Tuesday - June 7, 2011

Lat 37 33 65; Long 76 18 74; Fuel 123 gal; eng 842.30 - Dozier's Marina

This is a beautiful marina and as I mentioned yesterday, it reminds me of our home marina in Georgian bay - South Bay Cove. We left around 9:00 in the morning for Tangiers Island which we have been told is a beautiful little crabbing village located on an island in the middle of the Chesapeake. The seas were calm and we sailed across in a couple of hours and entered the channel separating Tangiers and Smith Island form the east. We had phoned the only marina on the island before hand and after several attempts, we got an answer that there was room. As we entered the channel, it got shallower and shallower as we got close to island and we rubbed bottom a couple of times but finally we got in. We traveled down the channel against a strong wind and current coming against us, radioing the marina but never received any reply. Finally we were told by someone else that the owner doesn't answer the VHF and we couldn't raise him on the phone. Trying to enter one of slips was very difficult as the current and wind was pushing the stern of the boat against the pilings. Then we tried to turn around and dock in the front of the marina and started moving sideways down the channel. I gave up and we decided to move on or to Solamans on the mainland. Never did hear from the marina owner. maybe he was asleep, but I decided I was not going to risk the boat by trying to enter a slip without some assistance given the conditions. Our observation, however was that Tangiers was a beautiful little place and would have been nice to visit.


Tangier Island










As we came out out the other side of the channel into the Chesapeake, the wind had picked up was coming from the south and we were running for about an hour with a beam sea. Not too bad, only two foot waves but Brenda got a little queasy during the trip. However once we reached the marker buoy set on my route we changed to a northerly course and the seas were coming from behind. Again not too bad but they did push the boat around a bit particularly towards the end of the day as the winds had picked up even more. As we were going up the Bay we saw this Navy warship on the right and it looked like it was sitting on land in the middle of the Bay. Turns out it is a bombing target for naval aviators. In the picture you can see it if you look hard.




it was a long day and we were glad to get into port. Went to dinner at the marina restaurant, watched the Blue Jays and went to bed.

Monday - June 6, 2011

Lat 36 50 63; Long 76 17 56; eng 834.27; 136 gallons.

We set out at 8 and proceeded down the Elizabeth River and as we did so we heard several notification that a couple of US Navy Warships were leaving just about the time we would have passed the Navel Yard, so we slowed down. It took us an hour and a half to get out into the Bay. It was interesting to see the ships move out of the piers and go ahead of us. Needless to say, we left them a lot of space. The warnings are very clear that you are not to approach or get close to the ships. As we were traveling down the river, a freighter was coming in accompanied by about 6 coast guard boats. In fact one of the coast guard boats requested that we travel right against the green line in order to stay as far away as possible. We learned later the ship was carrying gasoline.









Once we got out into Chesapeake Bay auto took us all the way to Doziers for the night along the route I had charted. . The seas were calm and the water deep so they were not problems, not even any crab pots in the water.

We arrived at Doziers around 3 and our first slip was about 12.5 feet wide which is the width of my boat. I managed to get just get in, but it was not good so they arranged for another slip which was a little wider. This is a very nice marina, which reminds me of our home marina in Georgian Bay - quiet and out in the country. A complete contrast to the Marina in Norfolk.

Sunday - June 5, 2011

Well we were all set to go this morning and around 7:30 the skies got black and we had a 3 hour thunderstorm. Winds came up, lightening flashed and the rains came down We decided to stay put and by the time it was finished we decided to stay another day which was fine as there was a lot happening including a Pride Festival which was interesting to say the least.






Met a new couple on Lifestyle II who had recently started the Loop so we had them over for cocktails and had a discussion about how to get into the Chesapeake. As they were leaving N II Wishin pulled in to the marina. We had a little chat with them and they had been over to the Bahamas and had a good time. Last time we saw them was in Marathon before we went home for a week.

At 5:30, there was a Bud Lite cruise on the big sailboat commercial sailboat also docked at the marina. Lots of beer was loaded and lots of people got on for the trip but as it was by invitation only, we did not go along.

Saturday - June 4, 2011

Stayed in Norfolk for another day. Brenda heard the City has a great botanical garden, so we went out for a tour. Since we didn't have a car, we took a taxi. Big mistake - the cost of the taxi both ways was over $60. Should have phoned Enterprise, however live and learn.

The garden was very impressive with a beautiful rose garden, although the roses were quite damaged by the current heat wave (in excess of 90 for the last week or so). Butterfly garden, a water place for kids to go and play and lots of interesting displays. One thing that comes across about Norfolk is that it is very family friendly. My observation is that they have done a lot to make it livable.



Mermaids are all over Norfolk

Friday June 3, 2011

Lat 36 43 22; Long 76 14 11; 132 gal eng 830.5, Oil and all filters changed. Atlantic Yacht Basin

We went over and got a pump out before we left, waited until the Great Bridge opened and moved down river. As soon as we finished going through the bridge, we entered a lock, albeit not much of a lock since it was only a two foot rise in water but being old hands in the locking process, there was not much of a problem. As we traveled down the river we ran into a number of bridges that we had to wait for an opening as they were only about 6 to 12 feet off the water. There were a number of boats ahead of us and since we were not in a hurry we did not pass. As we approached Norfolk the river got extremely busy with lots of dry docks and boats working the river. Passed a large helicopter landing craft or aircraft carrier (can't tell which, although the aircraft carrier is a lot larger, but I couldn't tell how big the ship was) getting some work done it in dock.


Aircraft Carrier??




This place is apparently the world's largest navel base and you could see the protection that was set up for the naval ships - a perimeter fence all around the yard where the ships were located and several guard boats cruising up and down the river in front of the yard 24/7. Based on our previous experience early last month, I was very careful not to annoy them.

We decided to go into Waterside Marina which is in downtown Norfolk. The City has done a lot to the waterfront such that it is a place for people to go on the weekend - live music, lots of restaurants and boat traffic. There are mermaids all along the waterfront (each of them different) pointing directions. Somewhat similar to the moose that Toronto had several years ago, but these appear permanent. A nice touch to the city.






We took a walk along the waterfront and came upon a war memorial, but it was unlike any that I have seen before. Instead of listing names of the fallen, letters written home by the soldiers to their loved ones were inscribed on metal tablets. The letters were written during the War for Independence, The Civil War, WW I and II, the Korean War, Vietnam and the Gulf War. The interesting thing was the letters were written shortly before the soldiers were killed and they were extremely touching.


Letter Home





Once we settled in, we went and took the naval harbour tour past the actual naval base. We were amazed by the number of ships in port and the size and cost of them - even had two subs in base. Our tour described some of the advanced electronic equipment that was on the various ships to counter attacks. Consider that this is only part of the fleet and that there are ships all across the various oceans on duty and in other naval bases, you start to realize the size of the American Navy and its capabilities. Truly amazing, since we hear about these ships on the TV but don't really realize their size and what they really can do. Lots of protection around the ships and lots of boats running around to prevent any one from trying to enter the perimeter. One of the ships in the yard was the USS Cole which was attacked by terrorists in the late 90's in which several naval seamen died. When you look at the pictures, you can see the perimeter security around the base.













After our boat trip we went for a walk around the Wisconsin - a WW II battleship that was also used in the first Gulf War and is now retired in the harbour of Norfolk. It again is truly huge and in its day was quite the fighting machine. It would be useless today with missiles that could take it out from thousands of miles away. It was built for ship to ship battle and while its guns could fire shells out 20 miles, the aircraft carrier can provide far more fire power.


The Wisconsin

Thursday - June 2, 2011

Today we did our laundry and cleaned the boat up before our departure tomorrow. Brenda wants to go to Norfolk, about 12 miles down the river in order to take a tour around the harbour. The largest navy dock in the world is located there and there are apparently a lot of things to see. So we will start off late tomorrow and move down river.

Wednesday - June 1, 2011

Since we could not get into the boat until late today, we decided to drive around and see a little of the area. While I already did it, Brenda had not. We also wanted to do some food shopping, and visit West Marine. On Monday when we left went out for dinner with our friends, I left my camera in the cab. We got the same cab for a return ride to the hotel but unfortunately the camera was gone. The cabbie had picked up other rides before we finished dinner and I suspect that one of them may have taken the camera and it is now sitting in a pawn shop. I don't think the cabbie took it, unless I completely misjudged his character. Anyway, we also went looking for another camera, because you can't be on this trip without a camera. We found a great little shop in Williamsburg and bought a new camera. When we returned the boat was in the water and looked good except for the some damage that occurred to the plexiglass windshield on the flying bridge. Apparently a big thunder storm went through when the boat was on the hard and the winds reached 60 - 70 miles per hour (according to the marina). The winds seemed to twist the plexiglass and it broke.