Sneads Ferry, NC to Norfolk, VA

We were excited to get to Sneads Ferry because we were going to pick up two grandsons, Ryan and Sammy, to ride along with us for a day. His mother then picked them up at our next stop which was Oriental, NC. Keeping two active boys occupied was a challenge, but we sure enjoyed having them along.


Sammy and Ryan on top the boat


Ryan enjoying the sun and the view


Sammy pretending to be asleep


Grandpa with "da boys"

Oriental is a charming little town. We walked to the town park to let the boys run off some energy, as they had been cooped up on the boat all day. We were very successful with that as Sammy, the younger one, almost feel asleep during dinner. I'm sure he was asleep in the car before the doors were shut!

We traveled from Oriental to Columbia, NC and ended up stopping for the night at Alligator River Marina. We had thought we would anchor out, but Bob was watching thunder storms all us on radar, and decided we would be better off tied to a dock.

After dinner, a boat came in and docked behind us and it was one we recognized. We had met the owner at the Stella Maris Marina. It was fun to catch up with him a little.

A boat had gone past the marina and ended up full aground in the ICW. It was in an area where there are no tides, (usually if you go aground on a rising tide, you can just wait a while and the water will rise and lift you back off), so he had to call Tow Boat US to come get him. The rescue boat had to come from Elizabeth City, an hour an a half away! It was well after dark when they arrived. I sure hope they had insurance with them, or I would not want to see that bill. We were very careful the next morning when we went through that area to make sure the same thing didn't happen to us. Luckily, all went well.


We passed about 6 Army Corps of Engineer barges in the ICW


Ferry in Currituck Sound

We crossed over into Virginia and passed through the lock at Great Bridge again. This time I handled the lines without Bob and he stayed in the pilot house. It went very well.


Great bridge (Cantilevered bridge)


View forward out of the lock


View aft in the lock


Festival Marketplace in Norfolk


Cruise ship by Norfolk


Barge full of containers. I just can't imagine this in rough seas.

After we passed all the industry areas and Navy areas of Norfolk, there was an announcement on the radio that told us there was a Navy Carrier coming back in from sea. Turns out it was No. 71, the Theodore Roosevelt coming back from what appeared to be a "Friends and Family" cruise. Bob said it have to be that or the Navy had "gone casual." Of course, we had to keep our distance, so I took these with the telephoto lens.


Roosevelt coming in from the sea


Hate to say it, but it needs a paint job


Notice the colorful clothes - that is the friends and family


Lest you think the ship was unprotected - the Coast Guard was there in force and ready to protect it.


Old Fort protecting the entrance to the harbor.

We anchored for the night near the Hampton entrance to the tunnel and Ft. Monroe and had some of the Mahi Mahi we had caught on the crossing back over to the US for dinner.

We are so excited to be near home and plan to make it up the bay on Sunday. Ya Hoo!