Heading to Norfolk May 21, 2013

Since I've been remiss in getting this blog updated recently I figure I'd publish a more recent adventure while trying to coordinate the massive number of pictures and notes I have into something more readable. 

What a great little town Norfolk. I spent a few months here when I was in the Navy and it sure looks different now than it did back in 19 ... ah, mumble mumble.  Ok, 1970.  But I'm getting ahead of my self.

Empty dock in the morning

We were the 2nd to last boat to leave Coinjock marina.  And not until 8:40am which is a more optimal time for us than these past 7am departure times we've been doing.  We met some nice people there, Dona and Calvin off of New Fidelity a Nordhavn 57 were two.  I met Donna as she was standing by the fuel pump.  600+ gallons takes a while to pump.  Another couple were on a Fleming 55 docked right behind us (yes, I had to put out boat right if front of their Flemming and their Flemming is worth more than 10 of ours so I went very, very carefully).  We were actually docked between the two boats.  Guess we keep really good company.

When we left we pretty much had the dock to ourselves.  So taking advantage of the situation we practiced taking off without anyone undoing our dock lines.  It may be a work in progress, but we didn't smash into anything and while it may not have been a sight worthy of a Coast Guard boat handling training film, it got us off the dock and we were bestowed with another few grains of wisdom.  By the time we're 100, we'll be able to drive anything.

Fired up the water maker in Coinjock sound just north of Coinjock.  We lost a membrane earleir and so the water maker is running ojn only two of its three membranse which means it only makes about 50 gallons and hour not 80 or 90.  Have to run the generator too since it sucks a lot of power. 










This journey led us through the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, 20 some miles of ditch through forest lands with bridges!.  At least it was deep though so no shoaling worries.  Only saw 1 other boat through the whole thing and that boat passed us.  Yes, it was another sailboat.  And your correct if you've deduced that we will never be isseud a speeding citation. 

Going through a swing bridge

Into Virginia we began running into more bridges making the going slow since they open on the hour or half hour and the distance between the bridges isn't always conducive for a specific arrival time.  There seems to be more swing bridges than normal opening spans.  But the bridge tenders were all colorful characters and very nice.

Typical Swing Bridge

Not much vertical clearance.  The road ways never seemed too heavily traveled but nonetheless the bridges adhere to a fixed opening schedule.

Great Bridge

Went thru Great Bridge after idling around for 20 minutes.  Ever try keeping a big boat within a small area with wind and current undoing every steadying maneuver you attempt trying to stay within a small area and not crash into several other boats struggling to do the same?  That's how I spell fun!

After 20 minutes the bridge opened and everyone shoots through there right to the Virginia Cut Lock. The lock has a port side which is rubber coated walls and a starboard side with concrete walls.  We of course, chose the concert wall since we had fenders out and I, being right-handed, just figured that was the way to go.  No boat damage but the fenders were not all that useful.  Another lesson learned.

Virginia Cut Lock.

The nice Lockmaster lady was very helpful and even commented twice on how nice a dog we had.  Of course Cleo immediately leaped off the boat and began rolling in whatever fetid material she could find along the lock wall just as the lock doors closed bringing the official looking sign stating DO NOT LEAVE YOUR BOAT into clear view.  So the dog had a great time, the Lockmaster had another stupid boater story and Mary and I were snarling at each other trying to keep the boat from smashing into the lock wall as the surging water filled the lock. Cleo frolicked and rolled much to the chagrin of us but to the delight of the lock master lady.  As the gates opened to let us out Cleo, sensing her life maybe in danger, wisely leaped back on the boat just as the boat in front of us took off. 

Entering the Norfolk Shipping port through, what else, but another bridge.

Running into Norfolk one passes through an industrial area with much shipping and ship traffic.  Very interesting place.  BUt very busy.  It began raining again as we made the turn up the Elizabeth river so all my good ship pictures turned out awful. 

We passed a few Navy ships in dry dock and there were these ever vigilant security boats in front of every one.   If your course deviated towards them and the navy ships they'd turn towards you.  I chose to run a course as far from them as possible.

We anchored at hospital point which is right in front of a big hospital.  There are several marina's very close by and the USS Wisconsin (BB64) was right across the river.  There were about 6-7 boats in the anchorage and the weather was pretty settled so no worries.  We hauled the dinghy down to run Cleo over to a  park where the naval museum and battleship are located.  There is a little unused marina right next to the Wisconsin where we tied up.  Convenient!

BB64 is big, big ship.  Oddly it has teak decks, something us older boat owners shy away from.  The condo building surrounds the ship berth.













Seems our KVH satellite has ceased to provide a signal. I'm guessing our free-be DISH account has bit the dust.  Alan, the former owner is a sweet man.  He gave us free satellite TV through his DISH account until June and I think it's finally over.   Mary is almost devastated but is too tired to complain much.  I dont watch TV much at all so no loss for me.  But we will have to straighten out the DISH account stuff in the next few days.

These long 50 mile days though navigation challenges can be exhausting.  We went to bed early!