Sat, Oct 26 - In which we begin to understand the importance of dollar stores

Ingram Marina, VA to Tidewater Marina, Norfolk

There was an absolutely incredible sunrise sequence as we pulled out of Ingram Marina and headed back out into the Chesapeake Bay.  Black silhouettes of trees made the colors pop. Or so I heard.  I haven’t actually been up for a sunrise since the Reagan Administration.  I feigned seasickness in order to stay in bed a little longer. 

See our Atlantic Great Loops Cruising Association Flag!

Less rocking and rolling today, so that made me happy.  We came down past Newport News and into the huge navel facility that is the Norfolk VA port.  It took forever to come through the port as it is so big, but there was so much going on/to look at that no one minded. 

HUGE dry docks, floating machine shops, five aircraft carriers and military boats of various sizes on all sides.  It really was an awesome sight.  Our tax dollars AT WORK!!

We stopped for fuel at the Tidewater Marina – diesel fuel is less expensive then regular gas, but you get so much of it at anyone time (150 gallons usually) that there is some sticker shock.  The ecological footprint of our adventure does continue to bother us.  We can’t recycle at most marinas, and we are always running a motor…  It’s troublesome.

Then we go to dock at the Tidewater Marina and Let.  Me.  Tell. You.  That does not go well.  By this point Karen and Scott’s Navy Seal friends have shown up plus all the live aboard dockers have come out, hungry for fresh meat to talk to.  There is, therefore, an audience.  There was wind, a decision to back into the slip (which is always a terrible idea), etc.  In the end tempers flared, mistakes were made, words were exchanged, and we all needed a break from each other.  So Rick and I got out our new cute folding bikes and went for a ride.  To the dollar and grocery stores, of course.  This is not the last time we will go to either of those, I'm sorry to say.

Coming back all was calm, and we treated Karen and Scott to dinner at Fish and Slips (get it?!).  Great buffalo shrimp taco, btw. 

As with every night, we fall in to bed.  9pm seems like midnight…