Dolphins and Halloween

It took two hours to motor from the Naval Amphibious base to Newport because of barge and navy vessel traffic in the shipping lanes. It was another four going through the bridges and the lock in the Norfolk area.

As we transited the busy Norfolk Harbor, just opposite the Norfolk Naval Base and commercial shipping terminals, two dolphins surfaced on our port beam. What an unexpected treat --- and a day before Halloween!

We had another first experience Tuesday, going through a lock. In the lock we met a very nice couple, Lynn and Bob, who have been living aboard for six years. Small world, Lynn was from Springfield, Mass – Stephanie’s territory. Prior to cruising, they lived in Freeport, Maine.

We docked at the Centerville Waterway Marina at mile 15.2 on the ICW. The Centerville Turnpike Bridge was about 100 feet in front of us, very noisy evening! Marinas on the ICW have boaters raft up when all the dock space is taken. Most marainas charge half price for a rafted dockage.

Today was beautiful -- blue skies, low 70’s, water temp 66 degrees. The trip from Centerville to Coinjock was through a very desolate, swampy area -- beautiful in its own way. The water is brown from tannin and rotting logs. We spotted a number of herons and loons enroute.

This morning we caught the 9AM opening of the Centerville Bridge and were delighted to find Lynn and Bob behind us. They told us about a very funky unadvertised marina in Coinjock they were heading for, “Tate’s Marina.” We are both docked there now. The marina consists of a long row of pilings in front of Mr. Tate’s house and an electric hookup (checkout the picture). When he gets home from work he comes out for a friendly chat and collects his 50 cents a foot! He brought his 7 year old grandson Tom along, dressed as Willie Wonka, for trick or treats. I was glad that I had Bob’s chocolate stash on board to share! Mr. Tate adds, “Make yourself at home. Come by anytime. I don’t need to be here for you to stop.”