Fairfield Inn By Marriott Chesapeake

... work for the span of only one week. On November 2, in an early morning conversation, the weather router agreed that a November 4 departure seemed one of the better options for that week and the 4-5 day sail the crossing would entail. Bob quickly arranged flights that day for his crew to arrive at Norfolk the following afternoon. We spent the balance of the day on shopping ventures with Bob to include WalMart, Lowe's, and a ...

... bringing the beast with us. The marketers could appreciate our sponsorship decals we post all over the RV.
I was not too worried about Josh's first competition. He could have warmed up at the first two which should have taken place before the Dawn of the Shred. Hotline Surf and Skate moved their dates to November 14th, which we already have left town for that, and WRV's competition ...

... three years on the Bay, but we were able to raft our first night there. Dave reinstalled the jacklines on the boat in preparation for our ocean crossing. We stayed at Jackson Creek the following day due to strong winds from the south that were unfavorable for heading south to Norfolk. We would await a wind shift to the north arriving that evening. We broke up the raft in anticipation of the shifting and strong winds coming our way.

We left ...

... few other deafies who also grew up with Josh.

We were all pretty tight that 6 of us went out and played a few rounds of paintball at the local paintball park in Virginia Beach. Boy did we all get welts on our body from both close range, and long range shots!! We played capture the flag, and each man for himself. Stayed for 3 or 4 hours, and finally went home. The next few days I was in excruciating pain in my ...

... were there and out went the lines. The mate was on his toes as he quickly set up 6 rigs. We were thinking we would be trolling for a half hour or more before we saw any action but that wasn't the case. To everybody's surprise the first rig went off just as the mate finished letting out the last line. And the reel was screaming too, we ...

We spent September 13 on a day sail with guests John, Jim and Charlene, Wally and Michelle. We sailed through the North Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel on N winds 10-15 kts, then sailed back via the south tunnel. We spotted a very impressive flock of rays along the way and enjoyed a nice lunch spread. Dave was happy to have plenty of helpers eager to take the helm and adjust sails.

We spent September 21 on a day sail with Dave's dad, Norma and brother ...

Finally—back to sailing! We've spent Labor Day week out cruising with Alize. We left Norfolk September 5 sailing on pleasant, sunny N NE 10-15 kt winds to the Severn River on Mobjack Bay. This was the first upwind "test" of our new main sail and rudders. We took a long tack across the Bay then headed for Mobjack. Caught only a couple small bluefish on the clark spoon – no keepers. The next day we headed to ...

... the diesel. I turn the key…dead. Batts look good…I try again…..no dice. Then I look and find the battery switches turned to the off position… ok. I try again….it cranks but wont fire. But after a bit of prompting the fuel pump in the engine room, the big diesel grunts and fires. First Forty roars to life. This was a great moment.

Soon we were pulling out of the shed and moving out the ...

... been. After making that decision, I met a bubbly girl named Kathy. I wasn't really looking for a reltionship, especially given the commitment I had made to go across the country. But it was really love at first sight for me. We dated for the few months leading up to my departure. It was really hard for me to leave her behind. More on that later. On to Grad School.

... Shindig" Stay at Grand Canal Hotel, Dublin Breakfast and dinner provided 3/22/08 Enjoy included breakfast at the Grand ...