Bryant Bay, Severn River

What interesting scenery as you approach Norfolk. 

The area is completely full of docks for the unloading of gravel, oil etc and many, many boatyards servicing the Naval ships.  Some are in huge floating dry docks and some are just tied alongside.

There was a security presence along this stretch but not intrusive.

Bucket Dredge

We saw one dredge that was using a crane and bucket instead of suction.  I guess because it is near a bridge and they need to put the material into a barge to cart it away.

Nauticus and the Wisconsin

We passed by Nauticus where we had gone on Tuesday and got a few shots of the battleship Wisconsin from the water.  As you progress further along the river you come to the Naval yard and I think that I counted 4 aircraft carriers as well as many other missile boats, frigates etc.  All in all a lot to see.

We proceeded up the Chesepeake bay and found our spot for the night.  Bryant Bay.  It took a couple of attempts to get a good hold.  It was a very gooey, stinky bottom with lots of crab traps around.

That evening we were served a gourmet dinner aboard Drift Away.  Jimmy certainly sets a high bar for reciprocating.

The next morning we moved on to Deltaville, VA and spent the night at Dozier's Regatta Bay marina.  This was the home of the waterway guide.  They have sold the publication now but it is still centered in Deltaville.  This must be the capital of sailing in the Chesapeake.  There are 8 to 10 marina's full of sailboats.  It speaks for the good sailing here.

Norfolk

 

Monday was not a very nice day so we stayed on the boat and did some chores. 

Debbie's helmet fit

I did get to have a ride on Jim’s motorcycle as we went into Norfolk for a visit to West Marine.  More Zinc’s to complete the change on the engines + spares. We hosted Drift Away for dinner and made plans for tomorrow.

Tuesday, we Uber’d into Norfolk to visit Nauticus, the marine museum.  It provides an excellent history of Norfolk as well as the history of the US Naval service. 

The biggest draw is the battleship “Wisconsin”.  They dredged a channel to get it positioned beside the museum and you can take tours of the ship. 

The large guns are massive and they can propel a variety of shells such as armour piercing and high

Shell penetrates multi-layer steel

explosive.

 

Front two turrets

This  ship apparently went through the second world war without a scratch but then during the Korean War, it was bombarding railway lines when a Korean battery hit it and put foot and a half hole in the teak deck.  The captain was so P’d off he shot one of the large guns and not only took out the battery but half of the mountain top. 

One of the captains on the support ship messaged him “temper, temper.”

Crew Mess

We went off to a restaurant that one of the volunteer guides had suggested and had a great lunch.

Too much food as usual!!  It was then back to the boat.

Yesterday was boat chores. My new Wi-Fi antenna arrived and I was able to get it installed.  I now have a router that will give me a good signal throughout the boat and the capability of receiving a signal from weaker Wi-Fi’s.  Drift Away was able to do more work on their canvas to give Jim more protection from the sun.

 

Debbie & Sandy at the bow

Off to the Chesapeake today to find a nice anchorage.

Belhaven to anchorage to Coinjock to Chesapeake, VA

Yes, it has been a while since we posted.

View in Oriental

The trip to Belhaven takes you out into the Pamlico Sound.  Mostly open water with a few narrow bits.

When we arrived at Belhaven we elected to stay at the town docks.  They were supposed to have water, didn't, but never mind.  Very sturdy docks and a pleasant location.  We walked into town for dinner at the tavern and had a great dinner.  Jim & Debbie, burgers which they said were delicious.  Sandy tried the shrimp & grits that the owner was pushing.  She liked them but they will never become her favourite.  I had the Ahi tuna, which was first class.  A huge portion.

The next morning we set off after lunch as there were boat chores to do.  We wanted to get closer to Coinjock so that we could get there at a reasonable time. We found an anchorage off the ICW. There was an old unbouyed channel leading to it.  Jim got his dinghy down and did a little bit of exploring.  Turns out it lead to a grain elevator and a lumber mill.  The product is now shipped by truck.

Along the Pungo river

Drift Away following along

The next morning off to Coinjock.  There were a lot of flies along the way, and they did bite.  A little bit like when we did the Chicago Mackinaw sailboat race.  We survived however and got into Coinjock early in the afternoon.  Reservations were made for dinner with a 32 oz. prime rib medium rare cut for each couple.  It was as good as I remember.

We got this picture without running aground!

The day was very hot and humid until around 4:00 then a thunderstorm rolled through with the cold front.  The temperature dropped 10 degrees in ½ hour.  The rain poured when we were having dinner, so we had to stay for dessert to avoid getting wet. Too bad!

A freedom?

Today we left at 8:00 and proceeded towards Norfolk, VA. We crossed the Currituck Sound.  The wind was blowing 15 - 20 but the waves were only 1 to 2 feet so no problems.

We have stopped at Toprack Marina.  Terrific fuel prices and only $35.00 a night.  Weather is cold, overcast and windy so we think we will hole up for a few nights.  I am trying to get a Wi-Fi booster ordered and shipped here.

We will be having dinner on Drift Away this evening along with Kathy Gilmour and her husband, Bob Parsons.  Should be a good time.

It will then be off to the Chesapeake to do some exploring that we did not have time to do on the way down.

Morehead City to New Bern to Oriental

While we were in Morehead City we took the opportunity to do some provisioning.  While we did not need much, you always come out with more than you thought.
 We did little jobs around the boat than had an opportunity to host Jim & Debbie aboard Seas the Day for dinner.  Lots of talking!! We departed at a leisurely pace the next morning and proceeded up the Harlow canal to the Neuse River.  Instead of turning right to Pamlico Sound we turned to port and went to New Bern that Jim says was a lovely town, and he was correct.  

We anchored inside the harbour past the railway bridge and took the dinghy into town. The dock was really bouncy but after negotiating it we walked along to find the exit gate. Finally found it but it was padlocked, now what?!!? We went along to the other end and located another gate, which had been zip tied, needless to say that didn’t last long!! Then we saw the signs that the dock was closed for maintenance!! Maybe a sign on the outside would have been useful!! Jim needed a cable for his bicycle. 

Debbie & Sandy and the bear

After a walk in town (This is the birthplace of Pepsi- Cola) we stopped for a beer at an outdoor café.

 Back to the boat, we had a quiet evening.  We even watched an episode of The Crown that I had downloaded from Netflix.  This works great.  It allows you to get episodes when you are in marinas that have a powerful enough WI-Fi signal. Departure the next morning had to be delayed as the bridge will not open until 8:30.  I went over to Jim’s boat to go under the flybridge to check the cables on his depth sounder.  It has been giving him intermittent difficulties.  Disconnected the cable and re-connected it and it now works, but who knowsif it will last?

 A short trip back down the Neuse River saw us arrive in Oriental, NC just past noon.  This apparently is the sailing capital of the area with easy access to Pamlico Sound.  There is also a very active fishing fleet here. We scoped out the free docks, but they were full.  They also will not allow you to run your generator here.  That made it difficult with Jim hosting Dagny and 2outrageous for dinner, so we took a slip in the Oriental Marina & Inn. After an afternoon of chores we all got together for a delicious dinner of Debbie’s Lasagne. Today we are off to Belhaven.  When we stopped there on our way down, the town was flooded.