Monday, November 5, 2012

Norfolk, VA - Day 1

 This morning's sunrise at Hampton, VA

 Bell Isle Marina at sunrise

We got a late start, 11:15 am, this morning, but we finally got out of Hampton, VA and motored the 13 nm to Waterside Marina in downtown Norfolk, arriving at 2:45 pm. 

Cruising into the James River then turning South, we saw several aircraft carriers docked at the Navy Base, as well as quite a number of other ships.  Seeing aircraft carriers from the vantage point of our little sailboat motoring past was humbling.  There was a lot of activity in the river and in the air around the base;  mostly patrol-type boats and helicopters.  As we proceeded south the tall buildings of Norfolk came into view.  It's a beautiful city from the water.

We docked at Waterside Marina, which is right at Mile 0 of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway at the Elizabeth River.  This is the beginning of the 1,243-mile long ICW....Norfolk to Key West.....and it will be the main route we take to get to our final destination this winter:  Marathon Key.

Here is a photo of the view from the deck of La Dolce Vita at Waterside Marina:


We will be here for at least 2 days, possibly 3.  Bad weather in the form of a gale is predicted to come through on Wednesday, so we will stay here until it's safe to head out and into the ICW.  Actually, we had planned to stay here a little longer anyway to stock up provisions and do some laundry, so we aren't disappointed to be here another day or so.  It's a beautiful city and there is a lot to see and do....why rush?

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