

Can I just mention that this is the longest stretch of boating I think I've done....and I am certainly sick of these boating clothes...limited wardrobe for extended periods is not my idea...I'm ready for a real closet...and cute shoes! I'm seriously thinking about ditching most, if not all, boat clothes and starting from scratch in a year ....stay tuned to see how that works for me!

Our Saturday at SeaGate marina was lovely...Dakota ran and ran...lots of grass and open space...right off the boat! We planned our trip into Norfolk...short days...and hoped the weather would hold.

We left Sunday AM at o'dark thirty...hoping to beat the impending wind to cross Pamlico Sound...well, that didn't happen! It was rocky, rolly...and somewhere along the way we noticed a need for a pump out ....disgusting !! A quick call to the marina where we'd planned to stop was not reassuring! Seems their pump out station was NOT working and they had no plans to get it up and running! Our quick thinking Captain put the pencil to the map...and said, " if you can handle another 4 hours, we might as well venture on to Coinjock." . A quick call to that marina and we just kept on peddling...across Albemarle Sound and into the ditch that took us into Coinjock..rocky rolly, rolly rocky...wind coming from behind so driving from the fly bridge was okay..Coinjock Marina is just a wall on the ICW...and it appeared that everyone we saw that day was also attempting to beat the storm ... the place was packed and once again, TUMBLEWEED was the oldest smallest boat on the dock...a pump out (relief) ...and a geat little restaurant! They are noted for their prime rib...and was I ever glad I ventured over to reserve us some! The couple sitting  behind us was not so lucky....

Still the storm was approaching...it was all the other captains were discussing...leave early to beat it or wait and follow it??? At 6AM, Floyd's call was to wait...everyone else had already headed out...so we waited...and left around 1PM...not a bad choice! Crossing Cuttuck/ Coinjock sound was certainly more comfortable than we expected...but it was narrow skinny water so Captain doesn't get as much help driving as when it is deep and wide...and we made great time....Well, except for that one bridge that refuses to open between 4-6 PM....so we missed that by 20 minutes! Now waiting til 6.... But once through there we could see Atlantic Yacht Basin...another wall marina on the ICW. We slid right in....and at exactly 8PM, the wind shifted abruptly to the north...temp dropped 30 degrees in 40 minutes...and the rains came...and the winds blew!

Today was a much better day on the water....slight breeze as opposed to the 25+ MPH winds of yesterday...and warmer...we made it to the 80s....and just four and a half hours north...

Well, except for the 50' sport fisher SUSHI... Who needs a few lessons in boater etiquette ...he zoomed by us once...no radio request or warning...no slowing...just straight on speed...then we heard them radio a local marina about gas...and an hour later they passed us again...this time I even requested they slow down as they passed. Nope, didn't happen. We heard folks comment to them all afternoon...I think Mr SUSHI better change the name of his boat...it's already got a bad reputation !

Tonight we are at one tiny divot in the channel along the ICW....SeaGate Marina is just north of Newport...maybe has 20 slips, a little store, and houses with big yards. We are right on the wall...so step off the boat and run, Dakota, run....he has had great fun this afternoon....we think he's adorable running around holding his own leash!! He's gonna sleep good tonight.

Tomorrow we cross Pamlico Sound...one of the biggest ...so hopeful this slight breeze will not kick up. We are almost to Norfolk....

AND THE WIND BLEW IN!! Before we finished preparations to leave Dudley's , the wind began to howl...in excess of 25 MPH...pinned us to the dock...and we opted to stay put! It was a rather lazy day for me...I read and cuddled with Dakota...and Floyd was busy with little numbers in little squares.  After much angst, our budget began to get tighter and tighter. I suggested that it might help if we stored the boat in May rather than July...ending our cruising sooner rather than later...and he agreed. 

So, I'm still returning to Kansas...cause I already bought that ticket...and we'll attend the Looper Rendezvous May 5-8. Then instead of heading north to explore the Chesapeake, we'll back track just a little to put the boat in storage and return to Kansas. Then next spring we'll explore and move north. It'll all work....eventually. Gives me time at home with a house that needs some serious attention...and of course, the cutest grandson in the land...and my dear mom ,family and friends. I've missed them so. Plus I'm getting really tired of my limited boating wardrobe! I need a variety of cute shoes, my hairdresser and manicurist...oh, yea, I'll be fine! Though I may have to mount some sort of cannon and a helm station with charts on the balcony for Floyd...

Rain finally made an appearance...but it was not near the event the forecasters had predicted!  We left Myrtle Beach in a light rain and motored to Indigo Plantation Marina near Bald Head Island.  A small off the path place with free laundry and plenty of room for Dakota to run. The security guard was glad to have company...and even supervised our last load of laundry. Captain even let us sleep on Wednesday.

We motored to Masonboro and stayed at the yacht club there...interesting place! They are under going  a huge upgrade of facilities...we noticed a rather LARGE new slab of cement...and lots of earth being moved. When the dock master mentioned to Floyd that he had scheduled a barge operation to arrive early the next morning...and we were in the way...BUT if we left the dock by 7:15 AM , he'd let us stay free! Yep, you know it! We were outta there at 7:10!!!! And the temp was 52! Just a little nippy out there!

Put in an extra long day...9 hours and full of those bridges that only open on the hour or half hour....some waiting was involved...but not too bad really....our first choice marina was unavailable...so we needed to get past Camp Lejeunes before we could find another...another couple of hours down the ICW...so last night we were at Dudley's in Swansboro....well worth the extra hours....a courtesy car, a trip to the grocery, and restaurant food! What a treat! Though Camp Lejeune keeps firing cannons....or something really big...sure got Dakota spooked and he hardly ever reacts to fireworks etc.. You often feel the vibration of the power of them...it is just a little unnerving even for me! Folks around here say happens all the time. Go Marines!

Today is only a four and a half hour cruise to a notch in the ICW called SeaGate marina...we stayed there last go round, and it is literally a pond notched out of the channel...nothing there but a protected place to stay. We've got several large sounds to cross in the next couple of days as we make our way to Norfolk.

So that whole huge rain/thunderstorm thing did not make an appearance...so with TUTTO BENE in the lead, we headed to Myrtle Beach. We all stopped at Osprey Marina for the cheap gas and then TUTTO decided to carry on for a couple of hours to their next big stop at Barefoot Landing. We opted to stay at Osprey for the night...weatherman said storms a coming...and it was cheaper for us at Osprey! Plus they had a wide open place for Dakota to play...and a full field of goats next door!

We spent a quiet night there...expecting the rains to come...but, guess what??? No rain came! So today we motored a couple of hours to join TUTTO at Barefoot for one more night.... And they are still saying that rains are coming! We shall see....we shall see! Til then we have scheduled docktails with another couple of loopers...and re-checked our travel plans for getting to Norfolk! Still on track for a flight to Kansas!!

Getting out of Charleston was exciting...not only were there security boats of all shapes and colors...but we actually forgot to untie one of our lines....gees, makes you feel like an idiot! But it all worked out fine...and we only woke our neighbors....though I imagine they were already awake. Once we started these two engines we sorta sound like the Hell's Angels ....and it is just us! Lol

Cruised passed Isle of Palm marina and picked up TUTTO BENE...they followed us all the way to Georgetown...our entry into that marina was another artery clearing moment! Wind and current didn't really help us do what the dockmaster wanted....once again Capt Floyd delivered...but just know I was at the bow, saying "thank god, I'm not driving this boat...all I have to do is throw this line to that guy on the dock...I can do that!" Yea, when you repeat that over and over, it keeps you from screaming! And holding all that line means you can't chew your fingernails!!  And then it's over...and you're there...beer time!!

Dianne and I walked into Old Georgetown...a little shopping spree before dinner at the River Room! A delightful evening with folks we like! Another couple we wish we could take with us....but alas, they are staying in Myrtle Beach for two or three weeks...and I have tickets to fly home from Norfolk! So either tomorrow or the next day, we'll say caio....until they catch back up to us in May!

Cold front is moving in...rain and thunderstorms are predicted in the next couple of days...we can handle rain as we have a lower helm and windshield wipers...but wind and lightning are another matter. So Capt Floyd will be monitoring weather aps and talking to others before we untie ALL lines and head to Myrtle Beach.

Another busy day in paradise....I ventured to a nail salon for a much needed mani/pedi... Always makes me miss the special friend and manicurist I have at home!!! But a girl must be trimmed and polished... Floyd's chore changing the oil in both engines was complicated by the WalMart guy who sold him the wrong oil filters.....luckily, the NAPA guy here was super...and even delivered the right filters to him at the marina. We made another trip to the grocery...and couple loads of free laundry...played with Dakota on the lawn...day done.

Sad to say our plans to get with Lindsay Wasser fell through....kids in crisis have priority...and should. But it would have been delightful to see her.

This whole area has literally exploded with people today....a Carnival cruise ship arrived last night and was loading for departure this afternoon...people, cars, and buses everywhere. Tomorrow is the Cooper Bridge Run which is evidently a big marathon event. All week we have watched Coast Guard, Sheriff officers, and police come and go...in boats and cars....seems the marina here is the event security headquarters. Should make for an interesting departure in the morning!!!

Oh, and the marina is packed! A small boat came in this afternoon an rafted up with a bigger boat on the far dock. Didn't work so well when that cruise ship stirred up big wakes! Lots on rock in' and Rollin' in Charleston....busy harbor!

Tomorrow morning we plan to meet up with John and Dianne aboard TUTTO BIENNE...and travel to Georgetown, SC...then on to Mrytle Beach on Sunday. Weatherman is calling for scattered thunderstorms....so start scattering....far from us, please!

Dakota's visit to the Olde Towne Vet Clinic went really well. We were worried that he was not eating enough...oh, and those hot spots....he actually weighs 30 pounds (a couple more than the last vet visit...so gaining weight)... And this vet had a couple of good suggestions about those hot spots...we are going to discontinue using peanut butter with his benadryl and start using sweet potato...he is going to take an antibiotic for 14 days and she recommended a stronger ointment for the sores. They gave him a medicinal bath, trimmed toes nails and ears...he is good to go!!

Meanwhile, Floyd and I found a hair salon and both got haircuts....then spent way too much time and money at the local grocery store! But now we won't starve!! We walked mega miles today...to and from the vet, to and from the hair place, to and from the grocery store, then to and from the vet again....whew, we'll probably sleep really well tonight....but then we almost always do!! We had a great time catching up with John and Dianne..had some great BBQ and made plans to travel with them for the next couple of days!

Tomorrow I'm braving the process once again for a mani/pedi...Floyd is going to change the oil in both engines...and we are trying to link up with Lindsay Wasser.....one of my many other daughters!!! Then we are outta Charleston....counting the days to a flight to Kansas!!!