We are Back…and Moving!

After six weeks at home and beyond, we have come back to Hampton Virginia to board Prime 11 once again. Of course, I would be an awful Nana if I didn’t share a few pictures of our wonderful week in South Haven, Michigan with our beautiful family. (If only we could have teleported Prime 11 there!)

While we were gone, thanks to our monitoring from afar, we knew the power was out for a while. Thanks to Bluewater Yachting Center for turning the power back on and discarding all freezer items. When we arrive, we ditch the remaining refrigerator items. Better to be safe than sorry! So, we are left with nothing. In the scenario that all goes as planned, this kind of worked out as we had the sensors, knew the issue and avoided any food poisoning. To complete the “as planned” scenario, we would have obtained our reserved rental car from the airport and restocked our galley at our convenience. However, news flash, even if you reserve a car with two companies, Hertz and Budget, they both will be dumbfounded that you actually expected to pick up a car. So NO car for us… or anyone for that matter. I have come up with a conspiracy theory regarding all this: If you find those elusive rental cars and open their trunks, you will find all the missing baby formula. 🤔

Despite the hiccups with the rental car, Uber worked perfectly fine, actually saving us money. Our remaining days in Hampton were filled with restocking, cleaning, addressing repairs and some engine maintenance. Of course the solenoid valve, after hundreds spent on a service call, was not under warranty and nor could they fix it. So, MacGyver Captain Tom, switched out the forward with the reverse. How often do you need reverse?? …I guess time will tell. Our last day was a hot one, so the amenity of a marina pool was most welcomed and enjoyed after several days of chores!

To Bluewater Yachting Center, thank you for hosting Prime 11 for nearly two months. We really appreciated your response when needed and definitely felt the boat was safe and watched over.

We leave bright and early Saturday, starting up the engine once again. We debated, due to the weather forecast, of heading up the Chesapeake Bay (longer by a couple 100 miles) instead of the Atlantic Coast. Final decision was made: the Atlantic looks good. Here we come Ocean City, Maryland!

Another first, we will cruise over cars, not under them. Our route today takes Prime 11 over a highway, situated 180 feet under the water. This is the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel. All these cranes above are part of the expansion increasing lanes to ease major congestion through this corridor. The tunnel connects Hampton, Virginia to Norfolk, Virginia. The cost of widening… only 3.3 billion, one of the most expensive infrastructure projects in the country. Just an amazing engineering feat!

The Ocean was a little lumpy, but not too bad. It took us approximately 5 hours to arrive into Ocean City. I didn’t see any dolphins or sharks, despite it even being shark week I think? We arrive on a Saturday, breaking our rules once again. Quite shocked that Ocean City, Maryland at 1 pm on a 90 degree sunny Saturday in July had boat congestion. 🤣

We enjoyed our stay at Sunset Marina, in WEST Ocean City. The locals make a big deal about being on the west side. Totally understand this West side thing, being a Cincinnati West Sider myself. We were assigned a slip on A dock which looks right out into the channel. During the day, with all the wake traffic from boats, our slip was a bit “rocky”. At night, it calmed down and all was good. For $4.50 ft. plus electric, it is a beautiful marina with great pools, on site restaurants and more within walking distance, a great workout room and even a game room with air hockey and ping pong.

We enjoyed our brief stay in Maryland. Now onto the Jersey Shore!