The Alligator River is very wide but not necessarily deep so one needs to be careful to follow the markers and stay mid-channel. Large logs have been noted floating along the river , which sometimes are partially submerged , and could do a lot of damage to your prop! Constant wake damage from ongoing boat traffic causes more and more trees to topple into the river. There is a swing bridge right at mile 84 which opens on demand however if the winds pick up to greater than 30 knots it may not open.
The Marina is a well run, organized and highly successful operation where everybody stops for their famous prime rib - we stop for their delicious food and crispy chips. We also have dinner with Susan and Jon from L’ Equipe and had a lovely tour of their beautiful sailboat 53 Little Harbor. We continue to meet up with the same sailboats and motor boats heading North so it is fun to see familiar faces. The sailors are all wrapped up as the weather is pretty wholly and windy.
An example of the tree damage that you are likely to see along the way.
April25th Thursday Coinjock to Hampton VA. Nana and Nandad were almost the last of the long line of boats to leave the dock. Those sailors are early risers! However because today is the day of bridges and locks we all catch-up with one another waiting for bridge openings. North Landing is our first bridge and we has perfect timing here for the half- hour opening. The second bridge Centerville Turnpike Bridge we were not so lucky and had to wait for the opening as we missed the hour timeframe but it was a nice opportunity to have lunch. The next challenge was the Great Bridge and the Great Bridge Lock so by 1.30 NH had only one more bridge to navigate which is usually open Norfolk & Western R.R bridge at MM 3.6. What a shock when we arrived at the bridge to find it closed !! As always things are not as they appear so after a few radio calls we learn that a train is coming and the bridge will open when it passes but nobody know how long that will be. A little frustrated Nandad bops around for an hour and 15 minutes before the bridge opens - at least there was plenty of water and lots of space to maneuver. This meant we were late checking into Safe Harbor Bluewater Yacht Center and quite the bumpy ride for that ten mile section of the Hampton Roads but a good feeling to have the ICW route complete and are now officially in Chesapeake.
April25th Thursday Coinjock to Hampton VA. Nana and Nandad were almost the last of the long line of boats to leave the dock. Those sailors are early risers! However because today is the day of bridges and locks we all catch-up with one another waiting for bridge openings. North Landing is our first bridge and we has perfect timing here for the half- hour opening. The second bridge Centerville Turnpike Bridge we were not so lucky and had to wait for the opening as we missed the hour timeframe but it was a nice opportunity to have lunch. The next challenge was the Great Bridge and the Great Bridge Lock so by 1.30 NH had only one more bridge to navigate which is usually open Norfolk & Western R.R bridge at MM 3.6. What a shock when we arrived at the bridge to find it closed !! As always things are not as they appear so after a few radio calls we learn that a train is coming and the bridge will open when it passes but nobody know how long that will be. A little frustrated Nandad bops around for an hour and 15 minutes before the bridge opens - at least there was plenty of water and lots of space to maneuver. This meant we were late checking into Safe Harbor Bluewater Yacht Center and quite the bumpy ride for that ten mile section of the Hampton Roads but a good feeling to have the ICW route complete and are now officially in Chesapeake.
Sail boats behind us and in front of us.
A very welcome sign as we go through the lock.
Friday April 26th : We had a wonderful Layday and after talking with Bill and Linda they have decided to join us for a sleepover on the boat. We have a great dinner at the Surf Rider and Nana is very excited to pass the admirals role to Bill for the journey up the Chesapeake Bay.
Saturday April 27th : The ladies capture a picture of Bill and Aedan heading to the pump out before we say our goodbyes. What great company to have spent the night with on the boat and so excited for our day away from “ the boys”!
Linda and Nana head to Williamsburg for a wonderful day of shopping, lunch , and some browsing the beautiful historical town. We arrive back at their lovely home up the Indian Creek to find NH tucked into her slip right outside the house. What a luxury.
This is the map of the area. A wonderful spot to have a home surrounded by water.
Nandad happy NH is all tied up.
The house from the dock.
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