SUMMER BREEZE: 8 Bridges to open, 1 lock and Mile 0!, Day 22

Albermarle Sound Sunrise

(8 x 10 oil on linen)

We did stay an extra night at Blackwater Creek to avoid the boat crowds in the already busy Norfolk Harbor area. It was a good quiet day where Bruce did some engine room work and got caught up on some reading, Bella had a grooming and I got to paint a bit.

It was actually nice to have a down day as we have both been busy navigating the waters that are unknown to us.

Monday, June 11, Day 22 of the summer cruise trip.

We took our time with several stops and low mileage days getting here and today we travel the last 30 miles of the ICW before entering Chesapeake Bay. And these last 30 miles will be busy with 8 low bridges or RR bridges to open, 1 lock to go through plus several other high bridges that we just cruise under. Weighed anchor at 6:45 am again to start the "bridge thing". We missed the 1st one's opening by about 2 minutes so had to hover in place for 30 min. They only open on a schedule and not on demand.

Along the way, the Chesapeake-Albermarle Canal is full of downed trees and logs floating in the channel. We had to dodge several of them, including a tree that is live and growing pretty much in the middle of the channel!

Again a very wooded and marshy area.

1 eagle sighting today, lots of osprey nests on day beacons.

The next bridge had an opening 30 minutes after the first one but we couldn't get there in time (5 miles away) but the bridge tender saw us coming and actually held the opening for us and making the other faster guy wait. We didn't ask for it but were grateful for not another 30 minute hover.

This old RR bridge was already open....👏

Then the Great Bridge Bascule, again we had to hover and wait for 30 minutes with 2 other boats.

THEN THE LOCK....

Captain Bruce was really dreading it. Our first one to go through without Bryan...the lock tenders were great and helpful and it was only about 1/2 foot rise. Nothing compared to Okeechobee!

Next another RR bridge immediately followed by a lift bridge. And it started to rain.

Another RR lift bridge...

Finally the last one, which we had to wait about 20 minutes for along 3 other boats and a tug.

We are in Portsmouth! We passed the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Here is "IKE".

And we are officially at Mile Marker 0! The Toogoodoo Creek ICW mile marker is 495.

We anchored off the Naval Hospital in an area known as Hospital Point and a very popular anchorage site with room for lots of boats and easy access to shore. It is supposed to be a rainy afternoon so we will wait till the weather is clearer before heading out to the Chesapeake Bay.

We dinghied across the channel to have dinner with an old and new friend at the newly renovated Waterside District. It wasn't raining when we left for the 5 minute trip but it started half way and our legs were soaked by the time we got there. Nothing a restroom hand dryer couldn't handle! (The things I do now...😲)