Mañana on the Loop: DISMAL SWAMP TO PORTSMOUTH

May 18- We are departing from the dock here at 8:00 am as we only have 30 miles to get to Portsmouth, Virginia today. It is a dull cool day- first time we are in longs and socks since Dunedin, Florida. We started with two engines but about 10 minutes down the river the port engine quit again. Dave went down for awhile but came up very frustrated, so I suggested he just sit and relax a few minutes then go tackle it again. He ended up putting the old fuel strainer back on and the engine started right up. We got into the last lock on the Dismal Swamp and the lock master told us of a place on the river called Top Rack Marina just 10 minutes away that had the cheapest fuel on the river. As we had to wait for a bridge to open at 1:00 pm anyway we decided to take advantage of the great fuel price of $1.73/gal. We just finished fueling and the harbor master was changing the fuel sign to read $1.83/gal- we just made it! We arrived at Ocean Marina in Portsmouth at 2:30 pm - this is home for Sonata. Charlie had his son and girlfriend aboard so went over to visit with them for awhile as we had not seen them since up on the Mississippi River. We assumed Charlie and Bonnie would be moving back to their condo, but apparently they stay on the boat until November. We are here for a couple of days as we are waiting for Bill and Bobbie (Mist) to catch up to us so we can begin our trip north. It is going to feel very strange not following that Grand Banks and we are feeling very sad that we will be saying goodbye very soon. They have been wonderful to us and I really don't know how we are going to ever thank them for their unwavering friendship and instruction on this trip. God Bless you both!