Once in a Blue Moon: Portsmouth, VA

Date: May 3, 2013

Days on the Cruise: 39

From: Ocean Marine Yacht Center, Portsmouth, VA

To: Ocean Marine Yacht Center, Portsmouth, VA

Statute Miles: 0.0

Time: 0.0 Hours

Cumulative Miles: 1,230.6

On Board: Chuck, Susan, Maggie, Trooper, Peanut

Had a great day doing Portsmouth. The weather was clear but cold with high winds even in the harbor. We walked several blocks from the Marina to High Street, which looks to be the main street in downtown. This is a beautiful tree lined street that reminds me a little of Alexandria, VA, near Washington.

Part of the Riverwalk along the waterfront in Portsmouth

Along the Riverwalk in Portsmouth

A Fresnel Lens from the Lighthouse on Hogg Island on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. This lens was manufactured in 1896 and is among the largest in the world. The Fresnel Lens was invented by Augustin Fresnel in the early 1800's. This lens has 250 prisms of optical glass.

Free public dock at the foot of High Street in Portsmouth

Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in an attractive building

Street scene along High Street

Street Scene along High Street

Parish Hall at the Episcopal Church

This street only allows parking by "backing" in

We walked up the street and found a great little cantina where we ate lunch. Had an interesting conversation with the owner who is still on active duty with the Navy and is a diver and an instructor. He told us of some of his experiences clearing mines and diving under Navy Ships. Very interesting.

After lunch, we shopped in some stores including a museum store that was dedicated to Virginia made arts and crafts. Had some beautiful things. We found a Dollar General Store right downtown that had an amazing selection of groceries. We bought three or four bags of provisions and took them back to the boat. When cruising like this, you have to take advantage of food stores close to the marinas.

For dinner, we ate at an authentic German restaurant on High Street. It was really good, and their selection of 350 biers was mind boggling. I chose a pale 13% bier that packed a pretty good punch.