Spring 1996.  This picture is taken from our dock looking out at the bay.  Willoughby Marina is large and has many boats and good facilities for boaters.  Those of us who lived aboard had an interesting community because of the clubhouse.  We often met up there for drinks and get togethers.  It wasn't like the community in Mexico, but it was as close as we had come to one since getting back in US waters.  Spring of 1996 saw us getting ready for our Atlantic crossing.

From our slip back toward shore and the clubhouse.  Upper floor was a kitchen, lounge area and administration offices.  Lower floor was laundry and showers.  Also the maintenance area was on that lower floor.  Great place to hang out.  

​Jan and Feb 1996.  We had some real storms during that winter.  Snow, ice and wind made living on a boat a challenge.  We were in a slip in Willoughby Harbor Marina, which made it a little better, but we sometimes missed the balmy Caribbean and Mexican tropics.  A January storm clocked 40 to 50 mph winds.  A February storm clocked 90 mph winds.  Both storms saw boats and docks damaged.  Fortunately, Bijou came out of them without damage, but we were nervous and checking our situation regularly.  

Snow and ice were winter features in Norfolk, too.  We thought we had come far enough south to minimize those two winter adversities, but no.