Steve and Susan

Norfolk Navy Yards
N 39 56.938 W 076 20.127

Last night we had dinner at the home of our old friends Steve and Susan. Steve worked with me at PTI going way back to the 1970s. Among other things, we were sailing buddies. On time I insulted his Aquarius 23 boat and the next day he traded it for a Tanzer 27. Many years later, I bought the Tanzer 27 from Steve. Now it sits in Oneida Lake, NY owned by my son John.

Around 1998, Steve and Susan moved from Schenectady to Williamsburg. Not a bad choice by the look of things. They have a lovely house in a nice development, right on the fairway of a golf course. Not surprisingly, Steve gave up sailing and took up golfing. As I look at their back yard, I imagine a little girl living there setting up a lemonade stand to sell cold drinks to the golfers.

Steve quit PTI long before I did, and he struck out on his own as an independent consultant. That's a gutsy thing for anyone to do who isn't close to retirement. One has to earn a living off one's wit without support of anyone or of any firm backing you up. Advertising is done by word of mouth and by one's reputation. Steve has done very well at that. Now, he says that he works only half time. Good for you Steve, you're an inspiration to all consultant wannabes.

Susan is a nurse, and she too has gotten to the consulting level and she travels extensively.

Last year, Steve and Susan flew to Fairbanks and went on an expedition up the Dawson Highway northward. I was up in that same neighborhood 2 years ago with my son David and grandson Bobby. We went camping for Thanksgiving.

Anyhow, we had a great evening catching up with Steve and Susan. Thanks for the invitation.

Today there is no wind so we're motoring for the whole day. It is my intention to sail past Norfolk and past all its bridges and anchor for the night near the entrance to the Great Dismal Swamp Canal. I learned that the canal is still open, despite the drought. However they only have lockings at 0900 and 1500. We'll get the 0900 locking tomorrow morning, then spend tomorrow night in the canal. By Tuesday we should arrive in Elizabeth City.

According the to Coast Guard, there was a 20 foot boat that sank and three people missing last night near the mouth of the York River. They have been searching for them all night and in to the morning. It's a surprise how often incidents like that seem to happen. I wonder if it is a cast of hoax distress calls. Last night was completely calm, visibility was good, and there is no particular reason why a boat and crew should disappear in the middle of the bay.