largest concentrations of seafood businesses of its kind on the Bay. Dozens of boats come in and unload while we watch. One of the fish packing plants has a retail outlet, and a nice lady—”What can I get for you, darlin’?”—sells me some very nice shrimp. Perfect for our dinner on board.
Barb and I spend another night aboard, this time anchored at a peaceful spot in Deep Creek, and leave shortly after first light. A fall-like northerly breeze catches our sails as we parade—and then, as the wind picks up, race past—the miles-long city and a shoreline fringed with history. It’s been nice getting to know Newport News, New Port Newse, that mighty and mighty nice city along the James.
As soon as you enter Hampton Roads, the city begins to reveal itself. It’s sprawling, muscular and—from the water, at least—somewhat forbidding: a commercial fishing basin, a