Dick,
If something comes up again were I can't make the loop this year,
I will try to give you folks support again with 'stuff'.
I hope to be able to make the run. It has been on my bucket list since
1988; AND I live in the area.
As to the Richmond run, there is fuel 2 places close to Richmond by my
chart book: KINGSLANDS REACH & RICHMOND YACHT BASIN.
There are several others south & along the, or just off, the James River.
The Chickahominy River is a possible side run, but I would suggest this for
another time.
To make the run from Norfolk to Richmond and return to Smithfield would
have to be charted out for the time-lines. It may very well work out that
we would stay at one of the above marinas or someplace up north the first
night.
I would hope to have enough time to walk around that quaint city of
Smithfield and enjoy the ice cream shop. The food, though expensive, is
very good at the Smithfield Inn/Marina. We use to get a discount for
docking overnight while also eating there.
FYI, The Smithfield Marina/Inn is 40 NMs from my marina in Va. Beach.
Art