ANCHORED IN FISHING BAY, VIRGINIA.

JUNE 2, 2016

IT'S PERFECT IN THE DISMAL SWAMP LOCK

LEAVING ELIZABETH CITY

From our anchorage in the South River we headed to Belhaven for one night.  Then a long day into Elizabeth City for the night.  The Dismal Swamp was next.
 

In the Dismal Swamp everything is lush and  green, it was hot and humid with no trace of a  breeze.  We saw eagles, fish, snakes, turtles, butterfly's, dragonfly's and insects of all kinds.   The winding channel thru the swamp is shallow, mostly 6 to 7ft.  It is exhausting trying to stay in the center for deep enough water.  We were happy to see the lock in the late afternoon.

IT'S PERFECT ON THE FREE DOCK

It was 5:30pm when the lock opened, it had been a long, hot day.  It is just about 10 miles into Norfolk, Virginia where we usually anchor in what is called the Hospital Anchorage.  But it was getting late and all we wanted to do was stop for the night.   There is a free dock just before the bridge into Norfolk which seems to get few visitors.  The dock is about 300ft long with  no power or water.  We decided we would try it out.  It was after 6pm when we tied up on the floating dock.  Many boats passed the dock, no one stopped.  It was their loss,  It's Perfect spent two quiet nights before moving on.

COMPANY ON THE CHESSAPEAK BAY

We left for Fishing Bay and Deltaville early the second morning.  We passed thru the bridge into Norfolk at the 7am opening and we were on our way.  It wasn't long before we turned into the Chesapeake Bay.  It was a beautiful day for a sail and we made almost 7 knots most of the way.  In the late afternoon Stove Neck Point came into view.  We turned into the channel that wound thru the shallows into Fishing Bay. 

After a week underway we were happy to see this beautiful bay we know so well.  We were the only boat in the bay and were soon anchored in about 20ft of water.  Time to break out the wine and have a glass in the cockpit.  It took a few days for us to relax and get boat chores done before we decided it was time to head for shore.  Deltaville Boat Works is where we hauled It's Perfect out of the water and raised the waterline 4yrs ago.

HOLIDAY RAFT UP IN FISHING BAY

John Farinholt and his brother that own the boat yard have bought  Fishing Bay Marina next door.  So now there are even better facilities at our disposal for the small fee charged to dock the dinghy.  There is the shower buildings, the captains lounge, the laundry, a beautiful swimming pool and covered patio all included.  We have been here for almost a week and it's time to make plans to move on north.