Days 2-154-7 Good times (and some bad weather) in Norfolk, VA

Day 154 in Norfolk, VA (Monday, April 14, 2014)

Wow, I should have a picture of a bus... It seems like we spent the whole day on a bus. We set off to run errands with the first stop at Walgreen's, Target and then Ruby Tuesday's for lunch. At this point we would have been done, but West Marine had moved! We  got there nearly 1 1/2 hours later. This had actually been our most important stop since the time limit on our hand held flares had expired, and we would not have passed an inspection. On the way back we got off the bus at the end of the (new) light rail line and rode it back to about 3 blocks from the marina. Kind of a long (boring) day, but I needed to pick up some prescriptions, and the flares were a necessity.

Day 155 in Norfolk, VA (Tuesday, April 15, 2014)
We knew that there was a 100% chance of rain so we planned accordingly.

We set off on a 4 block walk to the Nauticus Maritime Museum and the battleship Wisconsin. We had a short wait before the museum opened at 10:00 am, but we beat the rain.

While waiting for the museum to open,, we had time to walk around the slip where the battleship Wisconsin is permanently moored. She had a long and varied career starting late in WW II and through the first Gulf War, where instead of using her 16 inch guns, she launched rockets. Our tickets to the museum included a tour of the ship, but when we got to the entrance, it was pouring so we opted out. This is the fifth battleship that I have visited, and I continue to be impressed by their size, grace and power.

The Admiral took this wonderful frontal view of the Wisconsin. We have passed along side many large ships on Lucky Us, but I think that I would really freak out if I ever looked up and saw this coming at me...

The museum had a wonderful story of the history of the US Navy with many ship models. However, keeping with the theme of Grandson Will and tugs, I thought this exhibit was quite fun. We did pick up some pointers on tug construction as well.

We left the museum in time to have a quick lunch and go to see the Captain America. There was plenty of rain throughout the day, but once again the several blocks to the movie and back to the boat were dry. Actually, I walked back to the boat after the movie while the Admiral had her haircut.

We had dinner on the boat, and the TV was full of severe weather reports and warnings. There were frost warning right up to the Atlantic coast in some places. Sure enough, at 7:30 the wind switched from south at 12 mph to north at 30-35mph with gusts as high as 54 mph. The wind shift was very quick, and in the next 20 minutes the temperature fell 20F as well. Overnight our low temperature was 37F, and the Admiral remarked that she was happy that she had not unplugged the electric blanket yet. We had known about the approach of this front (aka a northeaster) for several days so we had already postponed our departure from Norfolk.

Day 156 in Norfolk, VA (Wednesday, April 16, 2014)

We picked up a rent car at 8:00 am and set off to visit the battlefield at Yorktown and the historic colonial village of Williamstown for the day. The morning after the front blew through, it was clear and sunny but still very windy.

This picture is out the front window our the Mini Cooper as we head into the tunnel under the ship channel between Norfolk and Hampton Roads.

At the Visitors Center we saw a historical movie about the Battle of Yorktown, which was the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. Then we took a self guided driving tour around the battlefield. The last earthen works were less than 400 yards apart so they really were firing at point blank range. Unfortunately, it was too cold in the strong wind to walk around for very long.

After the driving tour, it was time to head off to Williamsburg and lunch with JJ Lightfoot. JJ is one of many special students that I have taught over the years. As you can tell, she is an Aggie -class of 2011 (Gig 'em!). The three of us had a delightful lunch and did some catching up.

Downtown Williamsburg is sandwiched between William & Mary University and the restored colonial village. So, after lunch we walked around part of the beautiful restored town.

Then it was time to head back to Norfolk to do some grocery shopping before turning in the rent car. We are planning on a 4-day trip to Washington, DC starting the day after tomorrow (?). So, this is our window of opportunity to fill up the refrigerator.








Day 157 in Norfolk, VA (Thursday, April 17, 2014)
aaaah, the sweet smell of oil in the engine room...
While the wind is hopefully blowing itself out, I took the opportunity to change the oil in both of the main diesel engines. We have a two way, 12 volt DC pump on top of a 5 gallon can. Attach the alligator clips to a 12 volt battery and plug in a hose that goes to the drain valve at the bottom of the crankcase. Turn on the pump, and a few minutes later the 3 gallons of oil have been removed. Then you can fill up the engine with 3 gallons of new oil. Now, reverse the pump and put the old oil into the empty gallon cans. Sounds easy and quick? Yup, but it is also dirty/messy, and if you are really (un)lucky, you can spill some oil into the bilge. Fortunately, after I had finished one engine, the Admiral reminded me that it was time to walk over to the mall to see the movie "Heaven is for real". Unfortunately, the other engine was still waiting for an oil change when we got back from the movie.

Normally, after a front like the one on Tuesday night moves through, the winds stay high for about 3 days. However, the weather forecasts for tomorrow (Day 158) predict north winds of (only?) 15 to 18 mph and waves of 2 to 2.5 feet. These are marginal conditions so we will take a closer look in the morning...