July 6

If after a visit you didn’t remember anything else about Reedville, VA, I promise you, the ghastly odor emitting from the Omega Protein fish processing plant there is simply unforgettable.  It greeted us as we entered the Cockrell Creek channel, permeated our overnight dockage, and Dennis said it was still with him 10 miles after leaving the port this morning.  This small town is 2^nd only to Dutch Harbor Alaska in the amount of fish landed each year, and they claim the odor at the plant is better after installing a stack scrubber in 2010.  We’re giving them the benefit of the doubt though, saying the extreme heat has probably intensified the problem.  It takes second place only to Baltimore in intense olfactory discomfort we have encountered on this trip.

On the bright side, the people there are extremely friendly and the seafood at the Crazy Crab restaurant perched above the marina excellent.  Unable to raise the harbor master on the radio, we finally called the restaurant on the phone and they assisted us with where to dock when we arrived.  Reedville Marina was definitely a “do-it-yourself” place from fuel to pump out.  We were grateful for the $3.50 price at the pump for diesel, taking on 40 gallon after five days of travel.  The panoramic view of the creek from the restaurant, and later in the evening a spectacular fireworks display somewhat outweighed the plant stench carried in by the earlier breezes.

Our travel time from St. Michaels that morning was 10½ hours with some 5-8 SSW breezes.  We were pleasantly surprised by 88 degree temperatures making the trip from the eastern to western shore of the Chesapeake enjoyable.

July 7

Passing “Mile 0” today meant an end to our Chesapeake travels.  Another sixty-eight mile trip put us in Norfolk by 2:30, a day made shorter by a gift of 10 mph SSW winds and +1 knot of current.  Wind always makes for a cooler day, having to hose down Fritz only once. 

The Ocean Marine Yacht Center in Portsmouth across the river from Norfolk is our port for tonight.  The harbor master asked when we got here if we came for the concert.  We having no clue replied, “What concert?”  He said, “ You picked a good night, Crosby, Still and Nash, are at the pavilion right there,” pointing 100 yards, off our stern.  He continued, “Furthermore, people have booked in here tonight just to listen to the concert.” 

Wow, what a deal.  Tickets went for $60 each.  For us the price of the marina was $70, and we can hear the whole concert from the boat.  In fact, I hear them getting started now so will shorten this session and go join Dennis in the cockpit.   

Hope you’re having a great Saturday night wherever you are.  Thanks again for following along with us.