We made it to Norfolk

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Because of the wind and rain we stayed inside the boat most of Easter Sunday. Sometime in the afternoon our new friends Paul and Stephanie from Infinite Sea arrived at our marina and we enjoyed docktails with them on Navigator. We are sure to become known as the popcorn people at docktails. With our stir crazy popcorn popper on board we make a fresh hot batch for docktails and have needed to made a second batch more than once.

We left Wrightsville Beach on Easter Monday morning. It was still windy but the forecast was for improving weather. We were planning to stay overnight at Beaufort, NC. Because of the wind and waves I didn't like the looks of the channel buoys going from the intra costal to Beaufort so we continued on to Oriental, NC. Crossing the Pamlico Sound wasn't much of an issue even with the wind and waves, it wasn't that far and our speed made it a quick trip.

Oriental was somewhat of a disappointment. We had both been interested in Oriental before we bought our condo in Fort Myers Beach. Now we know why the property seemed so reasonable. It was a great overnight stop. The staff was very hospitable, fuel prices were acceptable and the marina was out of the wind and waves.

In the morning Jan decided we would make another nearly one hundred mile day and our goal was the Alligator Marina just before Albamarle Sound. We had a good start and while we were traveling on the Alligator River I noticed the waves building. Since we were going with the waves the boat was riding very smoothly. No problem for us until after calling the Alligator River swing bridge we were told the bridge was broken and that maintenance was on the way. That is when I realized the waves were larger than I thought. I went out on the bow of the boat and got the anchor down. Just as the anchor was grabbing Jan announced that the bridge had called on the radio and was opening for us and a sailboat coming from the other direction. We pulled up the anchor and got through the bridge promptly before it closed again for who knows how long. The Alligator River Marina just on the other side of the bridge was a welcome home for the night. After dinner a couple we had seen at Georgetown stopped over and we had a nice visit with them.

The following morning we departed early for Norfolk. The Albemarle Sound wasn't as pleasant as the Pamlico Sound. We had approximately fifteen miles of open water to cross. The waves were probably around three feet and choppy. Traveling at around twenty knots we crossed in less than an hour. About three quarters of the way across the bilge alarm sounded and didn't stop for quite a while. It was rough enough that I didn't want to leave Jan at the helm, even though the auto pilot was on, to check the bilge. When we got closer to the smoother side the alarm stopped for a brief time and then started again. It is an annoying sound by design. Since it was calmer I went into the lazzertte to check it out and found no water at all. Upon further inspection I found a piece of debries under the float causing it to run the pump and sound the alarm. Great news even if the alarm was annoying.

We opted to go the easterly route to Norfolk to save time over the Dismal Swamp route. We will decide later if we should back track and do the Dismal Swamp. Again it was windy and cold. Driving from inside has become the norm. Arriving into Norfolk we followed Abbotsford III, a power catamaran that obviously had experience in the area. It was a lot easier following someone than figuring out everything for ourselves. There were a few bridges that we needed opened and one lock to transit. By following them they had the timing down and we avoided the hurry up and wait that we surely would have done.

After clearing the lock and bridges we arrived in Norfolk. As the pictures below show we left the wilderness behind for a bustling waterfront and city with lots of Navy and commercial ships.

Arriving at Waterside Marina was a little nervous because of the ever present wind. We were given instructions and proceeded into the marina which had almost no protection from the wind. I am not sure how I got the boat docked but I did thanks to expert assistance by Jan and two dock hands. I had to back the boat into a slip not much wider than the boat between a finger pier and another boat, all the while the wind was trying to blow me onto the dock. I got the stern of our boat just barley into the slip and the dock hands took over. I helped keep the boat straight going into the slip with the bow thruster and engines. What a relief!!!

Later Jan and I explored the city a little looking for a restaurant until we came upon a mall. We ate at the food court and Jan was already planning the next day of "retail therapy". While Jan shopped I completed some more projects on the never ending "to do" list. After going into the waves on the sound I really needed to wash off the salt from the boat among other things.

On Friday morning we took a taxi to the Norfolk airport and flew to Chicago for Jack's first birthday party. It has been great seeing everyone again and seeing Bob and Maria's new, to them, house for the first time. Thursday takes us to Phoenix for Jan's nephews wedding and back to Norfolk on Saturday for the five day AGLCA Rendezvous.

Until next time, We wish health and safe travels to all our followers on the blog.

Some day I will learn how to better crop these photos.

If you look at the right side of the house you will see a giraffe. 

What is that all about?

These people obviously love bright colors.

Check out the deck chairs also.

This has to be called the pink house

The best use yet for a junk outboard.

This is actually an unusual restaurant.

Sunset at the Alligator River Marina

Or was it sunrise, I can't remember

We needed to pass this barge and sailboat in this narrow waterway.

They were both very accommodating..

We followed the sailboat past the barge and then passed the sailboat.

Everyone appreciates cooperation

Notice the color of the wake.

Reminds us of the St. Croix River

I took this picture on the Alligator River north of Camp Lejeune.

Somewhere there is a black spec that is a military jet.

You could hear it a lot easier than see it. The waterway can be completely shut down at times for the marines to practice with live ammo. Luckily we were able to pass with no delays.

A bigger barge we passed in a much larger channel.

They were in for a rough ride in the Sound, although they were going with the wind.

A fishing fleet on the intra coastal

One if the bridges we needed opened

This one is being replaced with a new 65' high bridge.

We counted over 12 cranes working on the new bridge.

The small boat ahead is Abbotsford III, the 45' power catamaran that we followed. 

A large ship in Norfolk

Another of the many ships in Norfolk

There are a lot of ships here. Not used to that yet.

A Navy Ship in Norfolk

More Navy ships

Don't get too close. I am sure those guns are real!

This make us feel pretty small.

In the wind we had to come between that beautiful 75' boat and that dock.

The captain was nervous and was standing by on his boat with a huge fender in hand.

I felt great when he turned away before I passed. Apparently he thought I was up to the task.

The stern.

The helm.

Notice the modern throttle / gear shifts and electronics.

Built in 1930, 75' 6" long, 13' beam, 4' draft.

Twin 825 hp turbo diesels. Cruises at 25 knots.

We came across this bagpipe band before we found the mall.

Georgetown to Wrightsville Beach, NC

We left Georgetown early and slowly followed three other looper boats to Osprey Marina just south of Myrtle Beach, SC. It was cold as we left but we again drove from inside. We traveled approximately 8 knots the entire way. That is considerably slower than we had been traveling. The fuel savings is substantial and we will travel slower more often in the future.  We opted to stay at Osprey because there is a bridge two miles north that we needed to have opened. The bridge doesn't open in high winds which we had. We enjoyed docktails with the other three boats. The marina wasn't near anything so we didn't get to explore the area. The resident alligator was only seen once by our group but our friends were very cautious with their small dog!

The bridge turned out to be a non issue. There was a sailboat that had requested an opening. I answered the bridge tenders call for any other boats in the area and he waited for us before opening for both of us. The sailboat, seeing we were a power boat actually called us on the radio and allowed us through the bridge first so we didn't have to pass them after the bridge. Very considerate of them and appreciated by us.

Myrtle Beach has one beautiful house after another on both sides of the waterway. All those docks, etc. made for slow going. Good thing I had practice going slow yesterday. We were about an hour behind one of the boats from the previous day. We both stayed at Southport Marina and attended the 6 PM daily weather and navigation briefing. The briefing was given by sailors and more oriented to their deeper draft vessels. The weather part was interesting and informative. After the briefing we went for a short walk with Stephanie and Paul from Infinite Sea to Fishy Fishy restaurant. We all enjoyed our food and the service was great even though they were very busy.

Friday morning Jan and I were undecided if we should stay or leave as wind and rain were predicted for the entire area. We decided to leave and traveled to Seapath Marina in Wrightsville Beach. That was a great decision. We got in early, the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. In the afternoon we used the courtesy car and went to Costco. After that we rode our bikes to a nearby grocery store and finished restocking the boat. We are set now until after we return from Chicago and Phoenix. Today Jan did laundry and I did miscellaneous projects, etc. We borrowed the car again and checked out this really nice area. 

Easter Sunday was cold and very windy. We used the courtesy car to attend church at 7:30 am and opted to stay another day in Wrightsville Beach. Did I emphasize the wind! OMG!

The Admiral and the Captain

April 15, 2014 - we met 44 years ago today.

The moon rising in Georgetown

This is the weather prediction for Georgetown

Luckily it wasn't that cold on the water. It was 41.3.

It wasn't 76 degrees inside the boat,  the thermometer was in the air flow of the heat pump.

The day after we left the Nina and Pinta arrived.

We had been docked across from the sailboat.

Thank you Lydia for the picture.

Beautiful condo or hotel near Myrtle Beach

This mannequin worked for us. It was placed near a no wake sign.

We were going slow but slowed even further when I saw him.

A large ship on the horizon.

We need to start making notes so we can describe locations better.

This unique sailboat was anchored along the way.

There was a person on board so we think he was just done traveling for the day.

Golfers crossed the river in gondolas to get from the parking lot to the course.

You can see their clubs in the exterior racks.

 

More golfers. Not being golfers ourselves, maybe this is a well known course.

We wouldn't know.

Another golf course along the waterway.

A lighthouse at a marina. This is for decoration not navigation.

WOW!!!

One of the few remaining ferries across the waterway.

Not sure I would want to use this one.

Ferry landing across the waterway

Sunset at Osprey Landing

You can see how calm it was here in this protected marina even though it was gusting above 25 knots.

This was interesting to see the Spanish moss in the cypress trees right beside our boat.

Another Navigator boat at Osprey Marina.

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Until next time Happy Easter everyone!

Charleston to Georgetown, SC

After a very nice stay at Port Royal Landing Marina we left for Charleston. There is a lot of shoaling between Beaufort and Charleston. The channel is narrow and shallow in some places we only had a foot or so of water under our boat. 

Since there was a sailboat race in Charleston we stayed at St. Johns Landing Marina. What a lucky break that was. It was another beautiful marina with extremely helpful staff. We even got in on a free meal of BBQ pork and chicken provided as a spring kick off by the marina. 

We docked behind Ithaka, a boat that did the loop last year with its former owners, whose blog I followed.

We borrowed the courtesy car and attended a beautiful church for Palm Sunday. After church and breakfast on the boat we got a ride from Joe in the courtesy car to downtown Charleston. Kayla in the ships store gave us many hints to enjoy downtown Charleston. King street was closed to vehicles and only open to pedestrians. There were lots and lots of people and many dogs walking. Many of the restaurants had tables on the sidewalk and even the edge of the road. After a carriage tour we ate at Nicks BBQ. Jan got to visit a graveyard and we saw a lot of historic places. Later we took a taxi back to the marina.

We left on Monday morning to Georgetown at almost high tide. That was a great help in transiting the areas of shoaling. We traveled in a light rain for much of the way, driving from inside with the wipers on. The tide current was ripping as we tied up for fuel and moved down the face dock for the night.

After a nap during more rain we unloaded the bicycles and rode around Georgetown. The rain stopped for the afternoon and evening. We got several pictures and Jan found a couple more graveyards to visit. There are thunderstorms and possible severe weather predicted today. We'll just stay put until the weather improves.

This crew boat passed us as we prepared to leave Port Royal Landing.

After we took their picture they paddled off so fast I couldn't get a video.

Beaufort, SC hospital, what a location!

The replica Nina and Pinta were in Beaufort.

The Nina was rebuilt actual size and the Pinta is a little larger that actual size.

At the ticket booth they were looking for crew.

How expensive must these long docks be?

At least they don't remove them for winter.

With the huge tide swings you can intentionally beach your boat at high tide and work 

on it while the tide is out. 

Here is a narrow and very shallow area.

Idle speed only here.

Infinite Sea, boaters we met previously, had to meet a barge in one of these narrow channels.

We thankfully didn't have the same experience.

This cute little boat was at St Johns Landing Marina

Another picture of the same cute little boat

There are so many old historic building in Charleston. This is the steeple from the oldest continuous congregation in Charleston.

This building was across the street from the building with the steeple.

One of the many horse drawn carriages in Charleston.

Jan found a graveyard to explore.

This Ladson family lost 6 childern ages 1 year, 1 year., 9 year, 10 months, 11 years. and 

17 years in a span of 11 years in the 1820's and 1830's

We learned that a graveyard is on the same property as a church and a cemetery is a separate property.

There is a lot of history here.

The reverse side of the above.

Statue of Calhoun in a beautiful park where we waited for the taxi.

There were a lot of college kids in the park playing Bocce ball and Frisbee.

On the Calhoun statue base

Cobblestone road we saw on the carriage ride, supposedly the longest remaining one in the US.

Part of Rainbow Row

The final part of Rainbow Row

Beautiful flowering bushes. Wow, spring was a long time coming this year.

Approaching the Battery

We learned that the battery is an area with lots of cannons to defend the city.

Carriage ride

More carriage ride

Beautiful blossoms!

Jan felt right in style with her hat.

Notice the ladies in the background all with hats

A house in Georgetown

A cement decoration on top of a gate  

Jan found another cemetery

Stores in Georgetown

There are T shirt shops everywhere.

This one reminded me of someone, can't name names though.

Beautiful moon rise over Georgetown.