Mid-November...usually a slower time of the year for the Chesapeake Bay Table: Boating time is diminished as the days grow perceptually shorter and frequent cold-weather systems churn up the waters of the Bay and its tributaries. Then, too, are the year-end holidays when we make plans to spend time with our families. But November 2007 was shaping up to be a busy one for our Table: As noted elsewhere on this Blog, the Statsraad Lehmkuhl had come to port the week before the [United States] Thanksgiving holiday with a reception for our brothers from Savannah a few nights later. We had also received word that brother Heinz Scheel from the Lübeck-Travemünde Table of Germany would be coming to visit the next week. Travelling with his captive, Brigitte, it was a part of their US Brotherhood tour which had started with the New York Table earlier in the month.
At the Bay, we turned the car east and travelled toward the Atlantic ocean stopping along the way to enjoy a late lunch of fried scallops at the Surf Rider restaurant at Taylor's Landing Marina. The tour continued through First Landing State Park before heading south along Atlantic Avenue to the tourist area of the Virginia Beach oceanfront. After a brief walk along the boardwalk, Heinz asked to return to the car as his energy level was running low. Our final stop was at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens where we watched the sunset before returning to Captain Rocket Boy's house for a reception by the Table. Good food, camaraderie and a healthy dose of rhum brought some color back to Heinz's face. It had been a good day.
Where Tuesday had been the land tour, Wednesday was scheduled for the water tour. All brothers who could break from work met at Bay Point Marina and boarded Orza late in the morning. The sun was shining brightly and the day had warmed nicely. Brother Cruz eased his magnificent vessel from the slip and we headed out of Little Creek inlet. Once we cleared the inlet, the small wheel of the large vessel was turned over to Heinz as we moved westward along the south shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Once past Fort Wool, we headed toward the Elizabeth River. Having served in the German Navy, Heinz was keenly interested in the naval hardware in-port at the Norfolk Naval Base. He was especially impressed by the two Nimitz class aircraft carriers that were in port.
We moved down to the southern branch of the river and picked up brother Boats at his place of business. Then, Orza started the journey back, stopping briefly for a close inspection of the battleship Wisconsin. Brother Cruz brought Orza so close that he was asked to move away by a security guard on the main deck of the battleship. Assuring the guard he would do so, Cruz continued along the Wisconsin's hull to its bow where he made a stunning turn before heading out of the basin. We returned home at sunset and the crew dispersed. Heinz & Brigitte headed to the home of Cruz & Ann for lodging as they were scheduled to spend their first U.S. Thanksgiving with Ann's family the next day.
While I was not with them on Thursday, word has it they enjoyed the splendid event and were more than sufficiently fed. They departed for the Savannah Table on Friday morning and, after experiencing the U.S. version of the Autobahn (I-95), arrived there late in the day.
Heinz & Brigitte were treated to a Chesapeake Bay sunset as they drove into the area across the Chesapeake Bay/Bridge Tunnel late in the afternoon on Monday, November 19th. They were received at the home of our Captain that evening.
Tuesday shaped up to be a beautiful day for touring the area. It was my pleasure to be their tour guide. Arriving late for the beginning of our tour, I found Heinz in the grip of a cold. Not to be deterred by his rhinovirus, Heinz insisted on making the best of his time. After conferring with the couple, we started our tour of the area by heading to the south shore of the Bay. Heinz was amazed at the way we string our utility lines (electric, telephone, cable TV, etc.) on poles rather than bury them underground. I also learned that in Germany, the homes are not constructed of wood as they are here in the States.
Tuesday shaped up to be a beautiful day for touring the area. It was my pleasure to be their tour guide. Arriving late for the beginning of our tour, I found Heinz in the grip of a cold. Not to be deterred by his rhinovirus, Heinz insisted on making the best of his time. After conferring with the couple, we started our tour of the area by heading to the south shore of the Bay. Heinz was amazed at the way we string our utility lines (electric, telephone, cable TV, etc.) on poles rather than bury them underground. I also learned that in Germany, the homes are not constructed of wood as they are here in the States.
At the Bay, we turned the car east and travelled toward the Atlantic ocean stopping along the way to enjoy a late lunch of fried scallops at the Surf Rider restaurant at Taylor's Landing Marina. The tour continued through First Landing State Park before heading south along Atlantic Avenue to the tourist area of the Virginia Beach oceanfront. After a brief walk along the boardwalk, Heinz asked to return to the car as his energy level was running low. Our final stop was at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens where we watched the sunset before returning to Captain Rocket Boy's house for a reception by the Table. Good food, camaraderie and a healthy dose of rhum brought some color back to Heinz's face. It had been a good day.
Where Tuesday had been the land tour, Wednesday was scheduled for the water tour. All brothers who could break from work met at Bay Point Marina and boarded Orza late in the morning. The sun was shining brightly and the day had warmed nicely. Brother Cruz eased his magnificent vessel from the slip and we headed out of Little Creek inlet. Once we cleared the inlet, the small wheel of the large vessel was turned over to Heinz as we moved westward along the south shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Once past Fort Wool, we headed toward the Elizabeth River. Having served in the German Navy, Heinz was keenly interested in the naval hardware in-port at the Norfolk Naval Base. He was especially impressed by the two Nimitz class aircraft carriers that were in port.We moved down to the southern branch of the river and picked up brother Boats at his place of business. Then, Orza started the journey back, stopping briefly for a close inspection of the battleship Wisconsin. Brother Cruz brought Orza so close that he was asked to move away by a security guard on the main deck of the battleship. Assuring the guard he would do so, Cruz continued along the Wisconsin's hull to its bow where he made a stunning turn before heading out of the basin. We returned home at sunset and the crew dispersed. Heinz & Brigitte headed to the home of Cruz & Ann for lodging as they were scheduled to spend their first U.S. Thanksgiving with Ann's family the next day.
While I was not with them on Thursday, word has it they enjoyed the splendid event and were more than sufficiently fed. They departed for the Savannah Table on Friday morning and, after experiencing the U.S. version of the Autobahn (I-95), arrived there late in the day.
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