Navigator on the Loop: 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.