ATLANTIC YACHT BASIN MARAINA - ONE NIGHT ON THE DOCK

September 6, 2012

We departed the Tidewater Marine Center at 10 AM after topping off all the tanks & pumping the holding tank.  Our route will take us through the Virginia Cut & into the Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal.

In the first 12  miles there are 6 bridges & the Great Bridge lock to navigate.  Most of the bridges open on the hour & the half hour, the lock opens on the hour.  Our timing was not perfect.  The railroad bridges are open unless there is a train coming, we only had to wait on one.  Of the 6 bridges we waited on 4.



On the dock

It took 3 1/2 hours to pass through the first 12 miles.  By the time we cleared the swing bridge after the lock, we decided we needed a break.  As we turned into the canal  we saw the Atlantic Yacht Basin Marina just waiting on us.  Well it looked that way. 


We pulled in & by the time we tied up we were greeted by the dock master in a golf cart.  At $1 a foot it was a great deal.  The air smelled of pine trees & the view of the dense woods across the canal was beautiful.  Stopping this early was quite a bonus.  I just had time for a shower & a nap before dinner.  Yes...........................it was great!

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When I finished with my nap Rod & I took our glass of wine & walked the docks.  The transient dock was not nearly full & everyone we spoke to was very friendly.  The breeze was very cool as the sun began to set & a long boat rowing team arrived to get in some practice on the canal.  There was almost no boat traffic to interfere with their plan or the quiet of the dock. After dinner & a movie, we turned in.



We left the transient dock of the Atlantic Yacht Basin & headed under the 64 ft. Pungo Ferry Bridge.
It was a very cool & bright day.  You could see just a few leaves turning among all the green foliage.


We watched as three bald eagles flew across the canal & perched at the top of huge pine trees & perch in huge pines along the waters edge.  Then we were visited by more wildlife than we ever expected.

P130

F18 fly by

 
 Navy F18 fighter jets joined us & flew across our bow many times.  It appears they were doing target practice in an area just to the east of the canal. We kept moving & after about an hour, we could not see them as they flew in & out of the clouds.  At 1:15 PM we crossed out of Virginia & into North Carolina. 



Taking pictures of jets is like taking a picture of a whale.
Most of the time you only catch the tail.

As we entered the Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal there was some traffic.  It seems the canal is a great place to water ski & fish. By the time we found our anchorage at 4:30 we were both tired & ready for the day to come to an end.  Life is good.