WE arrived at Rebel Marina, Hampton Roads VA, a very friendly place, Tuesday late afternoon, the 16th.  The ride through the ICW to Norfolk was beautiful again but vegetation changes definitely noticed…thicker foliage.  We made the bridges schedules with faster speed and clock watching!  The closer we got to Portsmouth VA below Norfolk, we saw more pleasure craft trying to meet their schedules as well.  We went through our last lock , this time handing our lines instead of taking theirs.  

Norfolk was an amazing array of cargo ships, naval ships and huge tugs.  I filled my camera allotment twice, but will show more of them during this blog. We had to remain from the 16-18 th at Rebel in order to fix an alternator issue and then hunt down an O ring using the complimentary marina car WITH NO AIR CONDITIONING!   We were in 92plus through highways with windows wide open!  A real culture shock after three weeks of laid back heat or not but on water!   

Bucket list preparing to leave Coinjock Marina

  

COINJOCK MARINA

  

These waters have more and more Osprey with their young!

  

Fixed bridges… no scedules needed!

  

  

NORTH LANDING BRIDGE

  

  

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL BRIDGE! EXCITED THAT WE MADE THE OPENING WITH A FEW MINUTES TO SPARE!

  

  

ENTERING NORFOLK WITH PASSING PORTSMOUTH FIRST

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

THE WELCOMING PARTY!

  

  

  

  

  

  Hopefully we can begin our Chesapeake journey tomorrow and aim towards the Solomans.   

We have met different boaters from other times checking radio calls together so it was fun to meet face to face here!  Australians and Scottish alike  make for great dinner or 5:00 mates!  Hope we meet again in our home waters!