2023-09-23 Back to normal boat life

Last Sunday, our son Derek drove the 300 miles from Meridian, Idaho to Bend, Oregon to pick up Kris from visiting her parents, and drive back to Meridian - all in one day.  Long day for Derek, but he got to see his grandparents briefly, and of course enjoy the company of his mother for a 5.5 hour drive.

Discussion in the car ranged widely.  Covered topics including politics, gravity, electron flow in electrical wires, dating apps, relationships, gaming, getting old, and other interesting topics. 

Our son Derek, all grown up

While Kris and Derek where solving world issues, Dean was getting ready to move the boat from Mobjack Bay down to Portsmouth, where Kris would be flying back to.  Dean was busy on the boat doing many projects and cleaning including laundry, and he re-did the cabin floors.

Shiny nice floor

Dean hung out in Portsmouth for a few days. watching large boat traffic, and having visitors

3 of Deans visitors - he fed them Kris's whole wheat bread

Some of the big boat traffic going by the busy harbor 

Our friends on What If came to Portsmouth as well, and Dean and Ed enjoyed a nice long walk to the store and back.

What If heading out

While Dean did cleaning and polishing on the boat, Kris stayed busy with Derek, getting her new laptop ready - as hers had died before she left for the trip, and Derek being a computer whiz helped her pick a new one, and put in upgrades.

Kris flew in late Thursday, and Friday morning early we were on the water moving the boat.   A then Tropical Depression was heading up, and we wanted to be in a more protected area.   

There are always interesting things to see between Portsmouth and the entrance to the Dismal Swamp Canal along the ICW

Big ships always fun to look at

Interesting shape

We need this to lift out of the water in rocky anchorages

Stopped and got diesel at Top Rack Marina - which has consistently low diesel prices.   Were suprised how empty is was in the water, but saw the inside storage building was full.

Diesel only $3.88 per gallon at Top Rack Marina 

We timed the trip well, and made it to our first stop at Deep Creek, just in time to get lunch, and some groceries.

Going through Deep Creek Lock - no rain yet

Yes, that is two large pizzas - One for Kris and one for Dean

We did not spend the night, but pushed on in the rain and chilly temps, as the lock master had warned us that if any trees fell across the canal, we would be trapped for a while.   We decided to try to make the furthest south lock at South Mills.

Bundled up, motoring the Dismal in the rain

We made it just in time, and tied up along the wall between the South Mills bridge and lock

Charm tied up along the wall in the Dismal Swamp Canal at South Mills

We got lots of rain from now Tropical Storm Ophelia, but well protected from the wind.  The rain stopped by Saturday afternoon and Kris went for a short walk in South Mills.  It is a very small town, with quite a few run down homes, and some older nice ones.

Cute post office in South Mills

We will head out today for Elizabeth City, where we will wait for good winds to head further south.