Hampton Marina rendezvous for July 4th weekend





Looking down on Catalina (blue bimini) from rooftop at Hampton Marina
 

July 4, 2013--- Rendezvous weekend with the Williamsburg, Colonial Power Squadron and our Virginia Beach Squadron at Hampton Marina in Hampton, Virginia.  Lovely one hour journey up to Hampton with no difficulties.  Hot, but nice on the water.  Stayed two nights in the marina.  Nice walk into town for a lunch at Venture, recommended by our dock-neighbors, Marc and Ray. 

Scott relaxing at Hampton Marina
(actually studying boat manuals)

 The first night, everyone pitched in for a potluck on the dock.  Good way to meet some of our squadron members and people from the Williamsburg contingent too.  We enjoyed some friends that we already knew--Joyce and Wolfgang and Monika and Joe.  Monika brought along her 80 year old mother, Renata, who loves to tell stories and has lots of them!  Another of our power squadron members, Jamie and Jennifer Switzer, invited everyone aboard their 56 foot Hatteras for cocktails on our last evening.  Very impressive vessel, great living quarters, decorated to the nines.  Jamie and Jennifer are live-aboards.  Jennifer is a personal chef (which comes in handy for super quality of life while living aboard) and Jamie is an engineer who does his own repairs and upgrades.  He has invested lots of time and energy into making his vessel a great place to live and travel.  They plan to even take her to the Mediterranean to cruise.

   Chrissy and John joined us for the voyage up to Hampton but couldn't stay.  John has limited visiting time at home due to being stationed in California and spending most of his time onboard the Coast Guard Cutter Waesche, on the Coast Guard's newest ships.

   Only one incident--Catalina got her first boo-boo while docked in Hampton.  Just before we left the dock, another boat came into the slip and caught their railing on our bow, due to high winds making for a difficult docking situation.  Scott and the other boat's captain traded contact information and we made for home with no further ado.  No loss of life or limb, not a show-stopper.

   Had a great ride home, good weather.  Scott docked Catalina stern first on first attempt.  Sweet success!