Sailboat Adventure

As my readers are all aware, I have been on a little vacation for the past week. As I told Robin Leach, I didn't care where we went - I just wanted to get out of Dallas. So, he suggested Irvington, VA, a little town on the northern neck of the Chesapeake along the Rappahonock River. I said "Sure. Where the hell is that though?"

We started off flying into Baltimore, mainly because it had much better flight times than Richmond, VA (the closest airport). We had a little stop over at the chateau of Albster and Darren. This was the first time I had seen his place since he moved away from Dallas. Of course it was great getting to visit with them, but I fell in love with their new dog, a Chichaua named Obie. I have been trying to talk Robin Leach into getting us a dog for the past few months, and hopefully seeing how little Obie warmed up to him so much might have changed his mind! Robin and Albster got caught up on all the latest computer games, while Darren and I sat their making jokes about men who play computer games! Here are pics of Albster and I as well as little Obie:

We toured the city (I had never before been to Baltimore), got to see the medical center, then slowly made our way down the shore to the lovely city of Irvington, VA.

Now, Robin had warned me about this being a rather small town, but he didn't warn me as to this being a one stop sign town! Actually, there are a lot of little towns in the surrounding area and each one has unique character. The houses are all quaint and have the picture perfect surroundings. This would be a great place to have a little vacation house - maybe something like this:

The marina, where Valkyrie is stored, was comprised of an eclectic group of boat people, most of whom lived on their boats full time. I am not used to this part of Americana, but Robin fit right in. The group has cook-outs/happy hours every night by the water, with each person making a contribution. They sit around drinking cases of beer and telling stories of their adventures in far off lands. Everyone has a story and it is great to just sit back and take them in. Robin, days unshaven and drinking his Corona, obviously missed this part of his boat life a lot as he could sit there all night and shoot the shit. The other characters were Beverly and her husband Ray who lived on a houseboat and tended to the marina. There was Rick, a Canadian who had brought his boat there for repairs and who would soon be taking her to NYC. Then there was Cappie, an ancient looking guy who had lived on his sailboat for 25+ years. Recently, during a tornado, he had lost his mast. Franz was there with his family. He was a Southern California surfer turned professional sailboat racer who was preparing for an around the world sail with his wife and newborn baby. The owner of the marina, Andy is about 87 and still going strong despite his age. He acquired the marina accidentally, as he bought a local power company next door and moved his aluminum foundry business there. Of course we toured the foundry, watching Andy make aluminum wheels from scrap parts while Robin was explaining the large machines to me (I always forget that Robin is in fact an engineer). Here are some pics of us out at a local dive bar:

I was quite impressed with Valkyrie. I mean, I knew she had crossed oceans under the command of Robin, but I don't think I have ever been on a sailboat that big! I always wondered what type of person owns a boat like that when I had been on my sailing adventures in St. Thomas, and now I am in his arms every night! The boat has three cabins, two with double bunks and the main cabin with a double bed. It also has 2 bathrooms, though the tight fit took a little getting used to. Other that that, the boat has all the amenities of home - TV/DVD player, full bar, full library and music collection, a large galley completely stocked, etc. It might take a little work making it more comfortable and "girlie", but I could get used to living on the boat. Maybe I will retire down in St. John/St. Thomas after all in my huge sailboat!

We spent most of the days working on the boat, making repairs to the engine and doing other technical things. Actually, make that Robin spent the days working.

I merely propped my butt in the cockpit, working on my tan while I read some books I haven't had the time to read in the last few weeks. The first was Honeymoon with My Brother by Franz Wisner, a delightful memoir recounting a guy who was jilted at the alter and decided to go ahead with the planned honeymoon by taking his brother. This catapulted them into a two year trip around the world. The other book was One Hundred Years of Solitude, the Nobel Prize winning novel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Robin had been asking me to read this for a while now, and finally I get the chance. That guy has read EVERY classic book ever written so I have some catching up to do!

The rest of the time was spent shopping in the little towns, looking at antiques of old Virginia and art galleries. This place is filled with history. Hell, three U.S. presidents were born here. The local eateries were great, filled with local favor. By the end of the week, everyone at the local coffee shop thought we were locals and not two Dallasites who had just flown in for the week to enjoy their megayacht! I was kind of sad to see us leave - partly because this was Robin Leach's home for 5+ years and I knew it was hard for him to leave this place and partly because I was getting used to the boater's life.

Our next stop was Arlington, VA to see my friend Lando. We were sorority sisters in colleges and have only seen each other once since then. She's too busy being a "paper-pusher" for the government I suppose! Anyway, she has a great condo right in the heart of the city and within walking distance to "Yuppieville". We decided to go to Ireland's Four Courts, a little Irish Pub down the street, for dinner and to meet up with an old buddy of Robin's. Lando and I told stories from college and I got to hear about all of my friends and sorority sisters who were in the D.C. area. The next day we went shopping in the neighborhood. Hopefully I will get to see her again soon and not in another 3-4 years!

Finally, it was time to return to Dallas. We returned the rental car with 3 minutes to spare and checked our bags with 4 minutes to spare. That was the closest I had come to almost missing a flight in my life! When we returned to Dallas, we decided to continue this vagabond lifestyle and take public transportation home. I have never considered taking the lightrail or DART for even a split second, but after spending a week on a boat I said, "What the hell!" On the way over to the South Remote Parking lot at DFW to catch the train/bus, we struck up a conversation with a guy from Dallas who has missed his flight to San Jose because he had met a woman going to the same destination. Apparently, they had enjoyed the conversation so much that they sat there right through their departure. He offered to take us home, and she came along for the ride. We ended up at Sunset Lounge and laughed about our traveling adventures.

Well, the boat is in great condition now - the engine repaired, the batteries charged, the water tanks filled, etc. Our next trip back in a month or two will be fulltime sailing with our friends in the area. I can't wait!