Log 138; Day 374; May 30, 2009; Norfolk, VA.

All of these pictures were taken in the Norfolk Harbor. This one is from our boat, looking south over the harbor

This is the USS Wisconsin (880 feet long, and 108 wide), we took the next pictures while dinghing around the ship

In this picture the mega yacht on the left if 221 feet long...but it looks like a run a bout next to the ship

This is a huge dregger that they use to keep the channel open

And it's attached to this large boat...the picture does not really show the size of this dregger

While we were in the dinghy, a large ship (Dove) came in the harbor

Not sure what building this is, but it is just across the harbor in Portsmouth, VA

Everywhere you turn you see military ships docked

This one is a supply ship

This sailing ship is the American Rover, which is parked just behind us at Waterside Marina. I watch these flags to tell me the wind direction and speed.

Deb loves these statues. This one is just across the way from us, and I watched as Deb talked someone into taking this picture for her.

Log 138
Day 374
Saturday, May 30, 2009

5:50 AM EDT
Location: Waterside Marina; Norfolk, VA.
Weather: 70 degrees with NNW winds @ 10; Going to 80 and sunny today.

I was up early this morning, because we decided to leave Norfolk (planned to stay for a week, but I got antsy, so we’re heading out 2 days early) but the winds are a little stronger than originally forecast, so I think we will sit here for a little while. The winds are nothing major, but at some reporting spots (out in the bay) they are blowing 15, with gusts to 20, so that is enough to keep me off the Chesapeake for a little while. Every forecast (about 6) tells me that the entire area winds are supposed to drop to light and variable by late morning, so we’ll keep watching that and see what happens.

We have enjoyed our time in Norfolk. Waterside Marina could not be more convenient to anything you want. Groceries; big mall; museums; theater; and lots of restaurants. It is also a hub of water activity, with boats moving in every direction, and all, just a few yards from our boat. I just sit on the back deck, and day dream. You see everything from small sail boats, to ocean going freighters, and Navy Ships. You also see every yacht heading north for the summer. It’s quite a sight...one I never get tired of. It’s also interesting to monitor all of the marine channels, and listen to the harbor activity. As an example; channel 6 is one where the working tugs get their information when they are up river; channel 13 is where the commercial traffic all talk to one another, each letting the other know of their intentions (my favorite); channel 14 is harbor control...similar to a control tower at an airport. You call harbor control and tell them what you want to do, and they will tell you if it’s ok, and what other traffic you will encounter; channel 16 is a hailing and distress channel. If you want to speak to another boat (or marina), you hail them on 16, and then go to another channel to speak to them (normally 68 if you are a pleasure craft). There are several other channels on the radio, but these are the main ones used. They also change, depending where you are located. As an example; in Florida, all bridges are on channel 9. In the Carolina’s the bridges are on 13. In Illinois the locks are on 14; in Ohio they are on 13. Anytime you switch locations you need to check to see what channels are the correct ones. Not doing so will cause someone to holler at you on the radio...or worse...get you in trouble you don’t need.

Along with getting several errands done, Deb and I took a nice dinghy ride around the harbor yesterday. Most of today’s pictures are from that dinghy cruise. When you see all of this, you certainly understand that Norfolk is a working harbor for military ships. Everywhere you turn, there are ships docked and major work being done on them. There is also a submarine dock up the waterway, but we did not go there in the dinghy. We will pass that harbor when we leave this morning.

Our plans...today we will be going about 50 miles to a small town on the western side of the Chesapeake (and the eastern shore of VA) called Deltaville, VA. It is one of those small water towns where the boats far out number the residents. They say 800 residents, and 3000 boats. We have never stopped there before, but it is a nice jump off the Chesapeake, and makes the day a 50 mile run verses a hundred mile run, to the Solomon’s...our next stop. Our current plan is to spend 2 days in Deltaville, then on to the Solomon Islands for a couple of days, before continuing north up the Chesapeake.

Well...as hard as this may be to believe, while I have been writing this log, the winds have died down almost to nothing. Behind us, is a very large sailing vessel called the American Rover, with 3 large masts, and 6 different flags. When I started (a little before 6) these flags were blowing quite hard. Now (6:45) they are light and variable, and at times not blowing at all. The harbor was choppy, and now it just has a light chop on it. I guess it is time to get the boat ready to shove off.

I’ll keep you posted.

Bob