Colonial Beach Yachting Center, Colonial Beach VA

(Thurs May 26 - Dist: 77.4; Avg Speed: 14.2 mph; TTT: 5:45 hrs)

Another long distance of travel today but all of it was up on plane at about 21 mph.  The first part was on the Chesapeake Bay and the remainder about 50 miles was up the Potomac River.  The river is very wide for the first half so going on plane was not an issue.   Around lunch time we did fall back to trawler speed, about 8 mph, so that Linda could make lunch and we could eat it peacefully.  While going slow we saw this tall ship going down river so I altered course so that we could get some close up photos.  We could see the whites of their eyes, at least those that did not have a patch over them, but unfortunately this is the only photo that we got.  Operator error.

A short time later, just as we finished eating, a Coast Guard boat came over and two officers boarded us.  They wanted to do a vessel inspection.  I had no problem with that since I knew, thanks to the inspection at the ALGCA Rendezvous, that we were fully compliant and even exceeded US regulations.  The officer, however, got cold feet when he finally figured out that we were a foreign flagged vessel.  It was not obvious because I cover all of our flags when going fast in the boat so that they do not get shredded to pieces.  Anyway he did not want to do all of the extra paper work involved with checking a foreign vessel.  Fine with us so it was entertaining to watch them try to back back on their own boat.  It seems that standard operating procedures for both the Coast Guard and CBP (Customs and Border Protection) is to jump from boat to boat while both are moving slowly.  Well jumping down onto our swim platform was no problem but climbing the two and a half feet back onto their own boat was a different kettle of fish.  It took the two of them a good 10 minutes and they were soaking wet by the time they finally succeeded.  Oh well a harmless diversion.

We arrived at Colonial Beach in the early afternoon, got a pump out and settled down for the evening.  We decided not to go into town on this day because we thought that we might stay an extra night.  It was the start of the Memorial Day holiday weekend and the marina was to be filled to capacity.  We were supposedly OK for 2 nights but then had to get out.  Well, later in the day we were told that the boat with the reservations was coming in a day early so we would have to move.  No problem, we thought, we would just find another place between here and Washington and have a chance to explore another place.  WRONG.  It was the holiday weekend and it seems that it is the unofficial start of summer down here.  All transient slips were already booked.  Fortunately, we were able to get our slip in Washington early so the next morning we headed off for DC.

Dozier's Regatta Point, Deltaville VA

(Wed May 25 - Dist: 58.4 mi; Avg Speed: 10.8 mph; TTT: 5:25 hrs)

To continue on our journey north we had to pass the same areas that the Victory Rover took us on when touring the naval yards.  We said goodbye to Norfolk and to Portsmouth across the river.  The buildings in the second photo are of the Naval Hospital.  The small white building on the right was the original hospital built in 1927 if I remember correctly.

We passed the coal terminal where there were a number of ships being loaded including the Sunrise Serenity which was being towed from the dock in order to head out to sea.   Most of the coal which is mined from Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland is shipped from this terminal.

Also along the way we passed the largest Naval fuel depot, one of three container loading / unloading docks, and of course the Naval Station.  I believe that I already mentioned that it was the largest naval yard in the world. 

Once we were passed the naval station we were in Chesapeake Bay very near the entrance to the Atlantic Ocean.  It was a beautiful day, the winds were light and the Bay was flat.  We decide to go up on plane and enjoy the ride to Deltaville. 

We stayed at Dozier's Regatta Point Marina which was quite nice except that drinking water was scarce and actually comes from a reverse osmosis system.  In the end it was not really a problem because we could use the water from our on board tanks.  The pool was very nice and so was the veranda with the rocking chairs.  We did borrow the courtesy vehicle to go to West Marine and the grocery store.  It was a very small town.  This is another area where boats out number citizens by at least 3:1.  All in all a good stop for the night.



Waterside Marina, Norfolk VA

(Sunday May 22 - Dist: 51.2 mi; Avg Speed: 6.0 mph; TTT: 10 hrs)

As one nears Norfolk, there is little doubt that it is a busy port.  As we found out later it is also the largest naval station in the world.  On our way in we saw 2 aircraft carriers undergoing some kind of refit and numerous other navy ships in the multitude of dry docks along the Elizabeth River.  It was really quite exciting after waiting for two and a half hours for a railroad bridge to be repaired and opened for us. 

We also got quite a scare as we entered the harbor at Waterside.  As I was about to spin the boat in order to back into a slip, the starboard prop started banging so much that I had to take it out of gear.  After a few attempts to put it in forward and reverse without success, I informed the marine that we had a problem and that we would be going to the wall to check things out.  Well we docked OK on the one engine and lo and behold when we turned everything off a large piece of wood came up from under the boat.  Sure enough when I tried the engine everything seemed normal so we backed into our slip without any further excitement.

Norfolk is the begining of the ICW.  We reached Mile Marker 0 of the AICW (Atlantic Intra Coastal Waterway) about 4 PM.  To give you an idea of distance, Boot Key Harbor in Marathon where we spent January and February, is at MM 1195 almost 1200 miles south.

Along the way to Norfolk while waiting for a bridge and a lock to be opened, we noticed the "USS Sequoia".  USS Sequoia is a former United States presidential yacht used from Hebert Hoover to Jimmy Carter.  The ship was in good company too; the Canadian boat in the fore ground on the right is The Old Grouch.

Q's End is docked behind the bow of the American Rover tour ship.  Waterside Marina is in a great location near numerous restaurants including Hooters shown here next to the marina restrooms and Joe's Crab Shack and the Outback Steak House in the same complex.  Nauticus the museum was just across the park but I must say that we were quite disappointed in the layout (ie. none) and the themes.  The best part of the exhibits was actually outside and free.  The placards around the Battleship Wisconsin were descriptive and interesting, actually outlining everything that was described inside.

 

I have forgotten all of the impressive details but this battleship was built during WW II and saw action in the Korean, Vietnam and Gulf wars.  It was also decommissioned twice during that period but was re-instated and refurbished twice.  It now sits about 2 feet off the bottom of this canal next to the museum.  We actually took a boat tour of the naval ship yards and I am so glad we did.  It was most informative highlighting not only the ships that were in port but also describing interesting facts about each of them.  I will not be able to do justice in trying to relate some of these facts but I will post a number of photos for you.



Arleigh Burke (Aegis) Class guided missile destroyer Yorktown



Naval Supply Ships can be ready in 5 days.

Ticonderoga Class Missile Destroyer (CG-66) Hue City

Multi Purpose Amphibious Assualt Ship (LHD-7) Iwo Jima pushing off the dock for deployment.

LHD's are 2 nd in size only to an Aircraft Carrier.  They can carry a crew of 2200 and 1900 marines and equipment for deployment.  There are 7 surgical OR's and 500 hospital beds on board.

The USS Cole

As I said earlier this is a busy port.  This cruise ship got rather close to our cockpit while trying to turn around in the harbor.  Norfolk was an interesting stop, we loved all the action.

Coinjock Marina, Coinjock NC

(Sat May 21 - Dist: 83.4 mi; Avg Speed: 11.4 mph; TTT: 7:20 hrs)

No real photos here at Coinjock and no real town that we saw.  This marina is just a big long dock along the ICW but it is very popular mostly because of its location.  We travelled 83 miles today because the wind was calm and thus the Albemarle Sound was fairly flat, less than 1 foot waves.  There are many horror stories about crossing this relatively narrow (eg. 26 miles) sound but because it is so shallow and open to the ocean it tends to build up some nasty waves rather quickly.  Anyway for once we timed it right.

The Coinjock Marina despite being in a strategic location does it right.  They are very professional on the radio and in docking boats.  They had us crammed along the dock with only about 1-2 feet between boats.  The restaurant also does it right.  This night they were even more packed than normal since it was prom night at the local school.  Fortunately for us John and Zita from Winndecks had reservations and invited us to join them that evening.  We had a very enjoyable evening and the food, especially there famous prime rib, was very good. 

This was a good one night stop while travelling.

Dowery Creek Marina, Belhaven NC

(Friday May 20 - Dist: 51.3 mi; Avg Speed: 10.5 mph; TTT: 5:00 hrs)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINDA

Fortunately while in Oriental the girls found a nice shop (they always do) and I was able to purchase a birthday present for Linda.  I must say that the wrapping looks good but the necklace and earrings look even better on the birthday girl.

The Dowery Creek Marina is a fair ways outside of the town of Belhaven but then there is very little in Belhaven.  We did take the courtesy car into town only to find that the town is quite spread out with few active businesses.  We did manage to find a rather unique spot for lunch, "Wine and Words", which was quite good and we did find a grocery store to pick up some things.

The marina itself is very, very friendly.  The staff and locals have a impressive happy hour or potluck dinner every evening at 5:30 PM.  The hors d'oeuvres were superb and quite diverse.  The pool also looks like a good spot so I would high ly recommend staying here and bypass the town of Belhaven all together.

Oriental Marina & Inn, Oriental NC

(Thurs May 19 - Dist: 49.2 mi; Avg Speed: 8.8 mph; TTT: 5:50 hrs)

The Oriental Marina & Inn was a great place to stay in Oriental; Muskoka, no Adirondack, no Carolina (I don't know) chairs, a pool, a Tiki and a restaurant right behind the boat.  The town, all one block of it was right next door.
The Bean, the most popular coffee shop in the whole county was just across the street. Even boaters would dock for a few minutes and run in to get some coffee.  It was quite interesting to watch. 

Chris and Bruce from Bade Boomer joined us from another marina to first check out the Tiki bar then tour the town.  The seafood plant in town ensured that there were a number of fishing boats docked nearby.  We strolled around for a bit but the highlight was our dinner at M & M's Restaurant.  The soft shell crab was excellent and the Bade's surprised Linda with a birthday cake.  The locals were a hoot as well.  A most enjoyable afternoon.

It is a shame that we will be leaving the others.  Bade Boomer is going to wait a day for Lady Royal and the two of them will be going through the Dismal Swamp.  Linda and I have decided against going that route because it is so narrow and there are frequent problems with dead heads and stumps being kicked up and damaging props.  We are taking the conservative, safer route.  We are both kinda anxious to get to Washington now.

Casper's Marine, Swansboro NC

(Wed May 18 - Dist: 67 mi; Avg Speed: 9.4 mph; TTT: 7:00)

This was our next stop, Caspers Marine in Swansboro NC.  Linda and I are basically on our way to our next major destination, Norfolk.  Lady Royal and Bade Boomer are headed for the Dismal Swamp so we travelled together for this leg of our respective journeys.  Swansboro was actually a nice little, very little town.  One of the locals suggested the Icehouse Waterfront restaurant and it proved to be a good choice.  For a small town there were at least 3-4 other good looking choices for food.  It was late in the day so none of the shops were open (hooray) but it was an excellent stop to spend the night.

The 67 miles was a long day but there were a few interesting parts to the trip.  We passed a fairly large shrimping fleet along the way; one almost expected to see Bubba Gump or some one similar.  Unfortunately not.

We also passed an entrance or sound to the Atlantic Ocean where it was extremely shallow and narrow due to all of the shoaling.  There was much sand at that point so it was expected.  It still made travelling a wee bit scary and nerve wracking.