Spirit Ocean Adventure Update - Day 7

July 11, 2010

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The past 24 hours have been fantastic. Last night we had a short squall followed by a great double rainbow. This morning we had a chance to take a phytoplankton sample for Phytoplankton Monitoring Network and to test the water quality before entering the Chesapeake Bay. We also got to see some unusual guests aboard the ship this morning; three different and beautiful species of moths joined the vessel between dawn and noon today!

Our afternoon we spent learning Navigation with Mr. Eric and about estuaries with Ms. Haley as we made our way into Norfolk. We docked at dinner time and were able to spend the evening ashore on the Great Norfolk Photo Scavenger Hunt. Each team set out with a digital camera to get pictures with the mermaids decorating the city, a variety of public art, ferries, and other Norfolk specialties. The plan had been for the scavenger hunt to end at a local ice cream parlor, but it turns out that finding one open Sunday evening on Norfolk's waterfront is nearly impossible. Instead, Miss Beth found a grocery store and treated everyone to ice cream sundaes in a park near the ship. Before returning to the vessel for the night, each person shared their favorite moments of the trip so far and things they are looking forward to.

Some favorite moments included: meeting everyone, being below for the squall, trying to throw the perfect bucket, Miss Laura's meatloaf, seeing the shark, seeing dolphins, night watch, being in their individual watches, the rainbow, the lessons, dishes, the helm, snacks, getting hit by the flying fish, and being lookout.

Some things people are looking forward to: sailing up the coast, looking for whales in Stellwagen Bank (the most popular answer), practicing their navigational skills, getting more time to spend together, making more memories together.