Oct 25, 2009

Days 37-38 Norfolk, VA

Two days spent in Norfolk, Virginia anchored in Hospital Cove. Norfolk is on one side and Portsmouth, on the other side of the Elizabeth River. The US Navy must own 90% of the property and commercial (barges, tankers) the rest. On Friday we took a cute ferry from Norfolk to Portsmouth and walked around "Old Portsmouth". It was very quaint, reminding us of some areas of Newport, RI.





































Then we walked around the waterfront in Norfolk and had some fun with the statues in Waterside Park. It was fun being anchored in this cove because we could watch all the "big" boat traffic at all hours and see the lights of both sides at night. It was nicer than Atlantic City and much cleaner water too.















On Saturday morning we were having our coffee in the cockpit and watched the Princess Cruise line ship make it's way to their dock (just opposite us) to dock and unload. It's quite the ship and they have quite the security. Four Coast Guard boats (machine guns at the ready on the bow) escorted the ship in and waited for the Harbor Police to arrive to begin patrol of the safety zone.

By mid afternoon the wind started to "howl" up to 25K with promise to get stronger with approaching thunder storms. We were well set and holding well with our friends on Persephone beside us so we did not move an inch. Peter was in the dingy trying to find some provisioning. As he was returning to the boat Jane was in the cockpit and watched 2 boats drag anchor. Both were unattended, One was dragging close to our friends on s/v Persephone, and the other was moving toward the channel. Well we wasted no time getting into a marina just .7 miles further down the ICW for the night. S/v Persephone joined us. The wind topped out at 35-40K overnight.




Ian, did you know that your friend has famous ancestors? No wonder he loves the sea so much, its in his blood.

1 comment:

Natalie said...

love all the pics....the ones with the statues are funny!! And I love that pretzie gets in them all!! the little girl!!!