Hampton
Hospitality
From
Solomons MD, we hustled south with a couple long days to avoid the bay in windy
weather and holed up in Chisman Creek for a few nights on the hook. This gave us some time to catch up on chores without
the distraction of WIFI before we visited Hampton VA for their Snow Bird
Rendezvous. This second annual event was
a treat with special emphasis on good food, great seminars, and cruiser fun all
at a bargain price. The town of Hampton hosts this event to show case their
lovely downtown and waterfront. They pulled out the red carpet and made 80 or
so cruisers heading south feel welcome with great food, prizes, and seminars. Our
sessions included everything from essential electronics to the best frugal
stops on the ICW and how to navigate the biggest trouble spots. Although we
would not have stopped here but for this event, we have now become converted
fans.
Our
Snow Bird program also included a trip to the National Maritime Museum in
nearby Newport News which showcases the story of the Civil War battle of the
ironsides – USS Merrimack/Virginia and USS Monitor. It seems only appropriate since
this battle was fought in the waters of Hampton Roads at this strategic lower
end of the Chesapeake Bay. The replicas of these historic armored battleships
included crew cabins and the gun turrets plus artifacts from the Monitor
archeology site.
The
exhibit titled “Abandon Ship” was also interesting for those who live on the
water – including the stories of ship wreck survivors and the best equipment and
tools for improving the odds of surviving a disaster at sea.
From
Hampton VA we will head south for warmer weather – wind permitting – with a
stop next weekend in the outer banks.
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