Tuesday, May 9 - On to Norfolk

Tuesday, May 9 - On to Norfolk

The marina was full last night, but almost all the boats were gone when we got up.  Danny figured most of them were delivery boats.  Usually you see owners out and around but we didn't see much action last night at all.

Just north of the marina, the scenery was beautiful.

We cruised through Coinock Bay and Currituck Sound, both large bodies of water.  Little Belle Island, a very large island with lots of houses but no bridge, was in the middle of the sound.  I guess everybody commutes by boat.  

Next was North Landing River, (North River was yesterday), then the Albemarle Chesapeake Canal, which runs east to west.

Coinjock Marina had given us a handout listing the bridges heading north and we found out why.   There are six bridges in about 12 miles, and several open either on just the hour, or on the hour and half-hour, so you have to plan ahead.

Here are pictures of some of the bridges.

North Landing Swing Bridge

View of the Albemarle Chesapeake canal between bridges.

Centerville Turnpike Swing Bridge is closed to vehicles, but still opens on schedule because construction workers need it closed. It was strange to go by the open end of the bridge.

The Great Bridge Drawbridge is new with an unusual design. 

And finally, the Great Bridge Lock.  It lowered us only one foot, from the canal to the  river, hardly worth the hassle.  The lockmaster here was rude!   His exact comment to Danny was, "Too many damn boats today.  My back is killing me."

And in Chesapeake, back in the thick of civilization. 

We "lost" dark water in the large bays, now we have it again.

Norfolk in the distance, LOTS of shipping industry as we approach.

Waterside Marina was our home for the night.  There were several other Loop boats, so we took a walk and visited.

Loved the brightly colored sails in the river behind us.

SUNSET