When we first got to Norfolk, we dropped our bags at the hotel and rushed off to check out what Norfolk had to offer. We heard rumors of fireworks, and we were on a mission to find the nighttime delight, but unfortunately, it started to pour. That didn’t send us back to the hotel though… we were caught huddling with hundreds of other Virginians as we searched through downtown to find some live music. Even though we were soaked when we got to a local venue named “Hell’s Kitchen,” the music and camaraderie of the people inside warmed us right up.

Two days of shooting and hearing stories made us thirsty for more of the local Norfolk culture, and everyone kept recommending Harborfest. Imagine live music, dogs jumping into pools, pirate ships, delicious greasy food - it was all there, and yes, I’m already ready to make my return trip. I’ve already penciled in Harborfest 2012 in my calendar.
Thanks for having us, Norfolk!

-Ben

America’s Got Talent…

And that talent just so happened to stop by our trailer in a green minivan with the words “David Kennedy Tap Dancing Terror of Tidewater” printed on the windows.

Watch as the crew dances with this tap dancing legend who’s 84 years young and has high kicks that serve as an aha moment for us all.

-Natalie, the tap dancing apprentice

Any ice cream cone lovers out there?

If you answered yes to this then man, do we have a story for you. And if you answered no, I must question the sensibility of your taste buds.

To my cone connoisseurs of the world, I will have you know that Norfolk boasts the VERY FIRST ice cream cone maker in the entire universe. Do you have a headache yet, because I am pretty sure I just blew your mind. Yes, that’s right, Doumar’s invented the crispy complement to your cream that keeps your snack in tact. It’s like an edible koozie for dessert. What’s there not to love?

-Natalie

I love surprises.

You may already know this tidbit about me from my post on the surprise peach farm adventure in Macon, GA. But really… I love surprises like Gary loves his truck’s exterior body art. 

So you can imagine my elation when we checked into our Norfolk hotel, I do my routine chat up with the concierge, and BOOM! Surprise round 2. We happen to be in town for Norfolk’s finest waterfront celebration, Harbor Fest! Enjoy this quick clip of pirate ships, mermaids and dog jumping, oh my! 

-Natalie

Just call me Marlin Perkins, my dear Mutual of Omaha friend, because Wild Kingdom is overflowing into the aha moment tour Airstream.

Sure, people can be proud of their animals. Especially when the’ve had an aha moment related to their little Spot/Rover/Vesper/Fluffy/Shiloh/Seabiscuit. But Norfolk set a record for animals we had inside the airstream culminating in the chicken, Grace, above. Over the years we’ve filmed: labradors, terriers, photos of golden retrievers, SPCA’s, friends of P.E.T.A., farmers who gather eggs, dog trainers, dog whisperers, dog food makers, guide dogs, guard dogs, physically disabled dogs, birds, kittens, nursing baby bats, cats that scratched, slithering boa constrictors, dogs with heartworm and animals that alleviated heartache… we’ve had them all (save a horse*)

What I’m trying to say is that animals mean a lot to a lot of people. So when a local Norfolk woman, Lisa, tells me that she left Wall Street to pursue a more fulfilling life as a fourth-generation chicken farmer, that’s when I know that we should pay a bit more appreciation to the four-legged (or two-legged or no-legged) creatures that roam past us every day. And I asked Lisa—she feels a lot more fulfilled now.

If nothing else, watch some reruns of Lassie…

Missing my own Spot/Rover/Shiloh,

-Jess

*unless it’s a toy or winner of the Triple Crown, please save me a heart attack and don’t bring your horse:)