Tidewater Yacht Marina in Portsmouth, Virginia

Day #332: From last evening I beat Mike at cribbage. At midnight a severe thunderstorm passed through Portsmouth with one foot waves rolling into the harbor rocking the boat. Mike and I took in the side currents and Mike brought in the flags. There were two rounds of strong storms with lightening, strong winds and rain. The two of us were up at 6:30 A.M. for coffee, grapefruit, cookies, lemon poppy seed muffins and the local weather. After breakfast it was time for a few boat and paperwork jobs. Mike and I headed to the ferry to get a ride to the Norfolk, The two of us missed the ferry by a few minutes but we went to the Portsmouth Visitor Center where we were given lots of local information. The two of us caught the 9:35 A.M. ferry over to Norfolk being dropped off at the Waterside area. We walked around the waterfront reminiscing about 2016 when we attended the AGLCA Spring Rendezvous. Mike and I spent time that week with Mark and Leah (this was the first time that Mike and I met Leah) and Amanda and Tony for a mini family reunion.  At 10:00 A.M. the two of us headed to the Nauticus and USS Wisconsin Memorial. We signed up for two tours that we had not experienced the first time at the ship. At 11:30 A.M. Dave and Lenny, two volunteers toured the group through the Captain's cabin, Admiral's cabin, Combat Engagement Center, Flag Bridge, navigation Bridge and Quartermaster's space which was a 90 minute tour that encompassed 4 decks. The two of us thought that we would have lunch in the café but it was closed for renovation so lunch was a granola bar (from the boat) and sodas. The two of us toured the gift shop. At 1:30 P.M. it was time the Guided Engine Room Tour. This tour took Mike and I down seven "decks" into the depths of the Battleship "Wisconsin".  This tour took 60 minutes. After the two of us walked through the Waterside Market Place which was under renovation back in 2016. The Waterside is only restaurants no shopping. Mike and I caught the ferry back to Norfolk where we got off on High Street heading to Olde Towne Public House Restaurant to have firestone pizza which was great. The two of us then walked through the Olde Towne Historic District looking at a few historic homes and churches heading back to the marina. After a few more boat jobs we headed up on the flying bridge for happy hour waiting for more severe weather to arrive in the area. At 7:30 P.M. the skies darkened so Mike and I prepared the boat for a night of storms. It was time for blogging and reading. 

      

Ferry Service from Portsmouth to Norfolk for $2.00 one way.

YRBM-L-36 is a non-self-propelled barge used to provide living accommodations for a ships crew during construction. They contain limited shop facilities to permit ship's force repair work. It is a storeroom and workshop.  

                                                   This ship is in a floating dry dock. 

 

Waterside was under renovation when Mike and I were in Norfolk in 2016.

Mike & Ocean Patina Mermaid in 2016.

                                                                                  

Mike and Ocean Patina Mermaid in 2019.  Reacquainted with an old friend.
 

                                   

Welcome to Norfolk!!!

 

Mike and Ocean Patina Mermaid in 2019.  Reacquainted with an old friend.
  

"The Homecoming" statue.

Mike and Ocean Patina Mermaid in 2019.  Reacquainted with an old friend.

 

Looking from the deck of the USS Wisconsin a view at Tidewater Yacht Harbor in Portsmouth.

Naval ships seen from the stern of the USS Wisconsin.

Armored conning tower with 17 inches of nickel-steel armor. 

The hatch to the armored conning tower.
 

Looking out at the 16 inch rifle turrets.

Tomah Hawk Missile launching platform. 

Mike standing in one of the staterooms on the USS Wisconsin.
 

Broadway corridor aboard the Battleship Wisconsin.
 

Propeller shaft at the reduction gear.  

Mike and I had a great day on the USS Wisconsin. 

Lightship Portsmouth Museum

Col. William Craford founder of Portsmouth, Virginia February 27, 1752.

                                                                                  

Confederate Memorial construction began in 1876 on this memorial to Portsmouth's Confederate dead and was completed in 1881. The four statues represent each branch of the Confederate                                                     military-Calvary, Artillery, Infantry and Navy.  

Court Street Baptist Church & Court Street Academy from another view it is massive.
 

Mike and I walked some of the Olde Towne Historic District on their way back to the marina. 

The Hill House (1825) built by Colonel John Thompson is the 1800's, his adopted son John Thompson Hill began a long line of Hills to reside in the home until 1961. At that time it was willed to the Portsmouth Historical Association.
 

Spanish American War Monument it commemorates the Portsmouth men who served in Cuba                                                                      and the Philippines. 

 

Court Street Baptist Church & Court Street Academy.

Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center in South Mills, North Carolina to Tidewater Marina Yacht Marina in Portsmouth, Virginia

Day #331: Mike and I were up at 4:45 A.M. to prepare for departure as we wanted to make the 8:30 A.M. bridge opening and lockage. Engines were started at 5:20 A.M. At 5:25 A.M. "Parrot Bay" was underway with "Akita" a couple with their three children from Germany that were at the free wall at the visitor center last evening. Mike spotted a deer near the water as "Parrot Bay" transited the canal. At 6:00 A.M. Mike, Patty and "Parrot Bay" crossed from South Carolina to Virginia. At 6:04 A.M. "Parrot Bay" hit it's first object, clunk! Submerged log of some sort that bounced off the hull but made a noise.  At 6:50 A.M. "Parrot Bay" hit it's second object. At 7:30 A.M. "Parrot Bay" hit it's third object. There were no issues noted from the "clunking".  At 8:05 A.M. Mike hailed the Deep Creek bridgetender for the bridge opening.  There was another sailboat "Lady Slipper" who was already waiting at the bridge, "Parrot Bay" and "Akita" needing to transit the bridge and lock. The bridgetender was very friendly opening the bridge at 8:30 A.M. then hopping in his car meeting and assisting the three boats into the lock. "Parrot Bay" was secure in the lock at 8:50 A.M. The lockmaster shared information about the history of the Dismal Swamp.  He also played a tune on a conch shell. The lockmaster is Robert Peek and he has a reputation amongst the cruising community for being one of the nicest, warmest and knowledgeable people. "Parrot Bay" was clear of the lock at 9:10 A.M. (lock #32 for the trip). At 9:30 A.M. "Parrot Bay" entered the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River.  What a difference from the Dismal Swamp canal to the Naval Shipyards. Mike and I were pleasantly surprised that it wasn't busy on the water making our trip through Norfolk enjoyable. Mike and I saw the "George H. W. Bush" CVN-77 in drydock (Mark, our son served two deployments) at 10:00 A.M. At 10:40 A.M. "Parrot Bay" was secure in a slip at Tidewater Yacht Harbor in Portsmouth, Virginia after traveling 30 miles today (3,738.5 miles total for the trip). After checking in Mike and I had lunch onboard the boat. I e-mailed Dozier's Yachting Center in Deltaville, Virginia for reservations starting on Sunday. It was 96 degrees and sunny so the two of us headed to the marina pool. We spent the day enjoying the pool before heading back to the boat. I received a confirmation for our reservations for Sunday in Deltaville for three nights. Mike and I got ready for an early dinner heading to Fish & Slips Marina Raw Bar & Grill which is the restaurant at the marina. Mike had steamed shrimp and I had Ahi tuna both dinners were great. There is always something going on in Norfolk whether it is boats in the water or military/coast guard helicopters in the air.  It is very cool to see. The two of us headed back to the boat as it was time to blog and read.

Early morning on the Dismal Swamp.


On the Dismal Swamp a welcome sign to Virginia.

"Akita" came late afternoon to the visitor center and they decided to leave with "Parrot Bay" to get to the bridge and lock.

Deep Creek Bridge with "Lady Slipper" tied to the wall waiting for the opening.
  

"Lady slipper" heading through the Deep Creek bridge heading to the lock. 

  

"Lady Slipper" tied up in the Deep Creek Lock.

                                                                                   

Deep Creek Lock

                                                                                   

                                    Dismal Swamp Canal (1805) plaque at the Deep Creek Lock.
                               

Robert Peek one of the nicest lockmasters that we have met on the trip so far. 

"Parrot Bay" heading out of the Deep Creek Lock.

                                                                                     

                                        We are no longer in the Dismal Swamp, very busy.
   

Two bridges the Gilmerton Railroad Bridge and Gilmerton Highway Bridge. These boats had been waiting a very long time for the railroad bridge to open. "Parrot Bay" waited 15 minutes, then the train passed and both bridges raised letting all boat traffic pass. 

"Akita" a German couple with their three children.

     

We are no longer in the Dismal Swamp, very busy.

Very different looking in Norfolk than it was in the Dismal Swamp.

"Red Sakura" from Singapore. 

Norfolk Porsmouth Beltline Railroad Bridge stayed open for "Parrot Bay" "YEAH".

Very busy in the Norfolk Navel Shipyard.

"Canary" an ocean going freighter docked in Norfolk.

Building a ship.

CVN-77 George H. W. Bush in dry dock.

BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair

USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79)

Vessels in repair at BAE Systems.

Another naval ship in the BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair. 

                                                Nauticus Museum and USS Wisconsin. 

The waterfront of Norfolk. 

Tidewater Yacht Marina in Portsmouth, VA across the water from Norfolk, VA

NEBO South Mills, NC to Portsmouth, Virginia

There is always something to look at while here in Norfolk or Portsmouth.
 

Mike enjoying the pool.

Sea Stallion Helicopter

Fish & Slips Marina Raw Bar & Grille