Rabid Grasshoppers

Good morning!

...and a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Todd Lampke!!! The big 2-0! Yikes!

We're in Oriental, NC. The sailing capital of NC, apparently.

It's been too long since I posted last. I left you in Williamsburg. I spent the day browsing the bookstore, eating lunch at The Cheese Shop, window shopping, and even chatted with some strangers- it was a good day!

That night we had supper at the marina's restaurant. I had trout. just fabulous. We left Saturday mornin for Coinjock, NC and saw THIS: b-e-a-YOU-tiful!

The trip to Coinjock was an eventful one.
We stopped in Portsmouth for fuel, which took about an hour.
Then we had to wait TWO HOURS for the Gilmerton Bridge. It was the weekend, they were doing construction, blah blah blah.
Then we went through the Great Bridge locks and bridge.
THEN, about 30 miles north of Coinjock, we lost engine controls.
Like... the boat wouldn't GO.

Barry asked me to drop the anchor. If there's a question that will get me out of my seat and on my feet faster, I don't know what it is.

I dropped the anchor, Barry notified the barge coming down the waterway that yes, we were anchored, and sorry but no, we can't move.
Then he fixed the engine controls, I pulled in the anchor, and we went on our merry way!

I think this is a good time to thank God for a Captain that knows what he's doing. :)

We left Coinjock Sunday morning and headed for Pungo Creek- the same place we anchored on the way up. We found our spot and camped out for the night. During supper, we watched a storm approaching on the radar. It broke up and almost completely missed us- we got just a light rain, very little wind :)

Yesterday morning, we pulled up the anchor- and a TON of mud! Gross! I took a picture... ...this time wasn't quite as bad as the 1st time we anchored there (I've become fairly handy with a water hose!) but you get the gist...

We got into Oriental Marina yesterday around noon. Had lunch, I finished up some chores, and then went to the pool. We had supper at the restaurant approximatley 20 feet off our bow. There was no need to get moving this morning- we're headed to Beaufort (that's BOW- like you wear in your hair) today and it should only take about 3 hours to get there. We're planning on leaving around 10:30ish.

I'm excited about Beaufort- it's a neat little town. The schedule says we're laying over there- which we may, unless the weather is ideal for traveling outside tomorrow- Barry would like to get in some ocean time...

Thanks for following us! Hugs all around! :)

p.s. we'll be home in 11 days. But don't tell Alice- she gets cranky.

what you've missed...

Happy Birthday, Daddy!! (yesterday)

I've found a great little coffee shop in Portsmouth VA- really good coffee, awesome muffin, and holy cannoli! Jonny Diaz just started playing...

"Sha la la la la- LA- la!"

I love this place.

Alrighty, I'm gonna try my darndest not to leave anything out-

The last time I posted, we were in Beaufort, NC. From there, we went to Pungo Creek and anchored out for the night.
We decided to have supper on the boat- ooh! and we saw a BEAUTIFUL sunset!

Tuesday morning, we left Pungo Creek (after getting creek mud ALL over the bow of the boat- seriously, I had to change my clothes... nasty stuff) and headed for Coinjock. We got in and settled just before a mega-STORM found us. Check out these awesome pictures... (those little yellow things would be lightning... and once again, you can see that the boat is smack in the middle of all the pretty colors!)


(this one is from inside the pilothouse- no way I was going out in that. But check out the patterns the wind was making on the water- it was really cool to watch!)

Yesterday morning, we made our way here to Portsmouth. On the way, we saw 6 or 7 deer and an EAGLE! (sorry, no pictures- I was eating breakfast. priorites, folks.)

To get to Portsmouth, we had to go under the Great Bridge Bridge and Locks- luckily, we had quality entertainment. We followed two boats (who shall remain nameless) for, I don't know, maybe 20 miles?

To put it mildly, these guys were having some issues- we came to the conclusion it was that they hadn't briefed themselves on this particular section of the waterway. That sounds diplomatic enough, right?

I didn't get any pictures of the lock- we were pretty busy enjoying the show...

Once we got to Portsmouth, we re-fueled- using the slowest fuel pumps in the history of the world...
Here's a shot of me- working hard.
After re-fueling, we gave the boat a good wash down- now she sparkles!!
Yesterday was only the 3rd day on the trip so far that it hasn't rained. Perhaps today will be day #4? Fingers crossed!

I've only seen a couple blocks, but so far Portsmouth seems like a pretty cool place!
I hope everyone's Thursday is going well! Ta ta for now!

Home in 5...

"I'm livin on things that excite me-
Be they pastry or lobster or love..."



If those lyrics don't excite you, there's something wrong with you. I think they are perfect. If you agree, then listen to the whole song- I posted it just for you.

I wasn't able to post last night- we were in Clewiston. It was a good place to stay overnight- nice people, sheltered, no wind... I will say, however, that it stunk. Horribly. Not sure what I expected though- it's a swamp.
To get there, we had to go through 3 locks- 2 were about a 3 foot change, one was 8 feet. We got some pictures:




Also, we saw a camel. I didn't get a picture, but you've seen a camel before.

Happy belated St. Patrick's day, by the way...

This morning, Barry and I had breakfast at the marina before we left. (Since the time change, we haven't been able to get underway until well after 7 in the mornings...) Then we saw an awesome sunrise- the pictures don't do it justice, but I'll share anyway.

We had 2 locks to go through today- one with a change of about 7 inches... the other one dropped something like 13 feet. Holy cannoli. Pictures:


We traveled with 2 boats all of today and yesterday- a Fleming named "Athena" and a Hartage named "Pretty Lady." They were nice. The best boat name we saw today was "RedJello." fabulous.

We got in just after 2ish today and took a walk into town, got some ice cream, and tried and failed to find a book store... people in Stuart don't read?
Sunset Bay Marina- very cool place. Tomorrow, we'll be in Vero. Oh, and news: we'll likely be home a day early.

That's all I have for today! Peace out, homies!

Only 13 days left...

Saturday, August 29:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BECKY HOLT!

This morning, we got out of Norfolk later than usual- around 8ish. It was a very good day on the water, seeing as we were in the ICW (yay!!!)… and we got to see some pretty cool stuff too!

This is Old Point Comfort:

Then, we went past all the Navy ships in Norfolk- there are a TON! We counted 5 carriers and 26 unidentified ships.

We went thru maybe 8 bridges today- some of which had to open for us, which is always fun, and then we went thru the Great Bridge Locks again! …feels like only yesterday… (it was July 26)
Here are some pictures:


The marina where we’re staying tonight was just on the other side of the Great Bridge Bridge.
We had to re-fuel- here’s me helpin out!


Tomorrow, we’re headed to Roanoke Island!
13 days, folks! Times flies when you’re havin a blast!

p.s. There's a DQ across the street! oh, happy day! :D

mint chocolate chip

Today is Sunday, July 26- Happy Anniversary to Momma and Daddy! :D

This morning, we left Coinjock, NC headed for Hampton, VA (just past Norfolk).


We saw TONS of bridges today- the most memorable being The Great Bridge Bridge. Way cool- it’s a 4-lane bridge! And the whole thing just rotates backwards…


Once we got through the bridge, we had to go through a set of locks. The water level changes so drastically in the canal that you have to go through a dam, then they lock it behind you, the water level either increases or, in our case, decreases, and then they open the dam in front of you, and you’re free to carry on as usual. We took pictures:




The Norfolk Naval Yard was a happening place! We got to see some super duper ships!
check out the guns on that thing!!



and a submarine!!!
...the picture I took wasn't adequate... the submarine was mostly submerged.


Tonight we’re staying at the Hampton Public Docks. Once we got settled into our home for the next 2 nights, we washed the boat down. Fun stuff!

we have company coming to stay with us tomorrow- friends of the Captain’s!

Tomorrow is a layover day, as well as a grocery shopping day! There’s finally one close enough! We are in serious need of some bagels…