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Showing posts from April, 2023

Portsmouth, VA

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On the USS Winconsin. USS Winconsin A statue in front of Chrysler Museum. Big ships and the ferry that travels between the cities.  Man - that was good pizza! Celebrating with looper beers! Fresno lens in the light ship. Finally, we made it to the Chesapeake Bay! Our first stop was Portsmouth, VA.  Basically, Portsmouth is on the opposite side of Norfolk, VA. Norfolk is big, with skyscrapers, traffic, big hotels, etc.  Portsmouth is smaller and more quaint.  We stayed at Tidewater Marina - it was a nice marina. They had all of the amenities and a restaurant, Fish and Slips.  We spent some time there at happy hour.   There’s a lot to see and do in this area.  We toured the USS Wisconsin, toured a light ship and went to the Chrysler Museum (a huge art gallery).  So many big naval ships in the water too! We also had some of the best pizza at High Street Pizza (Portsmouth) and we’re pizza snobs. We rated the pizza to be in the top 4!  Of course, the pizza close to home, Quatro’s, Pizza Vil

Dismal Swamp

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Here we are rafted up.   Melinda and I kayaking. I went kayaking with Melinda on a Charley Girl.                          An old locomotive steam engine.  After 2 rough days, the Dismal Swamp was a great reprieve!  We stayed in Elizabeth City at Mid-Atlantic Christian University Docks, which is a great stop off before entering the Dismal Swamp.  Captain Dan, a former looper, was the dock master and he was so nice and accommodating.  He caught our lines, let us use his truck to get supplies and even provided a welcome bag. Since it was a university, we had access to bathrooms and showers (at certain times). There were many places to stay in Elizabeth City but I’m glad we stayed here.  It also got us past a bridge that had to be raised; we were in a good position for the Dismal Swamp tomorrow.   There were a few loopers, whom we crossed Alligator River and Albermarle Sound with, that came to Elisabeth City. Some loopers chose to go to Coinjock, NC, instead of the Dismal Swamp. Usually bi

Alligator River & Albermarle Sound

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I put my lifejacket on while on the Albermarle!  Not sure why I’m smiling??! Albermarle Sound Albermarle Sound Alligator River Alligator River              Leaving Alligator River into Albermarle Sound.            Luckily we didn’t have far to go on the Albermarle.  On April 24, we left Bellhaven, NC and headed to the Alligator River.  We crossed the Pungo River and entered the Pungo/Alligator Canal (ICW).  Initially, it seemed we were gonna have a good travel day - flat, calm water.  The canal was small and reminded us of the rivers back home - peaceful.  But the Alligator River opened up to a big body of water and boy oh boy, it got rough!  It was a lot of chop and we were slapping the water - not fun.  The wind had picked up and the current was strong.  The only thing good about this travel day, was that the wind was hitting us in the bow for the majority of the trip.  Finally, we headed into Alligator River Marina to tuck in for the night. Docking there wasn’t easy either.  There w

Oriental, NC & Bellhaven, NC (April 21-24)

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Live music at Oriental brewery. Shrimp boats in Oriental, NC Me, Donna & Chris (Runaway), Chris & Beth (Pau Hana),  Rusty & Darleen (Bama Breeze), Jeff,  Danny and Jen (The Other Woman). Darleen (Bama Breeze) and I.       Our friends, Darleen and Rusty, we’re anchored but came to                                     go to the brewery with everyone.                                                                         The Piglet Shuttle!                        Riding in the good cart around town.                                  Sunrise leaving Oriental.                                   Sunset at Bellhaven.                                     Bellhaven Marina.                             Beautiful home in Bellhaven.                                  I never tire of sunsets.                Jeff and I with Rhonda and Lee on Ineffable. We stayed at Oriental Marina and Inn for two nights. The marina had a pool (still closed for season) and nice grounds for sitting and watching