Norfolk is an amazing city to see from the water. Everything seems massive. Aircraft Carriers are the first things you see when entering the harbor. The work being done along this waterfront is impressive.
How cool is this?
There are a hundred different types of cranes (I didn’t count). Who doesn’t love this stuff?
We anchored directly across from the Norfolk cruise ship terminal. There was a cruise ship docked when we arrived, and just as we were relaxing on the bow with a glass of wine things started heating up on the ship. Loud music and a ‘DJ/Announcer’ screaming in German had us very concerned that our peace and tranquility were gone. However, the ship quickly got underway, and it was a treat to watch them turn that ship around (without the help of tugs) in this small basin.
We didn’t take a picture of the ship, but the next morning we were greeted with this beautiful sunrise for the begining of our trip south on the ICW (Intracostal Waterway). Norfolk is where the ICW begins...Statute Mile 0
We are definitely part of the great migration! There are so many boats heading south that 17 boats passed through the Great Bridge Lock at one time. The lockmasters there didn’t waist a foot of space. Keith and I were very happy to pass through a ‘real’ lock that functioned as we expected👍
Eddie and Gail joined us for dinner and route planning, and captured this great shot of Right Hand anchored on the North River. The spot we selected to anchor offered good protection from the north wind and would have received a 5 star rating if not for the Mayfly swarm we experienced. As dinner progressed we quickly realized that open windows would not be an option. However, the scene quickly turned ‘horror movie’ish’ when the glass was completely covered with flies and they were working their way into the boat through cracks and gaps. I had to grab a roll of painters tape to seal all entry points while Keith got the vacuum to rid the interior of unwelcome guests. The next morning the boat was covered with both dead and live flies and millions (we didn’t count them) of dark green poop specks. I had first helm shift that morning so Keith spent the first two hours power washing the boat. Rivers of green ran down the gunwales.
Say hello to our little friends! This picture does not represent the swarm we experienced. These are a few stragglers left behind after the exorcism of their brethren. On a happy note, the internet says that Mayfly swarms are a good indication of a healthy ecosystem😁
Once we crossed Albemarle Sound the characteristics of the ICW (also called the ditch) shine through. The waterway is a narrow meandering trail that leads through marshes, forests, towns, and larger bodies of water like rivers and sounds.
Many areas have characteristics of old swamps.
I love seeing the turtles lined up on logs!
We have been taking our time and slowly moving south when weather/winds are favorable, and for the most part we have experienced very calm conditions. However, on the day we entered Pamlico Sound we had fairly strong winds blowing from the north building waves in the Sound. That particular day happened to be a laundry day, and as we were beating into the waves I became concerned that the spray coming up from the bow might get salt water on the clean laundry...so...since I was on helm duty, I asked Keith to bring the clothes in from the line.
The movement of the boat from the wave action required him to hold on with one hand while scooting around on his butt to get the clothes. Every time the bow dropped off the top of a wave he briefly became ‘airborne’ until he dropped down to rejoin the deck. He did manage to save all of the clothes from salt spray! However, watching this scene from the bridge resulted in sore ribs and sore cheeks on my part.
I haven’t laughed that hard in a very very long time!
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