Kids and grandkids' great adventure on Moondance.

We have spent the last week at the Tidewater Marina, Portsmouth, VA.  Portsmouth is adjacent to the Elisabeth River, Mile 0 on the AICW. Claiborne, Addie, Luke and Jude have been with us, and we have not stopped!  Norfolk, VA is across the river from Portsmouth, and water taxies run back and forth all day, so we explored both cities.  Norfolk was having its annual Harborfest, so we saw all sorts of ships, pirates and military vessels.  The 30 minute fireworks display on Saturday was fantastic.  We went to Atlantic Beach, VA and did the beach.  Inland was Busch Gardens and Water Park, fantastic.  Portsmouth is home to the Virginia Children’s Museum, another great stop.  Norfolk has Nauticus a naval museum with hands on children exhibits, and the Battleship Wisconsin on display.  This has been a great place for the kids and grandkids to join us, and we didn't get to all the fun places!  We dropped them off at the airport today, and have been napping ever since….  Most of the pics are of the grandkids… after all we are proud grandparents!! Tomorrow we head to Yorktown, and will continue our more boring history posts.   From there we re-enter Chesapeake Bay and head slowly north toward Baltimore, then through the C&D Canal to the Delaware River, Cape May and New York City.

The USS Cole, which lost many sailors during a terrorist attack was in the Harborfest boat parade with all hands on deck in dress whites.  This area is rightfully proud of its naval history.  

These Army river boats ran mock attack runs, strafing our marina.  The simulated cannon fire was deafening.  

Simulated rescue by the Coast Guard. 

Nauticus is the building in the background. 

The marina pool was a hit!

On the water taxi.

With a dead soldier! 

The Army river boat. 

Luke the Pirate!

Or artist?

Many local boats rafted up for the fireworks display that night.  At the marina, we had a front row seat!  

Jude drives the firetruck at the Children s Museum.  

Busch Gardens.

Piloting a Tug at Nauticus.  

The Wisconsin participated in the battle of Iwo Jima, where my father was a naval forward observer in the Marines.  He would have directed fire from this ship, and others.  

Jude goes 100 mph then crashes.  This was his spot on Moondance.