Albemare Sound to Norfolk, Va

     A quick check of the national weather service prediction for Albemare sound indicated....time to go!....seas less than 1 foot....winds 5 knots....yahoo!! Finally a break....so we started as soon as we could see the crab pots.  Easing our way out into the ICW, we turned towards the sound still expecting to see waves.   Glass, smooth as glass! It was time to get the boat up on plane and clean out the pipes.  Away we went across the most formidable sound since the Mississippi
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                                Sunrise behind Durants Island...dolphins fishing for breakfast.
                                                                              
 

                                        
                   Yumm...brownies and coffee for breakfast!  To early for Spencer!!

                                                                                 

             Better now...Dad gave me the crumbs...hope Mom doesn't find out!                     

                                                                                                              

     We didn't think we would make it all the way to Norfolk because of the timing of the bridges. Some opened on the hour, some on the half hour, and some didn't open between 3:30 and 6:00 and were at the end (I should say the beginning) of the ICW.  Fortunately we were able to hook up with a professional captain of the yacht "Lady Kath"  He suggested I fall in behind him. If we didn't hit any major slow downs at the bridges and if I could keep up between the first two bridges, we should be able to make the last opening before they close the last bridge down between 3:30 and 5:00.  Thank you Lady Kath. The Captain had the bridges timed perfectly and we arrived in Norfolk (80 miles) by 4:30,  at the Waterside Marina. We docked directly in front of a "Hooters!" 

                                                                                 
                                   "Lady Kath". Very Large Motor Yacht with 5-6 crew.

                                          Berthed in Front of Hooters for 2 days.
                                                                                                                                                                    

     What a great spot.  Thank you Doug Shulman!  Doug is a member of the Hatteras owners forum and we have reviewed his blog many times in planning our trip.  He stayed here and he was right.  A great spot because you step out your door and are at some major attractions. We even checked out the place where he got fudge...sorry Doug...they appear to be closing down, but Hooters, Joe's Crab Shack and Outback are right here.

                                                                  
                                                     Next to us....one pier over.        

                                                                                

     We toured the National Maritime Museum and got some great shots of the Battleship Wisconsin.  They also included entry to the Bill Hoover Boat Collection.  I will let the pictures do the talking..these  runabouts were beautifully restored.

                                                                                  
                                                            Battleship Wisconsin

                                                                                    

                                                                                  

                                                                                  
                                                                                

                                                                           

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                               
                                    Maritime Museum Park... 5 minute walk from our boat.

      While we were cleaning the salt off the boat,  an impressive 160 foot yacht arrived from the Cayman Islands, "Sun Chaser".  I spoke with one of the 7 crew who told me they had a rough crossing until they got close to Norfolk this morning.  I guess it doesn't matter what size boat you have, you still need to pick the weather windows.

                                                             "Sun Chaser"  

                      

                              Sun setting on the bows of "Spirit of Norfolk" and "Sun Chaser"