Hampton, VA Snowbird Rendezvous

It has been a busy week since our last blog post.  Much has happened - good and bad.  We left Hampton on Saturday with friends to attend the SAIL ICW (Inter-Coastal Waterway) seminar at the Annapolis Boat Show on Sunday.  The seminar was very informative and well done.  Of course, we had to have crab cakes at Chick and Ruth’s and malted milk shakes.

On Sunday morning, Carla got word that she needed to get to Nashville due to a death in the family.  Fortunately, we were able to get her a direct flight and she arrived in Nashville five hours later.  

Dwayne returned to Hampton to tend to the boat and participate in the Hampton Snowbird Rendezvous.

Go to the following link to learn more about the Hampton Snowbird Rendezvous:

http://www.hamptonrendezvous.com/

 and follow us on the SAIL ICW Rally.

http://icw.sailmagazine.com/blog/

http://icw.sailmagazine.com/blog/10/welcomed-by-the-hampton-snowbird-rendezvous/

Fifty-seven boats registered for the Hampton Snowbird Rendezvous.  About half were sailboats and the remainder were power boats or trawlers.  It made for an interesting mix.  The Hampton Chamber of Commerce and business sponsors made us feel very welcome and amazed us with their hospitality and generosity.  Thursday night it was possible to take a harbor tour on the local tour boat, Miss Hampton II.  In the evening there was a Sundowner Welcome Reception at the Grey Goose with lots of hors d’oeuvres and cocktails (all complimentary, i.e. free).  The door prizes were numerous and the grand prize which was worth over $1,000 in services at the Deltaville Yachting Center was won by George and Ann, the couple who rode with us to Annapolis.

Friday was filled with seminars on topics related to vessel maintenance/preparation and navigating the ICW.  We had a wonderful buffet lunch and received many goodies in our welcome bags.  The day ended with dinner, live music, dancing and loads of fun at the Hampton Yacht Club.  The appetizers and dinner were superb – oysters on the half shell, clams, crab balls, lump crab, veggies, pasta dishes and cakes.  Once again, the door prizes were numerous.  Dwayne won two complimentary tickets for admission to the Hampton History Museum.