I thought I would start out with an image shot after our return from our dinner cruise... This is the view of the harbor from our hotel!!

*JEN WIPING THE DROOL UP IN HER LAP FROM SO MUCH DRIPPING!!**

Jen-Super shot! What do you use for such clear shots at night? So cool to see from your motel, huh? Thanks for another great picture.

Jen isn't here, Debbie...

Wackopaul aka Paul L Brady

Sorry Paul! I guess I got it stuck in my brain that it was Jen posting...Was just so enthralled with the picture. I love the way the different colors are reflected in the water! My apologies and I promise I'll pay more attention next time.

Friday June 23, 2006



Some of the natives came out and fiddled us a welcome to Tidewater tune...


After a couple of long distance shots of New Point Comfort...


We stopped for lunch at the Pelican Cove..


Both Sue and I had salads, very tasty indeed!


When we arrived at base camp (Portsmouth Holiday Inn) it was like old home week.. First we ran into the Breens from Ohio then others as we checked in the hotel..


It was sprinkling a little as Terry and Ruthie lead the group to the boat just a very short walk from the hotel..


We are boarding for our dinner cruise of the harbor... A lot of renewing old friendships going on!


Dave welcoming the collectors aboard to the beginning of a very well organized weekend..

There was good food and even better story swapping.. A very nice beginning to the Tidewater weekend..


The view of the harbour from our hotel, just a great setting for our gathering...

Saturday June 24, 2006


Bill and Nancy enjoy the breakfast buffet at the start of the new day..


A room full of wackos having an early breakfast.. There was even more story swapping going on here..


Just trade in the room for a busload of wackos as we head to Virginia Beach and the boat to head out in the Atlantic first..


Ruthie seems to be leading the way once more...


A line of wackos anxious for the first lighthouse..


Up here will be the prime viewing spot most of the time...

A young boy proudly shows off his prize catch as we leave the marina for the ocean..


Bill and Frank Carbone no doubt discussing lighthouses as we head out to our first light of the day...


Inside it was nice and dry as the ocassional shower would drive most inside for a while..


A pair of Cape Henry's, a pair of pelicans and a pair of sunbathers (bottom left corner)..

Old Cape Henry and New Cape Henry


It is always great to see a lighthouse or in this case two, from the water... We will be back here on land on Sunday..


About 13 miles offshore we arrive at the Chesapeake Light Station (Texas Tower)..


This was the main lighthouse of the trip for me as I do believe it completes my 40 and 2..


It was important to see the light station now as it is to be demolished when the funds are raised..

The new skinny Chesapeake Bryan after he has lost one hundred pounds, you can see the light station behind him with no problem...


Carolyn Mcbee and Bob Ott discussing cameras or lighthouses, I am sure..


A quick stop at Cape Charles, still a ways out because it is really shallow around the island it is on...

Cape Charles


Next stop Thimble Shoal lighthouse...


Thimble Shoal guards the entrance to the Hampton roads area.. here's a link to a website that has a lot of great info about Thimble Shoal


Just one last picture of the light as we head on across the bay..


It rained most of the way across the bay to Old Point comfort but it did stop long enough for everyone to get a picture or two even though it was overcast.. We will also be back to Old Point Comfort by land on Sunday...


A quick stop at the Newport News Middle Ground Light where apparently the new owners had some help on board to clean up the light..

Middle Ground Light

It's not every day that you walk past a lightship on the way to your hotel just a block away..


Sue and Cindy discuss grandchildren as the Regional gets going with collectors having Bill and nancy sign their lighthouses..


Sue is getting our #14 Admiralty Lighthouse, which was purchased there from the The Sandollar Shop, signed by Bill and Nancy..


Carolyn McBee receives her newly won Gold Admiralty Lighthouse at the Regional!!

Sunday June 25, 2006


Sunday morning and the Marys along with Bill are preparing to board the buses for the days tour..


Dave out from behind his Foster Grants seems to be enjoying his conversation with JJ, before we head out..


The bus passes by the Middle Ground Light just before we enter the tunnel to Newport News..


Dave and driver Reggie are communicating with the second bus that is going the reverse direction on the tour for the day..

JJ leads the group from the bus to Canfield Hall at the United States Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown...


There is one of the largest collections of fresnel lenses housed in the lobby of the Canfield Hall..


It houses every order lens from this 1st on down except for the 3 1/2 order lens...
National Aids to Navigation Mueum


From inside the 1st order looking up...


Our host and the curator of the lenses, Tony Farr CWO4, welcomes the group and explains what we are seeing gathered in the atrium..


Bill had photographed most of this collection in the past and several have been produced by harbour Lights...


Every where you pointed your camera was another beautiful lens...


A bunch of Hoosier Lighthousing club members apparently head over heels looking at all of these fresnels...

Next stop Old Point Comfort, just a tad bit better weather today as the group lines up for the rare opportunity to climb this tower..
Old Point Comfort Lighthouse


Dave arraigned for the tower to be opened for those who wanted to climb..


A flower for Mombo!


Bill signs Lisa Cobb's HL Old Point Comfort while at Old Point Comfort...


Lisa and her husband, Lieutenant Colonel J.R. Cobb Jr., pose with Bill while holding a plaque which bears the names of all of the people who have ever lived at the keepers house since 1875, they being the current residents..


While we were at Old Point Comfort the other bus had lunch at a picnic grounds nearby then it was our turn for lunch while they went to the lighthouse and got to meet the Cobb's and climbed the tower..


Kat goes back in time after lunch and has a swinging good time doing it..


Onward and upward at New Cape Henry wit Kat and Larry leading the charge..

The view out towards where we were the day before in the boat in the Atlantic..


A look down the spiral staircase..


Then a look up the spiral staircase!!


Old Cape Henry looks just the same as when i first visited it when I was about 9 or 10 years old and the couple of times since, the last being in 1996..



The store at the base was new and the trees arund it are a whole lot taller than when I was a kid..

Just like HL sculpted them, together but yet apart..


New Cape Henry is in great condition!!


Kat wanted a Slurpie all day and finally driver reggie tricked Dave and stopped for Kat..

Kat toasting what was a Great weekend with her Slurpie is a fitting last image of the Blast of Tidewater 2006!! Welcome aboard , Tony Constantino (in front on the left)!

Thanks Dave!

Next Stop.... Portland 2006

Paul,

I'm enjoying the first postings greatly ... Thanks so much for the shots from the water, ones for sure I have never seen or taken ... The Chesapeake tower ... Cape Charles ... the pair of Henry's ... all superb ...

And, though off topic, the shot of the youngster holding up his fluke with dad and dog looking on ... that's just a great slice of real life ...

Look forward to the rest ... Barry

I'm so sorry I missed meeting up with all the familiar faces I see in the images. Looks like you all had a blast! And those storm clouds in a couple of the lighthouse shots are awesome...I would have been a 'whoopin so loud, the entire Bay would have heard me!! Looking forward to seeing more!

Terrific pictures, Paul! I especially liked those of Thimble Shoal, the fishing family (Barry put it very well), the harbor from the hotel, the beautiful spiral staircase in New Cape Henry, and Bill signing Lisa Cobb's Old Point Comfort. We were on the second bus and she was still bubbling over with happiness that Bill had visited. She had been told to look for the "redheaded lady" so I introduced her to Nancy.

Thanks for sharing the many, wonderful moments which you captured in your pictures.

Excellent shots Paul--can feel the vibes of a group enjoying one another's company.

Sandy

All of the images with captions are done... I hope you enjoy them just half as much as Sue and I enjoyed the time with our friends and fellow collectors at Tidewater 2006 this past weekend!!

Paul, Thanks for sharing the weekend with those of us who couldn't attend. The photos are gorgeous as usual and it looks like everyone had a great time. The opportunity to visit the collection of lenses is bonus.
Thanks again for sharing. Judy

Great report, Paul!

Thanks for the photos Paul. I sure wish that I could have been there.

We had such a great time in Tidewater. This trip was very well put together thanks to Dave. Looking forward to the Maine trip in October. More fun, fun!

As usual, Dave put together a really great trip, but we knew he would! What could be more fun than a weekend filled with lighthouses! Thanks, Dave.

Paul,

Thanks for the pictures and report on the Regional. Great photos and it looks like everyone had a great time. Dave did his usual outstanding job.

I wondered who that nice looking young man was on the boat! I had no clue Brian lost that much weight! Brian, you look FABULOUS!!!!

Omagosh, that's Bryan???!!! When I first looked at the uncaptioned photos I saw Ken and wondered where his side-kick was. Bryan you look great! But one question. Are those shorts you're wearing or some sort of skirt?

Sure looks like a great time was had by all.
Thanks Paul for your report and super photos...and for my flower.

Thanks for the nice comments everyone..

I guess I should explain for those who haven't met Chesapeake Bryan in the past... Bryan has lost one hundred pounds, yep 100 lbs!!! Good going Bryan!!

Congratulations on your weight loss, Bryan. It must have been a lot of work.

And Dave, the event at Tidewater was fantastic beyond words. The trip to Virginia convinced me to go to Maine.

Unfortunately, I managed to gain FIVE pounds from eating all your food and candy. Of course, you didn't exactly force me.

Paul, your pictures are wonderful.

bobo

Wonderful shots, as usual, Paul - Thank you for sharing them.

MJ and I just returned home tonight (July 1st) after spending extra days doing the outer banks and several Chesapeake lights and Life Saving Stations with friends Ron & Shirley Drummer, Frank & Carolyn Carbone, and Bob Taylor (all serious Harbour Lights Collectors and fellow NELL Members). It was great to be with everyone at the Regional. I hope to post some images and will provide a link in the next several days.

Way to go Bryan!! Keep up the good work, you are an inspiration for others wishing they could do the same.

A Huge Thanks to Dave Hannum!!!

Ron
(CT Keeper)

Paul,

Thanks so much for the fabulous photos. Sure wish we could have been there. Now the Maine event is tempting just seeing all the Wackos and great lights. That museum looked great. How do I find out more about the activities happening in Maine in October?
Judy

Email Dave...

dhannum@sbcglobal.net

Great pictures... loved to see all the people! IT is so nice to put a face to the names!

Judy,

Although originally I had intended not to travel to Maine, the Tidewater festivities convinced me otherwise. I've already sent the money to Dave. I believe it will be dollars well spent.

Hope to see you there.

bobo

Bob, I think a lot of people changed their minds about Maine after going to Tidewater. Dave's events are more than anyone can possibly resist. We always have a fantastic time. Glad you're joining us!

You did it again Paul!
A wonderful pictorial of the Tidewater trip.

My mother and I had a great time. Many, many thanks to Dave for arranging this event!!!!!

Was glad that Tony Constantino attended. Very interesting, friendly fellow to speak to.

Paul, thanks so much for posting your photos of a terrific weekend. It's now the eve of July 6, and I'm still going back through them.

And Dave, what can I say? You rock! I've heard lots of stories about your fantastic event/trip planning and now I know first hand.

Looking forward to Maine.