Day 10, at the head of the Chesapeake Bay

Blog Number Three, day 10

Our trip from Windsong to Coinjock was uneventful.  We did learn that we had missed a gem, Dowry arina and Resort on the Pungo River.  Lucky for us the Alligator River and the Albemarle Sound were like glass.  Great for us.

We docked overnight in Coinjock we passed on the famous prime rib at the restaurant and had a nice meal and met some nice folks.  One couple from New Bern (Riverbend) in a Hattrass on their way to Cleveland.  They had done the LOOP in a 33’ Pursuit. Another couple in a Gozzard 36’ heading back to Pierce Creek off the Neuse River.  The jaw dropper was Diamond, see the photo.

We had a 45 minute wait at Great Bridge, just before the only lock, so we anchored, had lunch and Dave napped.  On the other side of the bridge we waved hello to Frank and Diane on Utopia.  They took advantage of the free tie up between the bridge and the lock.  As we passed by the Norfolk ship yards we were awed by the constant commercial traffic.  Here is where we encountered our only heavy shower.

Riverside in downtown Norfolk was gearing up for the big Harbor Fest.  Ships like Pride of Baltimore II, the Rover, Virginia, Godspeed, Lynx and the USS Cole.  By the way the Cole used to have Trega’s chair backs in their dining hall.  We were surprised to see so few Navy ships in port. 

On to our anchorage at Old Port Comfort. Dave out ran the container ship and we had a wet ride, but the captain was happy. Dinner on board on My birthday and a interesting sunset.  Thank you all who called and sent me greetings.  (Nate here is where I took the sunset picture but it is on my phone and I am not working where I can download it.  Next time buddy.) 

Dave managed to stub his toe on the same cleat as I did so we both have black and blue toes but I do not think they are broken.

The next morning during breakfast we watched a captain, single handed, raise the sails on his 42’ Irwin and sail off the anchor.   There are times we do miss sailing.

We called the marina at Old Port Comfort ( they are now public since Fort Monroe was  decommissioned in 2011) and got a slip for two nights.  After difficulties with bike tires and hours wasted we walked to the sea wall in front of the Chamberlin Hotel to watch the parade of ships.  We then walked the water front around to the beach and through the old fort back to the boat.

Dave made early dinner reservations at the Chamberlin and I had a dinner in style, a late birthday celebration.  Champagne/cucumber soup followed by beautifully served swordfish over risotto topped with greens and flower petals.  I ate half of mine before I thought of taking a picture.  The beautiful building is now a senior living center.  Google  historicchamberlin.com   We watch ships entering and exiting the bay and the ocean.  Dinner was early because we came across the Air Force setting up of the Air Band and Chorus concert honoring the  70^th anniversary of D-Day.

The Jazz section of the band was dressed in WWII uniforms.  Tributes were made to Col. Ed Shames, a member of Easy Company and the Band of Brothers also a Col Ashley a pilot who was shot down over Germany on Christmas Day 1944 and after a member of the resistance was forced to give the group away taken in to a Prisoner of War Camp.  The other gentleman to be honored unfortunately passed on the 5/24.  Both of these courageous men stood to speak to each person who came to thank them for their service.  As the evening progressed military members former and present were recognized.  We experienced this at the last performance of the band we attended in Myrtle Beach two years ago.  A very inspiring, soul searching evening.

Presently  Dave is making a run to the grocery store with the one working bike and I am doing laundry.  He did not bring enough tee shirts to get him through a week…… there is room in his drawer!

After chores we are going to the Casement Museum.  I was surprised yesterday to see a fort with a ground embankments, a moat and then all the homes and barracks inside.  The military has decommissioned the fort and is renting the homes and keeping the area groomed.  The architecture is very interesting, the first settlement here began in 1609.  Google Fort Monroe VA.

Tomorrow we head to Urbana, VA to visit a friend and stay at her dock.  Later in the week we will be at Walt and Mary Keith’s dock in Reedville, Va.  We also will get to see Nancy Fisk.