We usually anchor in the Phoebus neighborhood of Hampton VA in both directions each year. It’s a great spot to rest after doing the hop outside coming south and a great spot to wait for a weather window to do the hop outside going north.

Last spring we finally went to shore and realized just how great a stop it is.

A wonderful dinghy dock for cruisers the town is welcoming. A few cute restaurants including some really nice ones that I’m going to visit after I’m solo ($50/plate) since I don’t think I can afford for all three of us to go there with the upcoming expenses for Ryan’s work.

There is also a grocery store less than a mile from the dinghy dock, not one, not two, but THREE bookstores in town. The public library is within walking distance, and there is a CVS with a UPS Access Point for getting mail.. I also discovered that there is an Amazon Locker within walking distance for small Amazon packages. Plus the maintenance guys at the catholic school just off the dock said we can use the spigot for as much water as we need.

I mentioned Ryan’s work which is why we’re here. Ryan should have already received the call to go for his STCW training, when he called to check in he discovered that his medical release needed a few more signatures, so off to the public library to print it out and then email it back. Apparently, the Apple Pencil signature wasn’t acceptable.

We’re hoping to hear this week on a date and we think this is the best spot for him to fly out of for training. Perhaps we’ll spring for a marina stay while we’re here so we can more easily shop at the stores in Norfolk VA for what he’s going to need, or perhaps stay at anchor so we can more easily afford the things he’s going to need. Mostly new clothes, and a new set of toiletries.

The latest we’ve gone south from here before was December 19th and I’m sure that he’ll have been flown out for his STCW by then. And we’re also going to use out time here to get Liam his TWIC card and his medical exam/drug test for his MMC application. It’s certainly going to be weird when they move off the boat.