Norfolk VA - Mile 0

It wasn't raining when we left the Visitors Center Dock in the Dismal Swamp, but rain started soon after and continued all the way to Norfolk, VA. This shipping and naval center is located at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The giant harbor, shared with Portsmouth and Hampton is referred to as Hampton Roads. We are staying in Portsmouth, which is across the Elizabeth River from Norfolk, this is the view of Norfolk from the marina. Quite a change in scenery.

The following day also started rainy, but turned to just clouds in the afternoon, so we toured Naval Shipyard Museum in Portsmouth. This decommisioned Light Ship is part of the exhibit. Light Ships were employed by the Coast Guard as mobile lighthouses, sitting at anchor wherever a temporary light was needed.

This frenzel lens is displayed in the ship. A frenzel lens is facinating to look at, like a huge gem refracting the tiny light source into a brilliant sunburst.

Back on the Eschaton, we had a dinner to celebrate reaching Mile Zero of the Atlantic Intercoastal Waterway (ICW) after traveling 1220 miles from Cudjo Key in less than 8 weeks. We're also discussing our plans for crusing the almost 200 mile long Chesapeake Bay. At 20-30 miles wide, the Bay is "big water", so we are a little anxious about what to expect and have a close eye on the winds. There are almost a limitless number of anchorages and places to stop up the many rivers that flow into the bay. They say you can spend years cruising the Chesapeake and still not see it all.

We decided to wait one more day for the winds to settle down, so today we took the Portsmouth Ferry across the Elizabeth River to Norfolk to explore the Nautilus Naval Museum.

This exhibit includes the Battleship Wisconsin, which was put into this harbor for display in 2000. Here's the view of the bow from below.

Here's Liz on the teak decks with the "big guns" in the background.

These are the anchor chains, there is 1000 feet of chain in the anchor lockers below decks. Only the exterior of the ship was open, but plans are to make the interior of the ship available to the public in the future.

On the way back on the ferry, we got close to this aircraft carrier (on the right) and some other type of military vessel in drydock.

Finally, late this afternoon, the skies cleared up, our plans are to head up the Bay early tomorrow morning.