Dismal Swamp Visitor Center, NC to Waterside Marina, Norfolk, VA: Got going about 07:30 to get ahead of the Kayak and Canoe races starting by 08:00 at the Visitor Center. We also had to make the 11:00 opening of the Deep Creek Lock. We crossed over into Virginia at 08:07 at mile marker 24.9. The lock was terrible; we called several times, both on Channel 13 and by phone, but did not get an answer so we tied up to the bridge and waited. The same person operates the bridge and the lock. We later found out he was mowing the lawn. By the time we got into the lock the wind had picked up some and we had a hard time keeping our bow close to the lock wall so the Lock Master tied my rope to the wall. Keith was also having trouble with the 2nd rope; we were higher than the lock wall and nothing on the fixed bollard to keep his rope tight and the wind kept blowing if off. I thought that the Lock Master forgot he tied my rope to the lock wall and Rich, from Chris Lea, got off his boat and untied it before the lock started to lower. Boy, what a mess, I'll be glad to get back on the river system again. We were just a short distance from Norfolk after locking through. We got there early and had to wait on the automated bridge #7 which opens on the half hour. Then, on the half hour, a train decided to come down the tracks so we waited for another half hour. Going through Norfolk to our marina we saw a Troop Transport, an Aircraft Carrier, and a nuclear submarine in for maintenance. We got gas and into our slip. After 4 days without electricity other than our generator it was good to take a long, hot, shower at the marina rather than the short 10 minute ones on the boat. Did a bunch of washing and by then it was 19:30. We went to dinner at Joe's Crab Shack and then it was time for bed.
Day 2 at Waterside Marina, Norfolk, VA: We took the day off and toured the Naval Museum, Nauticus and the battleship USS Wisconsin-pretty impressive. The Wisconsin was the biggest battleship ever made.
CO's comments: How many of you knew that the USS Wisconsin was also the fastest battleship; it can go 50 mph and can carry over 2.3 millions gallons of fuel. At times it refueled other ships. The cost was just over 110 million dollars to build in 1944. I think the marines should have 2 battleships; one for the Pacific and one for the Atlantic, to support our marines in future battles.
N36 50.626
W76 17.522
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From our slip at Waterside Marina
in Norfolk, VA |
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| A very busy port, Norfolk, VA |
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| Now that's an anchor! |
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| USS Wisconsin |
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| Big Guns |
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