We spent the first nine days of August waiting for the enclosure for the flybridge. And then, it arrived on Jim's birthday as a very nice surprise. The pictures taken in the shed didn't look great, so you'll have to wait until later in this blog to see the new hardtop and enclosure. As it turned out, it was also Duncan's birthday (S/V Talisa). We had quite a nice crowd at the picnic area for drinks, appetizers, dinner, and birthday cake.

The next day, Su and Trish of M/V Penola-Gray went to Williamsburg for lunch and shopping. It was a wonderful day for walking around the historic city.

On Monday, August 15, we cruised from Deltaville to Hampton Public Piers and spent several days just relaxing. Although the shed protected us from heat all summer, it was great being able to walk out and look up at the sky. This was the scene that greeted us one afternoon after a brief shower. This really is the life!

On Thursday, August 18, we left Hampton and cruised up the James River to the Pagan River into Smithfield, VA -- the HAM city. As always, we look forward to taking pictures when cruising through areas that are new to us. Well, here is the James River with smoke from the bog fires in NC. Visibility was about a half mile; however, the smell is annoying after awhile.

We docked at Smithfield Station which has a marina, inn, pool, restaurant, and shops. That night we dined at the restaurant and couldn't resist trying the Station burger -- Smithfield ham, burger, cheddar cheese, Smithfield bacon, and jumbo lump crab meat. Yes, it was delicious; however, it was a once-in-a-lifetime meal!!

On Friday, August 19, we walked through Windsor Castle park to the historic downtown. Windsor Castle park is made up of over 3.8 miles of walking trails, mountain bike path, fishing pier, kayak/canoe launch, picnic area, dog park, orchard, and the Manor House. It takes up 208 acreas of which most was the Windsor Castle farm established in 1637 by Arthur Smith, an ancestor of the town's founder, Arthur Smith IV. It is unknown how the name Windsor Castle became attached to the property.

Once we were on Main Street, we were surrounded by Victorian homes. This one was built by a local contractor for his family around 1899. He built many of Smithfield's elaborate Victorian residences and some of the left-over pieces are said to have been used in his own home.

We toured the Isle of Wight County Courthouse which was built in 1750 from land owned by Arthur Smith of Windsor Castle. It features a distinctive semicircular apse popular in English churches of the era. We stopped in at the Visitor's Center to pick up brochures and view artwork by local artisans. We wandered in and out of shops including the HAM store. And lastly, we toured the Isle of Wight County Museum which is the home of the world's oldest edible cured ham. The 1902 pork product exemplifies the patented Smithfield curing process. It may also be the home of the world's oldest peanut -- 1820 is written on the shell.

Friends that we made in Deltaville -- Lin & Cheryl on M/V Cherlin and Art and Gail on M/V Reel Blonde came into Smithfield Station on Friday afternoon. They invited us to join the Nansemond River Power Squadron festivities for the weekend. Friday night we had drinks, appetizers, and dinner on the dock with enough food to feed a small country. On Saturday, August 2o, we had Bloody Marys and breakfast on the dock and then dinner in Smithfield Station.

And here is Palmetto Moon with her new look!

On Sunday, August 21, we left Smithfield and cruised down the Pagan River to the James River to the Elizabeth River to Portsmouth. Once again, we had south winds and heavy smoke, so all pictures look blurred. On Monday, August 22, Full Throttle started work, and we started to worry about Hurricane Irene.

On Tuesday, August 23, there was a 5.9 EARTHQUAKE near Richmond which Su felt sitting in the salon. It felt like both feet were on anti-lock brakes! On Wednesday, August 24, Full Throttle finished their work, and we decided to head south.

On Thursday, August 25, we pulled into Shed #1 at Atlantic Yacht Basin in Chesapeake, VA, Mile 12.6 on the ICW. This was the view from our port side. There were probably 40 boats, some three deep, in the shed with us.

On Saturday, August 27, we woke up to rain and Irene rained and blew all day. We lost power several times but it came back on after an hour or two. Yes, we were lucky. All in all, we rose about 1 1/2 feet; although, we had lines tied every which way for going up or down. Someone out on the face dock clocked winds at 67 mph; however, we didn't feel that since we were in the shed. On Sunday, August 28, Irene was gone -- no wind and bright sunshine. However, we couldn't leave as the bridges north and south are closed to marine traffic, the railroad bridges are all in the down position, and the Great Bridge lock to the north was damaged....