We're in Virginia!

After getting Tourist back in the water we made our way to Wrightsville Beach where we anchored for the night. Plenty of swing room all around and good holding. There was time enough to drop the dinghy in the water and head to shore. The dinghy dock was close to the activity center of the beach with restaurants and of course beach junk shops. Anyone need a boogey board? After the past few days we decided to try the Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill's margarita's. I didn't taste the first so I had to order another. Muy Bueno! Even better was the food topped by the best salsa Pam & I have tasted at any Mexican restaurant anywhere we've been! Both of us wished that we would have been stranded in Wrightsville Beach.

From Wrightsville Beach we moved on along the ICW timing our departure to make the bridge opening at the top of the hour in WB and then 5 miles later to catch the every half hour opening of the Figure 8 Bridge. Stressful!

Spotted this giraffe watching the boats go by. He never even blinked!

Our day concluded at Spooners Creek, just before Morehead City where we anchored for the night. Spooners Creek is quite developed since the Skipper Bob guide was printed but still had room for a few boats. Along the ride we travelled past Camp LeJune.

Fortunately the lights weren't flashing.

Some of the leftover military equipment along the waterway. Target practice?

Monday 5/9/11     Up early and on the move we travelled past Morehead City before there was much activity on the water. It wasn't long and we were on the Alligator River where we met our first barge in a long time.

Only 2 barges. Not very big by Mississippi River standards but still a reminder of home.

Our day ended at Deep Point anchorage in time to have a cigar and cocktail before dinner in spite of the impending rain.

Threatening rain at Deep Point anchorage.

Tuesday 5/10/11     Fog greeted us today as we woke up. Fortunately it didn't hang around long and we were underway by 7:30. We had an interesting crossing of the Albermarle Sound dodging the crab pots which were hard to see in the 2 to 3 foot waves. Along the way we passed the Navy blimp hanger below Elizabeth City, NC.



Touch and Go?

On the way in to Elizabeth City we were flown over several times by Coast Guard helicopters coming and going to the USCG Air Station nearby. Shortly afterwards we arrived in Elizabeth City, famous in the cruising world for there hospitality towards boaters. The city provides free dock space for 48 hours and is famous for their rose buddies who over the years have given roses to the women arriving on the boats.

 Elizabeth City waterfront.

Unfortunately we missed out on the roses. Our mission in EC was laundry so off to the laundromat we went. What excitement! To top off the day we took a taxi to Wal-Mart to re-provision. In between our outings we picked up three more boats behind us on the sea wall. Cruisers flock to this place like flies on ____!

There's another boat behind these two!

Wednesday 5/11/11     Today we entered the Dismal Swamp. Back on the Albermarle Sound we had to choose between one of two routes. The Virginia Cut route which is quicker, or the Dismal Swamp route which is slower and shallower. We made the 8:30am bridge opening at EC and continued up the winding path to South Mills Lock in time for the 11am opening.

Dismal Swamp Route.

North Carolina tree stand?

Following fellow loopers Jenny & Jerry on Sweetgrass from Charleston, SC. into the lock.

Not long after locking through we arrived at the Dismal Swamp Visitors Center. Our destination for the day. By the end of the day we had 7 boats tied off at the visitor center. Friendly people in the center and in the boats around us made this a good stop. Additionally Pam & I got our exercise in the form of the loaner bikes they had at the center. The highlight of the bike ride was hearing Pam scream when she saw a snake trying to cross the bike trail! Sorry. She wouldn't let me stop for a picture.

Rafted at the Dismal Swamp Visitor Center.

Thursday 5/12/11     An 8am departure saw us idling up the Dismal. It's no wake all the way and shallow. The water is tainted from the tanic acid from the trees and vegetation bordering the canal and it's stain can be seen on the bow of many boats.

Passed this deer looking for a way to get back up the bank.

 We made it to Virginia!

We passed through the Deep Creek lock and rejoined the ICW at Chesapeake, Va. Not long after we had to wait and follow a tanker being escorted up the Elizabeth River on it's way to the Atlantic.

I hope he fits!

We passed the Navy yards at Portsmouth and soon arrived at Nauticus Marina which is right downtown Norfolk and operated by Waterside Marina (http://www.watersidemarina.com/) next door. Nauticus is like having our own private marina with only a few slips right next to the Nauticus Museum and in the shadows of the USS Wisconsin battleship.

Portsmouth Navy yard.