Norfolk, Virginina

[Kyle]Norfolk (Apr 14th to 30th)

Once we were finally tied up to the OCC’s guest dock (welcomed by our hosts Greta and Gary, and the dock master John) it was tough to wait the extra hour or so before our good friends Kate and Mark finished work and came to pick us up for a weekend at their house.

We were well entertained while waiting, with a presentation of the new Hampton Roads Bridge project complete with giant model of the drilling system. When Kate and Mark did arrive, it was hard not to run towards them as if we were characters in a cheesy movie. We’re adults now, so we walked, but we still weren’t wasting any time at this long overdue reunion.

At their house, we met their next generation of pets since we were last there, and then we just hung out a lot, warm in the glow of good friendship.

Nothing we did makes for a riveting travelogue, but it was great fun nonetheless. Sitting on the same sofa, breathing the same air and being able to converse at length, without having to worry about what our signal is like, how much data we have left, how long the batteries would hold out, or what time zone they are in was a massive luxury and the perfect salve for having been separated for so long.

We spent the better part of the next week there, with the balance of the time visiting other friends in the area and doing all of the new boat jobs our recent package deliveries added. We tried our best to be as unpleasant as possible so they would be practically delighted at our departure, but when the weather forecasts gave us the opportunity to stay a third weekend, we were invited back yet again.

We were waiting for some particularly nasty weather to pass before heading north again. When they took us back to Begonia, it was cold, rainy and miserable outside. When we finally said goodbye, we clung to each of them like we were doing it for the warmth. Not wanting them to get soaked finally broke it up, but at that moment, we really didn’t want to leave. I suppose it’s better that way than waiting until we get shoved out of a moving car. We already can’t wait to see them again.

[Maryanne]I think Kyle was just happy to be in Norfolk again feeling some sense of home. Actually we had previously lived in Portmouth, just across the Elizabeth River, but I had worked in Norfolk and we spent just as much time there. Aside from hanging out in the comfort of Kate and Mark's beautiful home, we did indeed do quite a lot of sightseeing with our friends while in the area. We also spent plenty of evenings with delicious meals (or even roasting marshmallows over a wood firepit). We took Begonia out of a short sail up the river and back.

I was also able to spend some quality time with Liz, a good friend who I first met when we were both training as volunteer EMTs many years ago. The return to Norfolk was bliss, while we had only inteneded to stay a week, the weather didn't comply and we (thankfully) were foreced to stay a 2nd week and get even more love from our visit. Our OCC hosts (Greta and Gary) were so kind, offering lots of assistance, and making us a most delicious "shrimp and grits" bake that I hope to replicate at some point soon.

Ocean Cruising Club (OCC) Port Officers Gary and Greta were so kind and welcoming during our visit to their lovely Condo

A trip to the beach (for Orange Crushes)

Mark helped out with a boat project

The beautiful Norfolk Botanical Gardens

The Chrysler Museum/Perry Glass Blowing Studio does regular demonstrations - always fascinating

And with our fresh knowledge of glass making, we visited the Barry Art Museum and happened to receive an unexpected welcome from Carolyn Barry one of the benefactors of the museum

We Visited the grounds of The Hermitage

I forgot to take pictures (so these are older pictures), but we managed to spend some time with Liz (ex EMT students together), and also with Chris (ex work colleague)

And of course, a bit of wandering about in Norfolk itself

But mostly we just chilled and hung-out with the Rodenhouses and their pet family