Prepare to be...

1. horrified
2. shocked
3. angry
4. really angry
5. despondent 

We have always loved the Northern Gulf Coast of the U.S. and always will. For us it was the ocean and beaches of our youth. From New Orleans to Gulf Shores, From Pensacola to Apalachicola, there is a way of life (and food) like no other. Good, talented, hard working folks. Fine food, fun, and music...

A gray day indeed...

Leaving Portsmouth, we ran out the ship's channel and turned to port at Thimble Shoal light.

Thimble Shoal Light

Heading for the Bay

Catching up from our last post... We left Norfolk and traveled all the way to Portsmouth; a trip of about a quarter of a mile.
I had some computer work to do, charts and stuff, so we moved to the less touristy side of the river. Tidewater Marina turned out to be a really good spot to sit for a few days. Good folks and a great restaurant....

Norfolk

After passing mile marker 0 on the waterway, we decided to stay at Waterside Marina in Downtown Norfolk. Pretty cool place. With the skyline view on one side and a Hooter's view on the other; this is an interesting Marina. Downtown has a lot to offer, but not on the 5th of July.

Sweet Virginia

But a little more about Beaufort, NC.
We had a nice night in Beaufort. It's a beautiful town and they take their heritage seriously. Pirates are everywhere.

Happy 4th Of July

North Carolina ICW

 Some beautiful homes

 Interesting sites along the waterway

This is definitely the scenic route. Lots of bridges that only open on the hour, so we ran all day slowly from bridge to bridge. Still we managed 110 miles.

Cape Fear

So we made into Cape Fear after another all night run. We are making great time.

Pulled an all-nighter...

And it was worth it. With a full moon night, our first run was Stuart to Brunswick, GA. A trip of about 270 miles from marina to marina.

Now the fun starts... again.

Seems just a few months ago we worried about Hurricane Season.
We waited it out last year while staying aboard Istaboa. Luckily, nothing happened. Then we went home to a domestic hurricane of sorts. Ill mothers and ill business made for a less than enjoyable stay at Rocky Point. Although we did make the best of it.
We spent more time in health care facilities and know more about Medicare, Medicaid's scary power, VA benefits, hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and finally hospice; we could write a how to guide on the logistics of caring for the helplessly ill.
So now it's officially the 2010 Hurricane Season.
and check this out...

 This one should not affect us here on the east coast but our friends in Guatemala will definitely be getting a boat wash. (Hold on Clyde, Mia, and Kaiser, we hope the blow is not bad up in the Rio Dulce River.)
Wonder what this will do to the mess in the gulf. Probably emulsify it like a crude oil vinaigrette.

Our plans have changed a bit as of a few days ago. Times being the way they are, making every dollar count; we were able to save a considerable amount on insurance by taking Istaboa north. At least north of the Georgia border line. Just for a few months then we will come back home to Stuart.
Since we didn't cruise the islands this year and my mother is being taken very good care of... Let's do a bit of cruising. We have never been north of Brunswick, Ga, so maybe cruising  the Chesapeake Bay will prove to be interesting. We're sure it will be.

We will keep you posted.

Adios,


Istaboa