Day 31 Solomons Island to Annapolis

 We departed Solomons Island at 0800, as we only had 52 miles to travel today. Small craft advisory was still in effect until 2PM but winds had eased to 10-15 knots with gusts to 20, a slight improvement over yesterday.  Total miles to date 1421.

This is Thomas Lighthouse not to far from Annapolis.

 We never go to Annapolis on a weekend, too many boats.  Much easier during the week.  The marina is dead ahead behind the big yachts.  I was shoe horned in a slip, the smallest boat in the marina.  Very handy to town here.

 As we proceeded up the bay, we saw a tug towing a large barge filled to the brim with containers.

 Dinghy  in Annapolis welcomed by the local mallards.  

 We enjoyed seeing the chapel at the Naval Academy which has been totally redone.  The last time we were here in 2009 it was closed for the renovations.

 Superintendents house at the Academy.

Day 30 Tides Inn to Solomons Island, MD

 We departed Tides Inn after a great visit at 0630.  Early departure was called for to take advantage of light morning winds.  The forecast was for 15-20 knots with gusts to 25, a small craft advisory was issued.  Direction NE almost on the nose.  Debbie took care of securing the cabin and off we went. We arrived at Zahnisers Marina at 1030, 70 miles today, total to date 1370.    Check of the sea buoys confirmed the forecast but gusts were over 30 knots (35 MPH).  Island Hopper handled it well.

This is an example of the floating buoys that report wind direction, speed and wave heights.  Info is accessible from a computer or in our case on the Sirius weather on the chartplotter.

 Nice homes in Solomons

 Love the 59 Cadillac. Would not want to pay the fuel bill.

A waterman heading out.

Day 29 Portsmouth to Tides Inn, VA

We departed Portsmouth, VA (not Ohio!) at 740. We had to go through a long no wake zone by all the Navy Yards,  we entered the bay and headed north at 20 knots.  We tied up at the Tides Inn at 1230. Total miles today 67, to date 1292.   New floating docks and great dockmasters.  9 miles off the bay up the Rappahanock River to Carters Creek.  Our second time here.  www.tidesinn.com.

As we left Norfolk we noted the coal offloading docks.  Coal is shipped from WVa to Norfolk and loaded on ships to the far east, a billion dollar business.

Love these lighthouses, now abandoned in the Chesapeake.

Beautiful homes along the waterway.

We found a vineyard in Irvington, VA, near the Tides Inn. How can you miss it with these corkscrews marking the way.

The winery is the Dog and Oyster.  WE bicycled  there but still enjoyed the tasting.  Not Napa mind you but very enjoyable.

Beautiful resort at the Tides Inn.

Island Hopper at the Marina.

 I found another maritime museum, free as well.

Day 28 Lay Day Portsmouth/Norfolk

 We took a lay day on Saturday to catch up on laundry and to re-provision at a local grocery and to visit Portsmouth and Norfolk.

Our marina was on the Elizabeth River which is a major port.  A ship passed by at cocktail time.

The local Maritime Museum had re enactors  there for a war of 1812 exhibit.

We took teh ferry across the river to Norfolk.  Once there we walked around to wee some of teh historic areas.  We also took the light rail, similar to the one that will be constructed in Cincinnati soon.  Nice touch.

 Norfolk had a contest for mermaids like Cincinnati did for pigs a few years ago. Several of the many we saw!

 Another great maritime museum in Norfolk called Nauticus.   Besides the museum exhibits it is connected to the USS Wisconsin, a battleship that is open for tours.  Very interesting.

 Norfolk is a very old city.  We walked around several of the historic districts and we enjoyed the varied architecture.

Day 27 Coinjock, NC to Portsmouth, VA

 We departed Coinjock at 730.  Storms were predicted for the afternoon so I wanted to arrive by early afternoon.  Only 50 miles from Portsmouth but we had to pass through many bridges that opened on a schedule  and we had one lock to traverse.  We arrived at Ocean Marine Center at 100.  Naturally the winds picked up for our docking but it was uneventful.

Our good friends Ed and Barb Daniel disembarked here. Their son, a submariner, is stationed in Norfolk.  Ed was with me since Sarasota a total of 1225 statute miles.

  In the evening the heavens opened with rain and wind.  A tornado touched down 20 miles
 north in Hampton VA.  Luckily we were unscathed.
Score to date, two tropical storms and one nearby
tornado, but who is counting.

 Ospreys love to build their nests in the aids to navigation.

Of course in the narrowest section of the waterway a barge pulled and pushed a missile component towards Coinjock?

 The crew spotted two eagles majestically posed in a tree along the waterway.

One lock to pass through at Great Bridge, VA.  This canal separates the Albermarle Sound watershed from the Chesapeake so depending upon the tide on Chesapeake Bay the elevation difference is a few feet up or down.  Today we dropped 2 feet.

 Many bridges to pass through that open mostly on the hour.  I programmed their coordinates in to the GPS so I knew the exact time we would arrive.  The speed of the vessel was adjusted to arrive at the bridge at the appointed time.

We passed through the beginning of the shipyards in Norfolk and Portsmouth. When we leave we will pass many more. This carrier is the Harry Truman in for refitting.

Belhaven, NC to Coinjock, NC

Island Hopper departed Belhaven at 7:50 AM.  The skies were sunny with winds S 5-10.  The cruise to Coinjock was 88.5 miles and arriving at Coinjock Marina at 2:30 PM.  Note the tea colored water from the leaching of the tannins from the trees in adjacent marshes.

Island Hopper's Wake

Arriving At Coinjock

Coinjock Marina Restaurant has been a favorite of locals and traveling yachtsmen alike since 1978. Serving only the freshest local seafood available, the Coinjock Marina Restaurant is also known as "Home of the 32oz prime rib". Overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, Coinjock Marina Restaurant provides a dining experience with great view of yachts and sailboats plying the waterway. Our friendly courteous staff are waiting to serve you with daily lunch and dinner specials - along with a full featured regular menu. If you enjoy outdoor dining, Coinjock Marina Restaurant features a new expand outdoor deck, where you can enjoy the waterfront views, while partaking of your favorite ice cold refreshments along with your meal. So whether you are looking for seafood, award winning prime rib, make Coinjock Marina Restaurant your choice for upscale dining in a casual atmosphere. Located conveniently on the Intracoastal Waterway at Mile Marker 50, the Coinjock Marina has been a longtime favorite for transient yachtsmen traveling north and south along the waterway. With all the amenities you would expect from a world class marina the staff of Coinjock marina demonstrates a willingness to accomodate your every need so that we make your stay a memorable one. With newly refurbished docks, an easy approach with alongside dockage, and a highly acclaimed dockside restaurant, you will soon see why thousands of visitors say that Coinjock Marina is truly one of their favorite stops.

Tropical Storm Beryl Belhaven, NC

Skies After The Storm

MV Island Hopper stayed in port at Belhaven Waterway Marina, Belhaven, North Carolina due to around 6 inches of rain from Beryl, the tropical storm.  After the storm the crew walked into town.  There was not a business or restaurant open.  After a walk through town, the crew returned to the boat for dinner.  It was a relaxing and catch up day aboard Island Hopper.

Island Hopper at the Dock

Belhaven After The Storm

Clearing Skies