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Fishing boat departing out from Norfolk. We left our slip
about sunup, as we do each day.
We departed Willoughby Harbor Marina on my birthday, Nov 26.
It's been below freezing every morning, so we've stayed in Marinas for
the power & heat.
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We head up the Elizabeth River on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW),
going past the Naval Station there at Portsmouth Va. LOTS of ships.
This is Mile Marker 00 of the ICW (ICW MM00), and about 1200 miles to Miami.
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We kept having helicopters fly right over us as we made our
way down the Navy docks.
There is a restricted line as you get close to the ships where you're not
supposed to pass.
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If you want to see more photos of ships at the Naval Base,
CLICK HERE.
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Tug going down the river to meet a freighter coming in.
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Freighter being Tugged into the Naval Station port.
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Check out all the military vehicles on top of the containers.
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There is a LOT of commercial freighter and tug traffic on the
Elizabeth River.
Norfolk and the Hamptons are major shipping ports.
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Navigational right of way rules change here.
Now it's the rule of "Tonnage".
He who is the biggest WINS and has the right of way!!!
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Wanna play chicken ??? - NOT -
(Greg's having a bad hair day on his birthday) |
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Waterside Marina in Norfolk, for cruising boats.
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Tidewater Yacht Marina across the river from
Waterside, also for cruising boats. We've stayed here several times, but
never at Waterside. We'd have come down here last night but it was almost
dark when we approached Norfolk, and this is another hour up the river.
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Beginning to leave Norfolk in our wake.
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Lisa & I think Pelicans are dignified (except when they land
of course),
and should have been made our national bird over the Eagle.
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There's another Navy shipyard further up the river here.
It looks like this is the major place for dry docking and repairs.
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Not too far upriver from these railroad bridges is where
we have to make a choice.
Either we go to the right (starboard - west) to go the Dismal Swamp Canal
route,
or we go straight to take the Currituck Sound route through the Outer Banks.
We took the Currituck Sound round, although we've done the Dismal Swamp
before and like that route too - it's just a bit longer.
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Waiting with a couple other boats for a bridge opening on the
ICW
( I think we had to wait 45 minutes for this one!)
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FINALLY - it opens. |
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Rule of tonnage again!
We move out of the way to let a barge pass and have first dibbs getting
into a lock.
We had only one lock on this route - the Great Bridge Lock, and went in
beside this barge.
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We're nestled into the Lock with the Tow and Barg, along with
two other pleasure boats. |
We just hope he can't slide over and crush us against the
lock wall!
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Lots of interesting nature sculptures along the waterway.
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An Eagle along the waterway, high up in a dead tree.
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Lisa getting the lines ready before we turn the corner and go
into Coinjock NC, where we'll spend the night.
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Midway Marina in Coinjock NC. Western side of the
waterway.
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The Coinjock Marina - a little further up the waterway
on the eastern side. |
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Lisa sits on the bow deck keeping an eye on the fuel gallon
count, as Greg pumps fuel.
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We splurged and ate at the Crab restaurant right there at the
Marina.
We were the only ones there that night (night before thanksgiving).
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Ahhhh - I feel so good after Lisa made me take a shower!
.... and I'm SO glad the engines have been running fine again now. :-) |
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Thurs Nov 27th (Thanksgiving).
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Heading out at Sunrise from Coinjock. We'll be crossing the
Albemarle Sound today and heading up the Alligator and Pungo Rivers.
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Heading South through the North River, south of Coinjock.
A creek along this river is where we picked up the 3 Tree Frog hitch
hikers back in 2001 going North. We kept them rather than turning them
loose because we didn't find them until we were well north and up into the
cold. They would have died if we'd let them loose then.
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As we approached Albemarle Sound,
the water was like glass. No wind this morning, but it was still below
freezing when we got up. |
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Alligator River - Pungo River Canal
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Tied up at Dowry Creek Marina, off Pungo River - close to
Bellhaven NC.
This is privately owned and run by Mary, and is a very friendly place. I'd
highly recommend it. We were invited to Thanksgiving dinner, courtesy of
Mary, in the clubhouse with the other boaters, Mary and her friends.
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Nov 28th, MV Nova. Sunrise. Dowry Creek Marina.
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Departing Dowry Creek Marina at sunrise.
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A good sailing day out today.
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Nice homes along the waterway today. NUMEROUS were for sale.
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Lisa got a nice shot of a 'nature sculpture" that looks like
some animal.
She can't figure out which one. Any suggestions?
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Coming up on ICW Mile Marker 200
Less than a mile from Town Creek Marina
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We saw our first Dolphins of this trip today - in the river
just approaching Beaufort. |
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One of the resident dock dogs (there was also a black and
chocolate lab), roams the dock randomly boarding boats to search for
goodies. At right he's getting off the sportfish boat right behind us.
Lisa says he looks like a happy dog.
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Arrive at Town Creek Marina, Beaufort NC, before 3:30pm, but
then do Chinese Fire Drill to get the courtesy car and run to the store and
back by 4:00pm. We'll be here for a few days while I travel to work, and
Lisa goes back to Columbus.
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