June 8, 2011 Alligator River Marina

When last we posted, we were in Solomons. We had a great time there, but on June 2, we moved on to Deltaville. We were going to Yorktown, but that is a very full day. In the old days, in the Rick 'N Roll II, this would be an easy day, but now, we are trying to conserve fuel and we only travel about 9.6 mph. This means that a 50 mile trip is at least 5 hours. So, we turned in at Deltaville and stayed two nights. The trip was 54 miles and the NW wind pushed us along nicely. We chose to stay the second night because the wave height was not advantageous!


On June 3, 2011, we traveled 29 miles to Yorktown over nearly glassy seas. This is one of our favorite stops. There is a lot to do here. Several things happened here this trip.

A. There were three Boston Whalers here that are making a trip from Norfolk to Boston in a month. They had no covers, fully exposed to the weather. They had a videographer on board to record the trip. The leader, John Mirassou, has written "Only in America", a recounting of his great loop trip in the mid-eighties on a 16 ft whaler.

B. We were sitting on the boat when someone knocked on the side and said "Betsy". We looked and saw two people that we did not know. It turns out to be the Craigs of Williamsburg and they had read our Loop Blog and happened to see our boat in the harbor (glad we kept the name Rick 'n Roll on the new boat!). They want to do the loop starting next year. We spent about an hour with them answering questions. Very nice people.

C. On Sunday June 5, we took the 3 FREE shuttles from Yorktown to Jamestown. We waited for the rain to stop, so we only had about 2.5 hours to visit. We went to the Jamestown Visitors Center and toured around the old fort with the adjacent museum of artifacts from the old city. They have unearthed over 1.5 million artifacts and about one-tenth of them are on display. It is really interesting and we plan to return when we have more time.

A short history lesson: Most Americans are taught that winning the Battle of Yorktown brought about the end of the Revolutionary War. This is basically true, but there is a "rest of the story". The English General Cornwallis and his troops occupied the Yorktown peninsula with their backs to the York River. Washington and the continental troops moved in and surrounded Yorktown, resulting in more of a siege than a battle. The only way Cornwallis could get supplies or move his men to safety was to have English ships sail up the York and land at Yorktown. However, the French navy, under the command of Admiral Francois Degrasse, with the planning of Washington, blockaded the York River with 23 French gunships. The blockade, constant siege, and dwindling supplies finally made Cornwallis surrender. With the major English army defeated, the end came swiftly. However, had it not been for the French, the patriots may very well have not won the Battle of Yorktown and the defeat of Washington's army could have spelled the end of the revolution, with the English winning. So, Americans owe a huge debt of gratitude to the French and Admiral Degrasse. Had he not helped and prevailed, we may very well be speaking the Queen's English today.

Docked next to the American Star

On June 6, 2011 we left Yorktown about 9:15 and headed for Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Great Bridge. After passing through the Great Bridge lock, we tied to the FREE dock in Great Bridge for the night. The only obstacle to this 50 mile run is timing all of the bridges openings along the way. Some open on the hour, some on the half-hour. Some open on demand. Sometimes you just have to wait. Several bridges don't open at all during morning and evening rush hour.

June 7, 2011. We leave the Great Bridge wall and travel to Coinjock Marina, a distance of 38 miles. As we arrive, we hear other looper boats about to dock at Midway Marina, also in Coinjock but on the other side of the ditch. Sure enough, it is Hank and Anne on Queens Revenge, Izzy and Jeff on Izzy R, and Owen and Mindy on SeaGrace. We had met all of these folks on our loop or at a rendezvous. The two marinas facilitated them coming to our marina for supper and then returning them to Midway Marina via a "water taxi" between the two marinas. As usual, the fried potato chips at the Coinjock Marina restaurant were "to die for". Coinjock Marina where we stayed is 25 cents a foot more than Midway Marina, but to have those potato chips there makes it worth it to Betsy!

June 8, 2011. We fuel up the boat with 175 gallons of Diesel at $3.73 per gallon. Do the math. We then leave Coinjock for Alligator River Marina, a distance of about 35 miles. Along the way, we cross the Albemarle Sound on a typical Albemarle Sound day. Waves 2-3 with an occasional 4, right on the the beam. Winds about 12 knots. It actually laid down a bit as we went and by the time we arrive at the marina at 1:30, it is very comefortable. Recording the stats for the day, we note that we have put 100 hours on the new boat and about 700 miles.