We are underway once again! After a month tied to the dock to take care of ‘other life’ things, we left the York River Yacht Haven and headed South. We had a lovely time at this marina; it was a great spot to hang our hats for a little while. We also thoroughly enjoyed the YROC restaurant/bar that was wayyyy to close to our slip lollll. We made a few friends during our stay and wish all of y’all safe travels!
On Tuesday morning, 10/24, we set sail for Norfolk, VA. What a beautiful day to travel! As we entered the York River towards the Chesapeake Bay, we were joined by a pod of Dolphins. It was so fun to see them leaping out of the water as they shot right for us from a few hundred yards away, just for a chance to playfully dance in our bow wave 🙂 At the complete opposite spectrum from frolicking dolphins would be the Navy hovercraft that blew by us at who knows what speed (they go 50+ knots)!!!
As we made it into the Elizabeth River, we passed the Norfolk Naval Station and were greeted with rows of pretty impressive US Navy destroyers, air craft carriers, guided missile cruisers, littoral combat ships, etc. Some were very ominous to see in person and we felt a little nervous openly snapping pictures. Bob had been stationed in Norfolk on the USS Guam in the late 80’s – a lot has changed!
We stopped for the night in downtown Norfolk at the Waterside Marina, a very well run operation. It’s located on the Norfolk side of the river at Mile Marker 0 of the Intercoastal Waterway. A low key evening and then up at dawn, on Wed 10/25, for our run to Coinjock, NC. This was a crazy, crowded and sometimes frustrating day with many bridges that needed to be cleared and one lock to go through. But the most frustrating part was all the other boats traveling this narrow channel called the Virginia Cut. As we have said in previous posts, you meet all kinds of folks out here on the water and some really have no class, or simply, no clue. But, others do and are completely civil and actually know the rules and common courtesies of navigation. You just never know who you’re going to get coming up to pass you! So, after a long day of bumper cars, we made it to the wall at Coinjock and more importantly, to the Old North State! It was lovely to watch on the chart as we finally crossed into what will now and forever be our home state of North Carolina.
We have been told, by too many folks to mention, about the ever famous 32 oz grilled prime rib at the Coinjock Marina (insert eye poping emoji). What a great marketing play. We happily observed, without partaking, as a couple of young men enjoyed their heart attack on a plate lolllll.
Thursday, 10/26, we let all the fast sport fish boys leave early and lingered until around 9:30, untied and continued South to Manteo, and the Outer Banks of NC. Julie’s brother Kevin and his wife Ruby are super lucky to call Manteo home for basically their whole lives. As we navigated the very lean entrance to the Manteo town dock, Kevin and Ruby gave us a fly by and took some great pictures of Robes in the Roanoke Sound.
We spent Thursday and Friday visiting with them and enjoying this lovely slice of heaven where they call home. We visited Kill Devil Rum Distillery and cocktail bar and were joined by half a dozen witches on horseback who stopped by for a roadie, how fun! We ate at three great restaurants, shared a drink in Kevin and Ruby’s home bar and Kevin ripped us (at 40+ mph) through the back marshes that he knew like the back of his hand, to Wanchese where custom sport fish yachts are built. We even took in some history visiting the Outer Banks History Center to learn about Sir Walter Raleigh and the Lost Colony.
Saturday, 10/28, at dawn, we left Manteo and headed for the Alligator River for our final two days of this journey. Once again, for the 7th day in row, the weather gods smiled on us and delivered another gorgeous day. So much reflecting on these last moments – we will share our thoughts in our next and final post. Cheers for now!
Beautiful part of my state that I have never visited!