Spring 2013 ::: Short local trips until Summer -- James Leighton Croom

March 11, 2013 - a short day trip by Charlie, just to see if all things are working well.  Out of the marina and into the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River; then across to Scott's Creek . . . and back to Ocean Marine.

April 14, 2013 - Bonnie and Charlie took Carol and Sam Morgan for an afternoon cruise down to the "Pool" and the Dismal Swamp Canal.

April 22, 2013 - We celebrated the 93rd birthday of James Leighton Croom, Bonnie's father.

Leighton with his daughters Judy and Bonnie.

Family and friends around the table to celebrate his 93rd.

 

The birthday Man!

 

 

June 4, 2013, on board SONATA for a day cruise, Leighton and Joyce.

Just three weeks later Leighton went home to his Lord God in Heaven, June 27, 2013.  What a terrific man.  Lived a full life and I enjoyed every bit of the time I was with him.  He was a great help on SONATA, a former Navy man, WWII, and could fix anything.  Gave me much needed advice along the way.  I miss him!

February 7 - 28, 2013 ::: SONATA's Water Tanks

SONATA's water tanks have been in place since the vessel was first constructed in 1984.  Yes, they are stainless steel . . . but that does no mean they will not rust.  Pin holes had developed in a couple of tanks so renewal was the new project.  On the recommendation of Mike Ewing (SOUTHERN COMFORT) Drake Welding and Fabrication was selected as the business to make the new tanks.  Atlantic Yacht gave me an off-the-cuff estimate of their repair costs, take out, build, replace, at the bargain price of $35,000.  Decided it could be done for less.

Old tanks were removed and picked up by DRAKE.  While the tanks were out the space was cleaned and painted.  The wooden frames that supported the three tanks (2@85gal, 1@95gal) were removed and replaced with white oak framing as recommended by Harvey Orr.  Tanks were completed and returned to SONATA.

Rehabilitation of the space was completed and the new tanks were placed inside with new framing and plumbing.

Tanks installed, re-plumbed, and ready for service.  An outstanding cost savings!!

January 2, 2013 ::: SONATA off to the yard for some upkeep -- then off to Jamaica by air

 

 January 2, 2013, SONATA was again hauled out at Ocean Marine Yacht Center.  Work contemplated was bottom cleaning and painting, true the propellers (each were found with small curls at one blade tip), and close up "black-water" connection on starboard side.

Work was completed in fine order on January 10 and SONATA, Charlie at the wheel assisted by Leighton,  returned to her berth, B5, in the marina.

We then left town for Jamaica with Bonnie's tennis group . . . some shown on the bus below from the airport to the resort.

 

We had a "cabin" in the woods and a daily visitor that wanted to visit.  A great location and a beautiful time was enjoyed by everyone.

Christmas Pictures, 2012 ::: New Orleans & Virginia Beach

Susan, Phillip, and Susan's mother, Mary Beth.  At the Farmer's Market in Covington, La.

 

Anne joined Bonnie and Charlie in New Orleans for a week long visit and home tour.

 

 Bonnie and Charlie in Hotel tour of New Orleans Christmas Decorations

On the way home from New Orleans we stopped by the Biltmore in Ashville . . . lovely visit.

Christmas at Rhonda's home.  Bonnie's family all together.  A great time was enjoyed by all.

July 28, 2012 to Christmas Time ::: On and about the Chesapeake Bay, short trips

July 28, 2012 - Underway for a day to take Brandi and Taylor out for a ride.


August 6-8, 2012 - Departed for Suffolk, the Constance Wharf and moored near the Garden Hilton in downtown Suffolk.


August 26, 2012 - Off to Cape Charles Harbor Marina, then up to Onancock.  Dinner with Sue and Pete Pawlus.  Dick and Betty came aboard and we were off to Somers Cove Marina, Chrisfield, Md. 


September 3, 2012 - Then off to Annapolis for three days with a stop at Patuxent River NAS.  In a rain storm we drove Dick and Betty back to Onancock so they could pick up their car and return to Norfolk.


September 7, 2012 - To Rock Hall, Maryland.  Charlie hurt his leg in leaning over the rail to place a bike on the pier ... the rail was open and he fell onto the "Grand Banks" name plate.  Due to anticipated heavy weather, SONATA was underway on the 8th for an anchorage further south.


September 8, 2012 - Anchored in the West River, N38-51.607 W076-31.996 to await storm.  Anchored close to Western Shore, 8' water with 80' of chain to water's edge.  Front moved through with some 80 knot winds, lasted 15-20 minutes, plexiglass wind screen broke-off during winds.


September 11, 2012 - NAS Patuxent River, then to Smith Creek just inside the Potomac River, North.


September 13, 2012 - Chesapeake Boat Basin, Kilmarnock, Virginia.  Enjoyed Stew and Dianna Kaufman, CASUAL CLASS, joining us aboard SONATA for dinner.


September 16, 2012 - The Tides Inn then to the East River, Mobjack Bay; N37-24.857 W076-20.437; thence Ocean Marine.


October 3, 2012 - Scott and Dad out for an overnight, Eastern Branch of Elizabeth River, dingy to Thomas Murray House and area.


October 5, 2012 - Charlie and GrandPa to Portsmouth City Park for overnight.


End of November into late December, 2012 - Road trips Knoxville, Taylor, New Orleans, Jackson, Biltmore and then Christmas at Rhonda's.

July 25, 2012 ::: USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH passing Ocean Marine and SONATA

With a strong USCG presence, helos overhead, local law enforcement boats, and armed men aboard . . . the carrier CV77 came past Ocean Marine and SONATA. The carrier is so big that I tell the story that when I first see the carrier on the way to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard Portsmouth, I put on a pot of coffee. It perks, I drink it slowly, and by the time the coffee is gone the carrier has passed. A beautiful sight. America can be strong any time and any where it must.

June 1-6, 2012 ::: Up the bay with Leighton and Joyce Croom for a stop at Tidewater Inn

Just before Operation Sail we took a trip up the bay with company. We always enjoy a trip to and a stay at the Tides Inn. It was good to have Leighton and Joyce with us for the trip. Rhonda took Bonnie and Leighton fishing . . . they were successful. Bonnie cleaned up the fish, dropped them into the pan, and we had a terrific dinner of fresh fish, fried cornbread and the trimmings.

June 12, 2012 ::: Operation Sail, OPSAIL 2012, 200 year celebration Norfolk Harbor

For the pass in review portion of OPERATION SAIL 2012 we took SONATA to Hospital Point, just near Bouy 36. There we were in the center of the event and all the passing ships came just past us. This photo was sent to us by Scott, believe it was captured by the Virginian-Pilot newspaper.

The Coast Guard vessel EAGLE passing just beside SONATA.

This sailing vessel, from Peru, passed with their sailors on the yardarms.

After watching the passing ships and the fireworks of the evening we visited the BOUNTY which was docked pierside, pier A, at Ocean Marine.

May 12-19, 2012 ::: Taylor's High School Graduation

Travel over from Virginia Beach to Knoxville, Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, for Taylor's High School Graduation. Family parties at Brandi and Jonathan's with presents for Taylor to open and enjoy.

The actual graduation ceremony took place at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . . . Bonnie was excited.