10/28/15  Wednesday

We did it....are doing it....the ICW!!!...intercoastal waterway.

Sunrise and sunsalutes on the dock, some errands and chores and we were off - another herd of turtles - at 11:55 AM. Got some great advice from David Briggs the owner of Rebel Marina and his office manager/dock gal, Jamie, and off we went into the Elizabeth River.

Sunrise at Rebel Marina

One of the locals at the marina. Love the flamingo

The Navy was VERY present in the Elizabeth River and much of the way  twd the "official" ICQ which we think really starts at the Highway 64 Bridge. David took many more Navy vessel photos. I took several more and sent them to our friend, Chris Ferreira, who works at Bath Iron Works, wondering if any of these boats were his.

Navy

This big tour boat was at the Welcome to Norfolk center even though I thought Norfolk was behind us.

Welcome to Norfolk big boat

Easy but attentive ride around all the naval installations and through a couple of bridges. There is some major construction on one - the Gilmerton Bridge - and from tomorrow there will be more limited "openings." So, we were particularly interested in getting underway today. Making sure we have enough clearance for the bridges is always to be checked out. This one below we had about 15' of extra space.

15' between top of mast and bottom of bridge

Aztec symbol? Nope, the superstructure is wrapped in plastic for repairs

The queen on HER sail bag

Amelia has become pretty non plused about the whole sailing thing. Today she stayed in the pilot house with us most all the way. And tonight she decided on her own to go tour the deck. She doesn't like the noise and, especially the noises that are new to her. She dove for the covers when the Navy jets flew over or the big helicopters.

And then we were at the turn into the Dismal Swamp Canal! I felt a little like Alice in Wonderland - "this way or that way"??

This way or that way?

The sign says - Dismal Swamp Canal turn right. Virginia Cut Canal straight ahead. We, and the Canadian boat in front of us missed the turn and had to do a U-ie. We both then pulled into the free dock for the evening, even though it was only 3 PM. We had an oil change to do which took from3 - 7:45 PM, longer than we'd been traveling today. The oil filter is under the engine. Horrendous. But it's done and we're fed and David took a shower on the dock in the dark. We have to decide which canal to take. I want to do the Dismal Swamp. There are logs and other things to run into there. But if we go slow and gently maybe they will stay out of our way. I'm hoping.