Jack and Pat's Adventures

 May 14th We arrived on Deltaville, Va on the 9th. Other than a casual seafood restaurant on site, there was nothing within miles. We know because we walked at least 3 miles round trip and all we found was a hardware store. Even the pool they advertised was closed because "the pool guy just doesn't show up". On Saturday, May 11th we headed to Solomon's Island. Now this is a place I would go back to. On Sunday we visited their Calvert Marine Museum and climbed the historic lighthouse to the top. The museum focused on the oyster and crab industry and the boats that were used over the century. We then walked to the town. Solomon's Island has been inhabited since colonial times, In the19th century is was developed to support the island's fishing fleet and built schooners and sloops. Today it is an upscale destination spot for the Baltimore-Washington area. We found a nice restaurant right on the water and had a great seafood dinner. And since it was Mother's D...

May 9th Well it looks like it has been a week since I posted. I found a great hand surgeon in Chesapeake, not far from downtown Norfolk. After evaluating my wrist he did a closed reduction, meaning he manipulated my wrist back into alignment and casted it to maintain the alignment. I will not deny that it hurt like hell but it did prevent me from having to have surgery.  We stayed in Norfolk until Tuesday and continued to enjoy the city with our new Looper friends. On Saturday a group of us went to a great Wine Festival in Norfolk and yes, by the time we were halfway through, the pain in my wrist was significantly better. Sunday was Cinco de Mayo so, never letting an opportunity pass, we found a great Mexican restaurant and enjoyed margheritas and tacos. Monday was provisioning day and Tuesday we headed north into the Chesapeake Bay towards Yorktown, Va. On our way out of Norfolk were amazed by the presence the Navy and the shipping industry has in the area . We weren't in Tampa Ba...

 May 2nd We arrived in Coinjock on Sunday, 4/28 after buddy boating with L'Attitude Adjustment. It is a small marina located on the intracoastal waterway on our way to Norfolk. We were soon joined by our friends on Bapardi. Coinjock is famous for their restaurant that proudly serves 32 oz ribeye steaks. So, of course, we immediately made reservations for the 6 of us. On Tuesday we headed up to Norfolk. It was a beautiful tree lined part of the intracoastal. Norfolk was quite an impressive site as we entered the port which is a base for Naval vessels. After we docked at the Waterside Marina our day turned negative. While I was engaged in the routine of connecting the boat to the water system, I slipped on the dock and in an attempt to break my fall I broke my wrist!  Although I was hoping that it was only a bad sprain, it became evident that a fracture was more likely so off we went in an Uber to the emergency department at Sentara General Hospital. After xrays, that confirmed ...

 April 28th, We arrived in Belhaven, NC after a pleasant but long cruise from Oriental. There were 8-10 Loopers boaters in the marina with us. This has been one of the surprises for us. We heard that we would meet other Loopers along the way but never imagined that there would this many and that there would be a few that we would "buddy boat' with, as well as spend time together with off the boat. It is also fun being in a marina and then seeing a boat come in that we hadn't seen for a while. The Belhaven Marina was unique in that it had a large grassy area right in the marina and it was set up for croquet and corn hole. I don't think it would be surprising to say that there were Docktails on the lawn and, of course, that the guys had to challenge each other to a game of croquet.  The next day, after chores, we took a walk and explored the town and visited shops and a bakery. That evening, six of us went to a great restaurant that recently opened in a beautifully resto...

 April 25th We arrived in Oriental, NC on the 23rd. The marina is small with less than a dozen slips which were primarily occupied by Looper boats. The marina also has an Inn and pool. That evening the Loopers gathered at the pool for Docktails and appetizers and then we individually had dinner on our boats.\The next day was sunny and warm so a couple of us walked to Piggly Wiggly to stock up on groceries. They provide a "Piglet Shuttle" to take us back to the marina with our groceries which was very convenient. That afternoon we sat at the pool for a while before getting cleaned up for docktails on Evan and Michael's "Strummin' Along" with 2 other couples. The 4 couples then went to a great little restaurant called M&M Cafe. This morning "The Next Chapter, "Strummin' Along and L'Attitude Adjustment set off at 7:30 to head for Belhaven Marina. Much of the trip was across Neuse River which is a wide open space connected to the Atlantic. ...

 April 23rd. After leaving Southport we cruised up to Hampstead, and spent the night at the Harbour Village Marina. It is a very nice marina with clean showers (something I have learned to appreciate more and more). The marina is in a residential community and far from any stores or restaurants so we only stayed one night. That evening our friends Evan and Michael, "Strummin' Along" owners, came over for docktails and appetizers which turned into our dinner.  The next day "Strummin Along "and "The Next Chapter" took us on a 66 mile/8 hr cruise up to Beaufort, NC. Fortunately, weather was warm and sunny. Beaufort Marina is located right downtown amidst great little shops and restaurants. Because of the long cruise we had 2 free days in Beaufort. That evening a group of us Loopers enjoyed delicious Mexican food and spectacular margueritas. Sunday was cold and rainy so we just hung out on the boat and read. Monday was another nice day but a bit chilly so ...

 April 18th We arrived at Barefoot Landing Marina on April 15th. The marina was very nice and had a huge pool for us to enjoy. On April 16th we took an Uber to the Food Lion and stocked up. We spent the afternoon relaxing at the pool and had dinner at the restaurant at the Marina. April 17th was a cruise day up the ICW to Southport, NC.  YES we crossed the state line, having been in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. So far we have traveled 1,000 miles over 46 days (traveling 25 days and site-seeing 21 days). The cruise up to Southport gave us another view of the topography of east coast. We were very often running parallel to the Atlantic Ocean with a great view Shortly after arriving at the dock we were visited by a Robert Creech. He and his wife are harbor hosts for Loopers who stay at the Marina. They did the Loop several years ago and now enjoy living vicariously through  current Loopers. They invited us to a Happy Hour on their porch that was just a short walk awa...