Deltaville to Norfolk

Naval Amphibious Base - Little Creek Cove Marina

We had been trying all day to reach either the Little Creek Cove Marina on the Navy’s Amphibious Base or the Navy Marina and Sailing Center on the Norfolk Naval Station for a slip. Unable to make contact and a little apprehensive about anchoring with thunderstorms forecast overnight, we anchored in the very limited space in the Hampton River -- a tight area between an anchored boat and a seawall, with marina docked boats tied up close to us on the other two sides.

Bob decided to give the Navy Marina one more call. A human being answered the phone at the Sailing School and said they were closed for construction. He gave Bob his boss’s (Mike’s) cell phone number. Mike happened to be the Manager of both marinas and was at Little Creek Cove. He said, “Our phones have been out all day. Come right over – I’ll make space.”

We had read on the chart that the area was restricted and required prior approval from the Commanding Officer of the Naval Amphibious Station. When Bob asked Mike how to obtain that, he said, “We monitor Channel 12 on the VHF. Identify yourself, ask permission to enter as you approach, and show your Military ID to the Navy Security boat.”

I was about to have a new experience! We’ve stayed at Naval Marinas that are recreational areas, but never on an active military base.

Complying with the directions, we received permission to enter the restricted military zone. As we motored further in the base, a security boat came along side. After seeing our military ID’s, the Brad Pitt look-alike guard standing on the gunwale of the security patrol boat said in a no-nonsense voice, “You’re out of the channel; move to port. Have a nice day.”

As we were motoring toward where Bob thought the marina was, we heard a very loud patrol boat siren. I turned to see the security boat speeding directly as us! They pulled along side once again and the guard patiently said, “You’re going the wrong direction. The marina is in back of you.” Who would have thought the Little Creek Cove Marina was not in Little Creek Cove but in another part of the base!

By the time we had docked, cleaned the salt off the boat, and put things away, it was almost sunset. I set out cheese and crackers on the cockpit table and poured each of us a drink. I had just settled in to enjoy the sunset when a very loud bugle blasted over a huge loud speaker just behind me. Startled, I jumped -- almost losing my drink! The unexpected bugle call was announcing the flag would be lowered momentarily. Within minutes, the loud speaker blared again with the booming bugle, this time playing taps.

Now I have to say, I have always had affection for taps. During World War II, one of my father’s jobs was to play taps and reveille on his bugle each day in the Army. Continuing with my fond childhood memories, we sang “Taps” at the end of each Girl Scout meeting. That signaled we would soon be seeing the Boy Scouts. The Naval Base taps will not be added to my list of fond memories.

The Mill Creek Cove experience continues. When I read about the marina, nothing was said that it was under the end of the final approach path for the Norfolk Airport! As the sun went down, Southwest, Delta, Continental, US Air, and American passed two to three hundred feet over our boat in a seemingly endless parade of planes! The parade continued until late in the night.

This morning, expecting reveille, the bugle returned playing the “Star Spangled Banner” as the flags were raised. Will I never cease to be surprised?