6/12/2010 COINJOCK TO PORTSMOUTH, VA

APROACHING TUG AND BARGE

This huge tug and barge chugged past us early this morning while docked in Coinjock. What a shock it was to look up and see him approaching in the narrow channel.

TUG AND BARGE BEHIND THE QUEST

With little fanfare the many docked boats began to cast off and continue their journey up the ICW. We had seen this tiny little boat in Roanoke but thought it was just homed there to scoot around the Outer Banks. I wonder if he is doing the loop or just out for a weekend jaunt.

"TINY BOAT"

We are really seeing tons of crab trap markers and poor Dan has to work to keep a path between them.

WHO THOUGHT BLACK MARKERS WERE A GOOD IDEA?

We have seen boaters, rafters, kayakers and swimmers on the ICW but today we saw our first water skier. Funny to catch them right at the posted danger sign for the little abutting channel littered with several wrecks.

WATER SKIER

DANGER!!!

WRECKS LINING THE SHORE

More bridges opening for us today but this Centerville Turnpike swivel bridge was kind of neat.

We passed through our first ICW lock today. No problem and nothing like the Panama Canal, just nice and easy.

DICK HOLDING QUEST FAST TO LOCK SIDE

SIGN IN LOCK

Although we were headed to Norfolk, VA for the night we ended up across the canal at Plymouth due to a huge festival being held at the marina in Norfolk. Lots of boat traffic all afternoon and a firework show at dark.

This is the USS New York, the ship built from the reclaimed Twin Tower’s steel. It is just across the channel from our dockage and having some work done at the naval shipyard. Notice the armed guard posted under the awning.

USS NEW YORK

PARTYING BOATERS IN NORFOLK, JUST ACROSS THE RIVER

Richard and Charlene made it into Norfolk airport, picked up a rental car and found their way to the marina. Cell phones are such a good thing to have around!! Of course, Richard had it all mapped out to get to the Norfolk marina but we messed up his plans by changing our dockage destination. Dick and Cheryl will take the rental car back to airport tomorrow when they fly out.

Another note on Sam, he and Mardy Fish will be in the finals tomorrow. Imagine that, an all US finals on grass in Europe?? Watch!