Emporia, Virginia to Norfolk, Virginia and the Atlantic coast

I CAN’T help feeling like our arrival at the coast was a little bit of an anti-climax.

We left Newport Beach in California a week and a half ago and we have driven east every day since, crossing Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia.

Driving up to the end of Virginia Beach Boulevard and seeing Atlantic Avenue and the ocean in front of us was supposed to be significant but it got lost in our quest to find a decent hotel and my reaction to the Blackpool-like feel of the resort. I should know to expect brash commercialism, especially in America, but I didn’t start to feel better until we had driven another ten miles along the coast to Norfolk and found a much quieter location.

Our hotel is right on the beach and has a pool, so this afternoon I went for one long walk with Bill and then another on my own. I got some sun and started to unwind.

We’re here for two nights and tomorrow’s weather forecast is good.

Emporia to Virginia Beach = 132 miles.