5/4/14:  Looper boats started to arrive in groves here yesterday at the Waterside Marina, Norfolk, VA. We have already had two nights of Docktails with the AGLCA 2014 Spring Rendezvous starting this afternoon.

Our view of the Norfolk Harbor is wonderful. We are right across from a couple of US Military ships in dry dock. Daily we see large ships being brought in by the local tug boats.

Downtown Norfolk a block from the Marina

Waterside Marina, Norfolk, VA

Entering the Norfolk Harbor - very busy!

Norfolk Harbor

Military Ships in Dry Dock

We sit out on the front of the boat & watch the large ships coming & going.

A park at the marina gives Ike a place to run.

Military Ship across from us.

Lots of port traffic.

Tugs of all sizes and shapes in the harbor.

Ike Enjoying The View

5/3/14 Update:

On 4/4/14 we left our home port in Green Cove Springs, Florida and arrived in Norfolk, Va. on 4/26/14. Our destination, Norfolk, is the America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association (AGLCA) 2014 Spring Rendezvous location.

In 18 days we:

·         traveled 695NM on the ICW

·         went through 2 locks on the Great Dismal Swamp route

·         crossed:

o   Cape Fear Inlet: With waves up to 4’ & occasionally higher

o   Pamilco Sound: The largest lagoon along the US East Coast, 70 miles long & 15-30 miles wide. Bordered by wildlife refuges & sanctuaries.

o   Albermarle Sound: A large estuary on the coast of North Carolina, 45 miles east to west, and 11 miles north to south.

The weather forced us to seek shelter at various marinas along the way. The forced weather stops gave us a chance to experience places we probably would not have visited. Some of the more enjoyable stops were: Darien, Ga at the free city docks. The people of the city are warm & welcoming. Barefoot Landing with its Outlet Mall and free shuttle. Customer service is their main objective.

On good weather nights we anchored at some of the most spectacular anchorages.

Sunset View from Twelve Stones Pilot House

Our arrival a week early to the kick-off of the AGLCA 2014 Spring Rendezvous gave us a chance to catch up on boat chores as well as haircuts & dog grooming. And the occasional nap.

DISMAL SWAMP:

The Dismal Swamp is described as home to creepy-crawlers, snakes, & insects, with buzzing, chirps, and odd noises to be heard.

It is a 22 mile long canal with two locks, one at the south end & one at the north end.  It is an alternative to other routes north provided your boat does not draw more than 6 feet.  

22 Mile Long Canal

Twelve Stones on the Dismal Swamp

A Different View

South Mills Lock - Boats passing us by.

South Mill Lock

Tied up at the wall between South Mills Lock & the Bridge. 

4/25/14: We had originally planned to tie up to the wall in Elizabeth City. However, when we arrived there was a 15 Knot wind coming into the city creating whitecaps on the free dock wall. We decided to go onto South Mills Lock and tie up for the night which proved to be a very smart decision. Later that night the weather turned very bad with a  tornado (winds 65+) touching down in Elizabeth City. Tied up at South Mills we were protected from the high winds. When other Loopers arrived in Norfolk we heard the stories of how some boats and the docks had been damaged by the tornado in Elizabeth City. Praising God that no one we talked to suffered major damage or personal injury.

Elizabeth City with 15+knot wind at Free Docks