AGLCA Rendezvous and Leaving Norfolk to Deltaville, VA

We left Norfolk on Friday, April 25th for Chicago. We rented a car and went to Maria and Bob's house to see them and Jack and their new, to them, house. On Saturday they had a large first birthday party for Jack. It was fun seeing everyone again even though we saw them all in February on our way to Florida. Two months seems like a long time considering how much we have done and how far we traveled by boat.

We enjoyed staying three nights at Mike's house, attending baseball games, soccer games and just being with all three Chicago Mertz Kids and their parents. We relocated to Maria and Bob's house for three more nights. Amy's family flew out for this weekend and we are grateful to have the cousins spend time together. John and Kristine rounded out the family and helped with kid entertainment. Tom likes a "to do" list and was 

able to cross off a few items for Bob and Maria.

Thursday we flew to Jan's nephew's wedding in Phoenix. Like most families it was a mini reunion. Thursday night we all went to Greasewood Flat to socialize with the wedding party. The wedding was Friday evening in a very nice venue. Again it was great seeing everyone. Saturday it was time to return to Norfolk for the Americas Great Loop Cruising Association Rendezvous.

We returned to the boat very late on Saturday night after an unexpected delay in Philadelphia. The marina had almost filled with boats since we left over a week earlier. Floyd, our next door boat neighbor was very helpful with returning our rental car to the airport. We met his wife Linda on Sunday after she returned from their home and grandchild in Wichita, Kansas. We quickly became friends with these "gold" loopers. Gold meaning they have completed the loop once.

Jan and I attended Mass on Sunday morning at the basilica in downtown Norfolk. WOW!!! What an experience. First, we were some of the few white people there and it was First Communion Sunday. Most of the parishioners were dressed much more formally that we are used to.  Their very large choir was all dressed in white robes and were very spirited in their music and movement. People were standing and literally dancing to the music. The service lasted an hour and a half it seemed to be over too soon. Everyone was extremely friendly. After our exit we felt like we should have paid admission.

The rendezvous began with registration on Monday afternoon. We enjoyed seminars and classes every day through Thursday. Lunch and dinner was included most days. The food was good but the deserts were spectacular.

Friday was a day of  mass exodus. The marina must have been almost empty after most of the loopers departed. We left later than many of the boats. We like to get up, get organized, have breakfast and then get going. Many of the boats are trawlers that can only go approximately ten miles per hour so they leave early and travel a long day.

On our way out of Norfolk we again saw the ever present Navy Ships etc. We finally had a decent weather day for boating. The temperature was 81 with not much wind from the south. That changed drastically when the wind changed to the north and the fog set in. Not only was our visibility diminished but the waves were rough. Luckily our boat can get up and ride reasonably smooth on top of the waves and we can diminish the amount of time before we are into our next port. Radar sure helped us in reduced visibility that day.

Around fifteen boats went to Doziers Regatta Point Marina in Deltaville, VA. They offered a looper special that included a discounted docking rate, wine, beer cheese, etc. on Friday evening, wine and beer at a pot luck diner on Saturday and a continental breakfast on Sunday morning. A lot of the boats left on Sunday and most of the rest of us left on Monday morning.

Deltaville is a quiet town with a tremendous amount of boating on the Chesapeake Bay. Jan and I rode our bicycles around the town and got groceries at the local market. 

Jack is getting some help blowing out his one candle

from Mom and cousin Lizzie with cousin Lauren looking on.

Grandma Jan and Daddy Bob are supervising.

It's safe to say he liked his birthday cake.

What a happy boy!

Grandpa, Grandma and Jack

Jan and her younger sister Mary in Mary's back yard in Scottsdale

The Admiral and Captain at the wedding.

Mary Jo, Jan and Lori. Three of the five Rahm girls.

The Choir at church.

We had ocean going ships, escorted by tugs, go right past us in our marina slip.

These are all looper boats. Navigator is in the middle across the way.

Panning around the marina from our boat. American Rover is a sailing ship that takes people out for excursions. Thursday night a group of young people went out for an eighth grade graduation party. Many of them were formally dressed. Must be a southern tradition. 

Pan # 2 Floyd and Linda's boat Tumbleweed with the flags.

I never asked but I would guess there is a flag from every state they traveled through.

Pan # 3

Pan # 4

Pan # 5

Pan # 6

Yes that is the Nina or Pinta across from us.

The American Rover with its sails up.

This is Waterside Marina from the river.

Yes, that is a canoe. We really have seen a lot of different sized vessels.

This small sailboat had three sails and couldn't have been more than twenty feet long.

It was really moving fast for a sailboat too.

An aircraft carrier in port.

We saw lots of these huge tug.

Battleship 72 called us on the VHF radio and asked for a port to port meeting. 

Really, did I have a choice?

We waved but all those men on deck must have been ordered not to wave.

This lighthouse is in the Chesapeake Bay.

Deltaville, settled in 1642.

Minnesota became a state in 1858, over 200 years later.

Spring is a beautiful time of year.

This beautiful looper boat is De De. She is home made by her owner couple.

Powered by a single 90 hp Yamaha. What a beautiful job they did on her.

Just before the pot luck on Saturday this storm blew through. 

It was extremely windy and rained really hard. Luckily it didn't last long.

Dozier's Regatta Point was almost full of Looper boats

Navigator across the way at Doziers Marina

Almost the same as Grandpa Mertz's runabout that I learned to water ski behind.

It even has a 35 hp motor. What memories.

Jan thought this was an unusual way to sell pickles.