Cruising with La Dolce Vita: Coinjock, NC

We left Norfolk, VA at 8:00 am and traveled into the Elizabeth River and the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). We traveled from mile marker 1 to mile marker 50, arriving at Coinjock, NC at 4:30 pm. We motored the entire distance. The ICW is a narrow dredged, shallow channel...not for sailing.

Goodbye, Norfolk! We had a good time.

We were motoring among about 15 boats as we left Norfolk, and it felt much like driving down the highway...everyone lined up single-file, with a boat passing another from time to time. Everyone is very courteous, however, usually radioing prior to passing to let the helmsman in front know.

When we reached the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, we came across the Gilmerton Bridge. This is a drawbridge over Interstate 64. There is also a railroad bridge just beyond it which is usually open, except today there was a train coming through, so we had a little wait before both bridges opened.

Waiting for the Gilmerton Bridge to open

Opening!!!

After going through, we had the choice of taking the Virginia/North Carolina Cut, or the Dismal Swamp Canal. We had talked about both routes last night and decided on the Virginia Cut. The main reason is that there aren't very many marinas where we can tie up to shore power for the night on the Dismal Swamp route, but there were many on the Virginia Cut. Since the nighttime temperatures are still in the low 40's, we prefer not to anchor, in favor of heat.

At Mile 11.3, we came upon the Great Bridge Lock. This was our first time in our own boat going through a lock. We held back to watch what the other boaters were doing before we entered and tied up. We dropped 3', then headed out. Quite an experience:

Greg tying up in the Great Bridge Lock

There were 12 boats in the lock

Just beyond the Great Bridge Lock was the Great Bridge (of course). And, of course, we had to wait for it to open:

Great Bridge opening

At Mile 20.2, we came across the North Landing Bridge, which was late opening as well. All 12 boats were hovering for about 30 minutes waiting in 15 mph winds. We were very happy to get through that one unscathed. From there it was a clear run all the way down the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, the North Landing River, and Coinjock Bay into the North Carolina Cut to Coinjock Marina, where we tied up for the night. It was scenic along the way and a much nicer ride as the power boats left the sailboats behind and the sailboats put a little distance between each other. Made for a pleasant run.