We finally did leave Deltaville and cruised to Cape Charles, VA which is another quaint little harbor town. We spent two nights at their municipal marina and enjoyed an excellent meal at Kelly's Pub. We also managed to get our laundry done and bicycle around the town some. While there, we met a couple who told us about a nice anchorage just 7 miles below Cape Charles. This anchorage was inside a sea barrier made from old WWII Liberty ships which and been filled with cement sat on the bottom in shallow water, leaving the bulk of the ship above water line. It seems these were set there prior to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel being built and broke the water for a ferry terminal that was there. This are is now part of the Kitopeke State Park. We spent a night there and then headed toward Norfolk, VA.

When we arrived in Norfolk, we decided to anchor at the official beginning of the ICW which is located at red marker 36, just off Hospital Point. Hospital Point was named because of the large Naval hospital that sits on the point. Of course, as we came into Norfolk, we passed by many of the Navy ships anchored there.

If this all sounds a little familiar, it's because we have now started our return trip south, down the ICW and will be passing many of the same areas as before.

After leaving Norfolk, we decided not to return by going through Great Bridge and the Great Bridge Lock, even though we did not come up that way. We had enjoyed our trip through the Great Dismal Swamp so much, we decided to return that way.

After passing through the first lock at Deep Creek, we tied up and went ashore to fill our provision list, again. We actually rafted up (tied along side) another sail boat since the dockage was so small and met a really nice couple headed to the Bahamas.

Since it was so late in the day, we decided to over night at the NC Visitor Center in the Dismal Swamp. When we arrived, there were about 10 - 12 other boats already there and since the dock was only 150 feet long, many were rafted up and we did the same. All in all, we were rafted up 3 deep in 4  or 5 rows. We actually rafted up to the same couple as earlier and enjoyed hearing their story of how they had salvaged their boat and redid it themselves for very little money. They also told us of some of their adventures in the Bahamas which sort of whetted our appetite for many this trip one day.

Now, we have passed through the second lock, South Mills and will spend 2  or 3 nights in Elizabeth City waiting for the weather to get right so we can safely cross the Ablemarle Sound, which can get pretty rough when the wind is high.

There are several boats here at the Elizabeth City harbor waiting for the weather to beak, as well. Yesterday afternoon, the visitor's center held a wine and cheese party and handed out roses to all of the boater ladies. This has been a tradition here in town for many years now, when there are several boats in the harbor. The town makes boaters seem very welcome and they appreciate our being here.

Pictures follow:

Cape Charles, VA

Cement Filled Liberty Ships

Entrance to Norfolk at Hampton, VA

Navy Hospital at Hospital Point

Red Marker 36 - Mile Marker Zero ICW

There was a wedding on this ship that evening

Carriers at the Norfolk shipyard

South Mills Bridge & Lock - Dismal Swamp

Others waiting for the bridge & lock to open

If you click on or copy to your browser the following link, you'll be able to see a live web cam shot of Elizabeth City, NC harbor. If you give me a call while I'm still here, I'll step out and give you a wave.

http://www.midatlanticengineeringservice.com/harborcam.html