Hampton, VA

White Pepper spent a delightful 6 weeks at the Customs House Marina in Hampton, VA. The initial reason to stay in Hampton was to spend time with old friends, Rick and Cindy from Dark Star and Steve and Val from Barefoot'N. However we were rewarded with many new friendships on the dock, Betty on Kanoa, Pete, David and Laura on Beaujolais, Woody and Chris, and others.

Part of the time in Hampton was spent on the many ongoing chores aboard the White Pepper. Jan fabricated new chaps for the dingy, Habanero 2. This was an immense effort that occupied 2 weeks and could not have been accomplished without Cindy's 1960's Kenmore sewing machine--”a beast”.

Karl cleaned the Racor. There was 25 years of muck in that fuel filter. He also filled in the waste water deck fill hole with fiberglass as it was no longer needed with the composting head. A 30 amp power inlet was replaced. Karl also addressed damage to the engine from the leaking and spraying so called drip less stuffing box (see previous posts for details.) The main sail was unbent and packed off to Doyle Sails of Hampton. There Jim ably repaired the batten pockets and leach line tape.

Destroyed old 30 amp power inlet.  Not quite sure why it dissolved.

Most of the 6 weeks was spent in sight seeing and parties. Hampton is a great party town. First there was the Pirate Festival in Hampton, then the Harborfest in Norfolk, and the Fourth of July holiday. And, of course there are weekly block parties in the restored old Hampton. We were twice invited aboard the bay tour boat, Miss Hampton, which we can highly recommend. Sundays were split between the ancient Methodist and Episcopal Churches. Both are still active and effective after 250 years. St. John's Episcopal Church is the oldest continuously active Protestant Church in North American and was the subject of a previous post.

We toured Jamestown and Yorktown for 2 days. Karl revisited the 1950's with visits to the Mariner's Museum, Fort Monroe, and the old home stead in Newport News.

Arresting statue of Pocahontas, reconstructed walls of Jamestowne in the background.

Modest house on Buxton Ave., Newport News possibly my home in 1956.

Finally it was time to leave. Sadly to be sure White Pepper took leave of her friends, hopefully to see them in the near future.

Customs House Marina from the Miss Hampton.