The Leaves are Turning

It was another Monday night of Dancing With the Stars. That's two in a row - a record for this season. The ratty lounge at the Atlantic Yacht Basin had a television - miraculously, no Monday night football fans showed up to commandeer the TV. Ten competitors left - Vicki is rooting for Donny Osmond. Mya also looks like a tough competitor. And, yes, Norm did partake of the viewing even though he's not a fan of the show (wink, wink).

Heading to Coinjock. The prime rib is reserved. It's a pretty cruise in the ICW - the leaves are starting to turn color. We'll arrive around 2pm - time to do some laundry and cleaning.

During the recent rainy spell Vicki worked days on the computer to ready two applications for health insurance. She submitted them yesterday and should receive a response within the next month. One company wanted health history from the last five years, the other one wanted the last ten years! Fortunately, her medical records are onboard, but it was still a grind to sift through them. And she's been healthy!

Our New Location: Coinjock, NC.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=36.350216,-75.949892&spn=0.002536,0.006518&t=h&z=18&msid=102224145462847302635.00047662b6a7f2b3220a5

A Short Run Through US Navy-Land

First, our new location:Just click on the link below. It will take you to Google Maps and a "balloon" will mark our exact GPS location. Sometimes the map shows up too close and sometimes too far. So, just use the zoom (+) and (-) buttons on the left side to zoom in or out as necessary. We like to zoom out to see where we are in a bigger picture. Also, sometimes the screen shows up as a "MAP" view and sometimes as a "SATELLITE" view. We like the satellite view best, but both are good.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&t=h&ll=36.723338,-76.233659&spn=0.020192,0.052142&z=15&msid=102224145462847302635.00047652181b71bd6b218

It was a short cruise today. Due to the lock at Great Bridge VA closing for parts of the day and the boat traffic backup, we decided to wait out the "jam" and leave Portsmouth early afternoon. We also decided to use a marina tonight because the temps were going to 41F. OR, was it because Vicki didn't want to miss her favorite TV program--"Dancing With The Stars"?

Passing through the Norfolk Harbor is always a treat. It's a huge seaport with big Navy war ships being maintained. We always see old aircraft carriers, guided missile frigates, hospital ships and various cargo and troop transport vessels.

Because of the Navy presence and the commercial port; and also because there are a half dozen bridges, locks etc to open on a tight schedule, we have to stay quite focused. We time our cruise to "jive" with the openings; and, that is sometimes not easy. Anyway, we completed the short 13-mile run today averaging just under 5 mph--that's good! Here are some more shots of Norfolk Harbor.

Again, we have davit-envy. I'm beginning to know what it must be like to be Doug on Gypsies in the Palace. This "davit" is bigger than the davit on Tide Hiker (see ours at the bottom of the photo). Ours is rated for 900 Lbs. I'll bet anyone that that big one in the Navy Shipyard is at least double that!!

Do you think they do any real heavy lifting in this ship yard?

Give us heat!

We're at Portsmouth Boating Center for the night. We were going to try the free city dock here, but read a posting on Active Captain that the water was over the dock at high tide and since the new moon is raising tide levels a foot above normal, decided to forego the free dock. Glad we did because it's a night that demands heat - cloudy all day, threatening rain, windy and in the mid-50's, in the 40's tonight. So, it's good to be plugged in!

Kingsmill was fabulous. Too bad Norm was sick and couldn't take advantage of it much. The outstanding marina manager, David, gave us a half-price "sick" discount, so we paid $55/day. Wow! Unfortunately, Norm is still under-the-weather, but his sinus infection is gone. We need some sunshine and warm weather to really cure him. On to Coinjock tomorrow for the famous prime rib - maybe that will do it!

Our new location today. Just as a reminder here are some hints on how to find us:

Just click on the link below. It will take you to Google Maps and a "balloon" will mark our exact GPS location. Sometimes the map shows up too close and sometimes too far. So, just use the zoom (+) and (-) buttons on the left side to zoom in or out as necessary. We like to zoom out to see where we are in a bigger picture. Also, sometimes the screen shows up as a "MAP" view and sometimes as a "SATELLITE" view. We like the satellite view best, but both are good.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102224145462847302635.00047628eee5d8bce0338&t=h&z=19

Quiet Day (Revised w/picture)

Thursday, Oct 15:

Quiet day today. Overcast and cold - in the 50's. The perfect day for Vicki to start online applications for health insurance. She spent 4 hours applying on the AARP site - just a few more details to secure from doctors before submitting. Then applications to one or two more providers.

Norm is feeling marginally better. He took a walk today and brought back carrot cake for dessert. Yum!

Friday, Oct 16:

Still overcast and cold. Our heat has been on for a few days so we're comfy inside. The water is calm here but Norfolk is predicted to have 4-5 footers. Seas are supposed to lay down a bit tomorrow so we're planning to head to Portsmouth early PM on the falling tide. Norm is feeling a lot better each day--the drugs are working and this rest stop was very beneficial.

This eagle arrived yesterday and took a rest stop here too on the pylon close to Tide Hiker. Cool, huh?

We have a new moon on October 18, but we're already seeing the affects. Remember the "sea wall that isn't"? Here's another shot of it at high tide two days before the new moon.

Diagnosis and Medication

Off to the doctor we went this afternoon since Norm wasn't feeling better and was coughing up some ugly stuff. Seems that he has a sinus infection and is now on antibiotics from the onboard pharmacy.

There's a nor'easter coming in tonite which may hold us here until Sunday according to the NOAA forecast. Hopefully not that long. This is, however, the perfect place to be stuck.

Yes, Vicki was able to watch Dancing With the Stars last night at one of the Kingsmill restaurants. She's thinking that Donny Osmond is the one to beat. You heard it here first!

From the "It's a small world" category, the 80-footer, "Forever Young", arrived today along with "PomBoo", a 66-footer. Their names were very familiar to Norm, but he could not remember where he saw them. A couple hours later, he remembered: Chub Cay in the Bahamas. Very nice folks! They are also headed south.

Our current location: Just click on the link in the blog. It will take you to Google Maps and a "baloon" will mark our exact GPS location. Sometimes the map shows up too close and sometimes too far. So, just use the zoom (+) and (-) buttons on the left side to zoom in or out as necessary. We like to zoom out to see where we are in a bigger picture. Also, sometimes the map shows up as a "MAP" and sometimes as a "SATELLITE" view. We like the satellite view best, but both are good.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102224145462847302635.000475c460b17aeec8dfc&t=h&z=19.

The Heat is On!

Norm tried to take a nap this afternoon and was chilly, so he turned on the heat. At 5pm it was 56 degrees - time to head south. When Norm's cold is on the wane and the weather permits, we'll be heading south. The Chickahominy River will wait for another time - sorry we'll miss it, but it's good to have cruising desinations yet to be had. We toyed with the idea of leaving for the Chick today, but after Norm did the steam room and whirlpool "detox" at the fitness center, he was wiped. Better to stay here a few more days to continue the recuperation.

Vicki spent this cloudy, chilly afternoon at the coffee shop at Kingmill know as The Mill. She's preparing to buy health insurance because COBRA runs out at the end of the year. She spent the afternoon crunching numbers to figure out which of AARP's and Golden Rule's insurance plans would be best for her needs. The next step is to apply online. There are supposed to be more cloudy days in the next week which will be perfect for the drugery of completing the online health insurance applications.

Dancing with the Stars is a possibility tonite. The golf club bar has two televisions. Perhaps one could be tuned to ABC instead of Monday night football? We'll let you know on the next blog.

Unfortunately, we had to move to the inside of the dock to make room for an 80-footer coming in tomorrow. See our new location: click on the following link. This is going to be new to some of you so some instructions. Just click on the link below. When Google Maps comes up you can use the zoom feature (+ and - buttons on the left) to zoom in or out. If you zoom out you will see where we are in a bigger picture.



http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=37.221687,-76.662716&spn=0.000627,0.001629&t=h&z=20&msid=102224145462847302635.000475c460b17aeec8dfc

Lap of Luxury!

We're still docked at Kingsmill Resort on the James River. The great deal the dockmaster gave us has really worked out as Norm continues to nurse a nasty cold. Here's a couple of shots from the Resort. Here's Tide Hiker next to the the sea wall that isn't. The navy Ghost Fleet is in the far background. And some beautiful golf courses. $160 per round in the season.

Vicki is usually ready to leave a marina at a moment's notice. But she suggested to Norm this morning "Let's not leave today, or tomorrow if your not feeling any better". Then, before Norm answered she donned her work-out clothes and hustled to the 0900 pilate's class followed by a latte and a copy of the Sunday New York Times. Later we'll go to the Sunday Morning Brunch at the Bray Restaurant. Yesterday, Vicki took the free shuttle to Colonial Williamsburg and the chocolate shop there. Norm, on the other hand is drinking plenty of water, getting plenty of rest and Theraflu drugs. Do you get my drift here?

The trees are beginning to turn now. A few days up the Chickahominy River should be breathtaking. Then, we will turn the pointy end south and hope to beat the snow flakes.

NEW!

To see our location click on the following link:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=102224145462847302635.000475b0e57610f425144&ie=UTF8&ll=37.221636,-76.66271&spn=0.002507,0.006518&t=h&z=18

Did you notice our new Blog format? Now you can link to our friends' blogs--the ones that we follow often. They are much better at this than we are and have some very informative, educational and entertaining entries. Be sure to check them out. But do come back!!