Hospital Point Anchorage - Norfolk (SM0) to Hampton

It was damp, dreary and cold when we departed Norfolk bound for Hampton.  The wind was from the east and the steep, short period waves made our crossing of Hampton Roads less than enjoyable.  We put in at the Bluewater Yachting Center for the evening.  It is a bit nicer marina than the Hampton Municipal Marina.

After we had the boats settled in for the evening, Paul gave Dwayne a dinghy ride across the harbor to Settler's Landing so he could get the car which was parked in the municipal garage.  We made our resupply run and met with Frank and Carol for dinner at the Venture Kitchen and Bar on East Queens Way in Hampton.  Their pizza is really good.  After dinner, Frank and Carol followed us to the marina so they could take our car to their house to park until we return after docking at Herrington Harbour. So ended May 18.

Gun Casement at Fort Monroe

When we woke on May 19, we found the weather to be worsening.  It rained periodically.  The winds were increasing.  It was damp, cold and drearier than the day before.  While we were discussing whether to leave or stay another day, we were hailed by Mike and Robin aboard Sea Change who were passing by us on their way out of the harbor.  We hadn't seen them since Titusville, FL and they just happened to stop for fuel at the Bluewater Yachting Center.  They were bound for Solomons Island and planned to anchor in the Wicomico River for the evening.  We asked them to report back to us what they found for conditions on the Bay once they rounded Old Point Comfort and started heading north. Mike informed us it was nasty and a rough but doable ride. We decided to delay our departure from Hampton.  We left Bluewater Yachting Center and moved about 3 miles to the Old Point Comfort anchorage at Fort Monroe. Hakuna Matata was in a slip there and it was a well protected harbor.

We found good holding in the anchorage.  The rain stopped.  So, we launched the dinghy to head in to tour Fort Monroe and the Casement Museum.  Fort Monroe is the largest stone fort ever built in the United States and was an active military installation for nearly two hundred years.  It guards the navigation channel between the Chesapeake Bay and Hampton Roads. Fort Monroe was often referred to as the "Gibralter of Chesapeake Bay".

Quarters 1 - Fort Monroe

After our tour of Fort Monroe, we had an early dinner at The Deadrise which is a nice restaurant overlooking the Old Point Comfort Marina and our anchorage.  Carla had a blackened salmon sandwich and fries.  Dwayne had the grilled Yellowfin Tuna sandwich.  Paul had a juicy hamburger. The food was wonderfully well prepared and very tasty.  We'll be back when we pass through Hampton again.  After dinner we returned to the boats and settled in for the night.