Apalachicola to Panama City and Fort Walton Beach FL

When it rains in Florida it rains in buckets and sideways. That's how it was when we docked at Apalachicola.  After one night in that hopping town, we left Apalachicola and motored up to Panama City where another 'severe' storm was set to kick up.  On our way we enjoyed more dolphins playing in our wake.

It was a nice quiet and easy river run to Panama City from Apalachicola so we were surprised to see the dolphins show up as we entered Big Cove and East Bay just east of Panama City.

We were told that a tornado watch and HEAVY winds and weather on its way that night and to double tie all our lines and hold on for dear life.  right.  Nothing happened Friday night so we had a get together with some "loopers" (cruisers doing the Great American Loop).  Loopers have their own cruising association, the Great American Loop Cruising Association and by being a member they get numerous discounts at marinas and fuel docks along the way.  There was even a GALCA host at Panama City offering them a car and any help they might need.

Well, we got up Saturday morning to nearly clear skies and beautiful day, all of us wondering where the big storm was.  "It's comin" so we decided to stay another day and go see Don Williams in concert Saturday night at the Marina Civic Auditorium. Pretty good stuff. Finally late Saturday afternoon the winds really got going.  No rain until we got back from the concert Saturday night (which was convenient).  A little thunder and lightning and the winds on Sunday were even worse.  So we stayed another day.  Finally this morning we were able to get out of there and move on to Fort Walton Beach. Another run up the river and now we actually have banks on the rivers.  It's sand but at least it's not swamp.

Not a lot going on in Fort Walton Beach.   Highlight of the evening was talking to Jen on the phone.  Tomorrow Pensacola.

Boca Ciega to Clearwater and across the gulf

We have now crossed the gulf from Clearwater to Apalachicola.  We picked Wednesday night to make this crossing with a forecast of 2 ft seas, winds 10-15kts.  That's about what we had and as the night progressed into early morning the wind died to almost nothing.  There's not much to show in the way of pictures as it was really, really dark.  No moon at all.  We made our way from Boca Ciega, just west of Tampa Bay, to Clearwater and exited the ICW at Clearwater Pass.  Then made a straight line from Clearwater to Dog Key just east of Apalachicola, ducked behind Dog Key and St. George Island to the Apalachicola River and stopped at Apalachicola after 24 hrs underway.  Molly had her legs crossed.  She was never so ready to get OFF the boat.  On our way to Clearwater we had more dolphins playing in our wake.  I tried to get more pictures but I got soaked by their splashing.  Here's a picture of dawn on the gulf.

The water color before sunset was incredible!

When we stopped at Apalachicola, the dockmaster said we could use his golfcart to go to the store if we liked, so we took advantage to pick up a few things, and, of course, Molly had to go, too

Anything to get off the boat.  Here is she waiting while we're in the Piggly Wiggly.  Such a good girl!  I think she's recovered now.  Even as the boat was rolling around, she wanted us to throw her toy.  Probably a ploy to keep her mind off of how much she had to go to the bathroom.  We offered her the back deck, but no go.  Well, now the worst is over.  Tomorrow it's off to Panama City.  We are looking forward to this part of the trip and the guidebook says that from Apalachicola to Pensacola is a very pleasant trip.  We're pretty tired after very little sleep last night.

We've decided that we're running out of time and will only go as far as Mobile Bay.  We've arranged for the trucker to come get the boat in Mobile Bay instead of Galveston.  We'll miss some fun parts but we decided that we wanted to enjoy the places we get to see rather than rush through and not see anything.

So we're in the final days but the boat has been very comfortable and we've enjoyed it all, inspite of the "skinny water".

Moorehaven locks to Ft. Myers and Venice FL

Went through the last 2 locks and arrived in Ft Myers with the wind blowing 25 kts Plus.
Patti docked the boat under duress as we were abeam to the wind and I was doing suicide lines.
Worked out without any major problems and we settled down for 2 days of wind.  Took off the bikes and went and saw the movie 'Safe House' with Denzel.  Talk about action.  A nice reprieve.

Finally this morning we took out and about 60 miles later made it to the crow's nest marina in Venice, FL.  We passed numerous beautiful beaches along the way but the most exciting thing we encountered was three dolphins playing in our wake.  We both tried with all our might to get pictures and Jon got the best ones, so here are a few.  The dolphins were right off our starboard stern.

We are getting ready for our passage this Thursday or Friday, weather depending, across the gulf from Anclote Key to Dog Key, about 140 miles.

Still lots of slow areas, manatee areas and not so much traffic.  When we got here three gents stopped by who knew the boat.  One of them has a boat in the same harbor where Manitou was in Annapolis before we took her over.  He recognized the boat, called the broker and they told him it was us and that they should stop by, so they did.  We had a nice conversation with them about their travels on Jack's 37.   It was real interesting talking to folks who really like these boats as well.  And they've taken theirs quite a few places.  Boy, it's a small world!!

Stuart Florida to Moorhaven locks FL little over 50 miles to Ft. Myers

Howdy ICW fans  Stuart FL is on the St. Lucie River.  We took a mooring ball at Sunset Marina so we could get an early start crossing Lake Okeechobee via 3 locks.  However... the genset took a time out and decided to run about 5 minutes and stop.  Genset is pretty vital so we stayed an extra day and got Adolf to get the genset going.  I called three numbers and all went to Adolf.  Pretty funny because I emailed our sales gun in Annapolics (Cary) and he also recommended Adolf.  Clearly Adolph is the man!  So Adolf got two guys on my boat within 30 minutes.  Figured out the radiator cap on the exchange heater was faulty and the genset did not have an overflow tank.  Patti and I walked about 4 miles to an auto parts store and got one.  Then we had a nice anniversary dinner at Sailor's Return and finally left one day later.Today we went thru 3 locks and are about 50 miles from Ft. Meyers FL on the west side of FL.  The Okeechobee Waterway winds through the marshes and the birds were prolific.  I tried to get some pictures of the birds, but it wasn't easy.

We crossed Lake Okeechobee under cloudy skies and sporadic rainfall.  It's about 25 miles across from lock to lock.

One of the locks raised us 3 ft and another 2 1/2 ft.  About the time the back door closed, the front door began opening.  The first one raised us 13ft.  so that was definitely worthwhile.  After the third lock, we decided to stop for the night and continue on tomorrow.  So we tied to the dolphins on the west side of the locks.  They put cleats on the dolphins so boats can tie to them and wait for the locks but overnight stays are OK. . . and free!

Here is Manitou tied to the dolphins.  Another new experience for us, trying to get this done.

One more thing.  The ICW is full of signs telling you where to go.  This is one example.  Gotta love the road signs on the water.  Don't miss the turn!

Steven,  Have fun in Maui!!

Cocoa Village to St. Lucie River

The trip from St. Augustine through Daytona Beach and on to Cocoa Village was nervewracking because of depths.  There was always lots of water around us just not under us.  We saw many, many manatee signs and we decided the signs lied because we hadn't seen a manatee, until our last day in Cocoa Village.  As we were getting ready to leave, a manatee popped his head up in the vacant slip next to us.  So now we've seen one.  We began to think the manatees were playing with us as we took the Halifax river , the cut to the Indian river and then the Indian river because depths would be 12 and then 4 and then back to 12!  It was a couple of stressful days spending all our time looking at the depth sounder.  Others in Cocoa Village were saying the same thing, so it wasn't just us.

We did three days in Cocoa Village FL.  This was a very friendly marina and they even had a super bowl party on Sunday night in their clubhouse, which is very lavish.  Good game and it was interesting to enjoy it with people you don't know.

Took a day to go see the Kennedy space center, which was real interesting.  We even got to go into a flight simulator which simulates a space shuttle take off.  Then we watched a 3D movie about life on the space station.

How would you like to drive this around the moon!

We also spent one day just cleaning the boat.  Over a thousand miles so far and it needed it.  The town is really fun and they had a park with a great frisbee area for Molly.  And it gave Jon a chance to get over a flu bug or something.  Then we provisioned and headed out to Vero Beach FL (Start of the Tropics) we are told.  It is illegal to anchor in Vero Beach so we stayed on a mooring ball provided by the municipal marina.

This is the most boats we've seen in one place since we started!

We are beginning to see a lot more traffic, lots of sailboats headed south now that the depths are reasonable.  We've seen depths of 10-15 ft pretty consistently for the last 2 days.  We also noticed this morning that the water is changing color to turquoise from the usual mud brown.  The dolphins are still with us, popping up in front of the boat periodically to let us know.  Weather is overcast, warm and humid.  Next couple of days we will be crossing the state of Florida via lake Okeechobee.  Watch for alligators!  We head down the St. Lucie river to the Okeechobee Canal/ditch from Stuart FL to Lake Okeechoobee (2 locks), across the lake and down the Caloosahatchee river to Ft. Myers for our anniversary.. yeah i remembered it.  Then we will be heading north towards Tampa Bay, Tarpon Springs and meander to Mobile Bay.

Cumberland Island GA to Cocoa Beach FL.

Howdy to all you folks following our blog.  We really like all those colorful comments you send us. Keep that going as news of home is very welcome. Started the moring off with skeeters eating me alive as I took molly for her 'walk'.Hauled back to the boat loaded the dingy in record time and got out of there.
Left at 0815 and by 0830 we were in 4 feet of water backing off a shoal area.
I am sure we will get the ground hog award this year.
Then going up the south Amelia River clearly in the channel we hit 2 ft of water.
Thank God it was low tide and the tide was just coming up.  Hour later on the water again..  Finally in Nothern Florida.  We stayed at the muni dock in St. Augustine and tossed frisbee with Molly.
St Augustine was founded in 1565 and reeks of history.
Next morning we pulled out and headed for Smyrna Beach to rendesvous with Patsy Bolling.

We only made it to Daytona beach as there are numerous no wake zones, manatee zones where you can only go at idle speed.  Patti and I are in shorts and tank tops now.. wooohooo 70's and 80s.

Special thanks to Darsie Wells who is taking care of Mr. Charly and making sure everyone knows he is alright.  Some folks are wondering how the finger is doing.  All of the trauma is gone and soon i should be able to start bending it.  A part of the finger is gone and i have not been able to find it so the crabs probably enjoyed it.  Tomorrow is the space center and then away we go to Lake Okeechoobee and cross to the Gulf.

Walburg Creek to Frederica River to Cumberland Island

Well, never a dull moment.  The dolphins are still with us and the weather has been great!  We are switching to shorts, T-shirts and sandals and not running the heater as often.  Just enough to maybe take the edge off at night and first thing in the morning.  The afternoons have been warm and sunny.  Even the locals are commenting on the wonderful weather they've had.  Which is exactly what Farmer's Almanac said would happen this winter.  We left Walburg Creek and ventured further off the magenta line and tried our hand at "avoiding the charted shoals".  We made it through that and then went from river to creek to sound and back again.  We went through 4 sounds yesterday, Sapelo, Doboy, Altamaha and Buttermilk.  The water was maybe 20 ft deep.  We are, however, beginning to see deeper water.  Yesterday we did hit 60 ft for a brief moment.

Then we went off the magenta line again into Frederica River to anchor at the Frederica National Park.  We were able to dinghy to the dinghy dock and visit the park.  Frederica is a town that was settled in the early 1700's and then General Ogelthorpe and his regiment came and built a fort around the town to protect it from the Spanish coming from St. Augustine (who never showed).  It was really interesting to read the stories of the people who lived there and how they built the fort.

Molly played frisbee again until she dropped and found her new place on the swimstep

We had another wonderful night at anchor.  Calm and quiet.

Then we got brave again and continued down the Frederica River and exited it at the south end to meet the ICW.  We knew the water was thin there so we waited for the tide to come up a bit before venturing over the shoal. The tides peak in GA at 9 ft on our trip south.  From here the tides will be less. We made it through that one and then went through Jekyll Creek.  That was another story.  We spent the entire time in Jekyll Creek watching the depth sounder and I think at one point we skimmed the bottom slightly.  The guidebook said GA doesn't have any money for dredging but we've seen two dredgers. Just not in Jekyll Creek.  Anyway, made it through unscathed and hit our closest point to the ocean today in St. Andrews Sound.  We went right to the edge and then turned in towards Cumberland Island, which is the southernmost barrier island in GA.  We are now at Cumberland Island, the island with the wild horses, anchored in the Brickhill River at the Cumberland Island National Sea Shore Park, near the dinghy dock (makes it much easier to get Molly to shore).  I did find one of the wild horses, but could only get his butt.  He was busy munching on something.

Tomorrow by this time we should be in Florida.  Hoping to get to St. Augustine but that's a long day and it depends on who many NO WAKE zones we meet.  We're at Mile 703 of the ICW and that doesn't count the 140 or so miles we went from Annapolis to Mile 0 at Norfolk.  Mile 988 is where we turn to take the Okeechobee Waterway.  So about 285 more miles along the eastern seaboard!

Beaufort to Savannah to Walburg Creek

We have come a long way.  We left the cute little town of Beaufort heading for Savannah.  We now are winding through many rivers, cuts and creeks.  Gone are the long straight canals where you just set the autopilot and go.  But the scenery is better.  We are still in marshes but in Georgia now there are trees almost to the water with marshes in front of them.   Oh, and before I forget again, we are seeing dolphins several times daily as we head south.  They love to come up right in front of the boat.

Yesterday we stayed in Savannah, GA.  What a neat town!  Very historical and the waterfront uses all the same buildings that were built in the 1700 and 1800's.  Back then they were bars, guess what they are now. . . You guess it, pubs.  Touristy but neat to walk through.  However, Savannah is pricey.  Moorage was 2.50-3.00/ft and it's rolly because there are no breakwaters.  Dock just lies along the edge of the river.  Also, Savannah is one of the busiest ports on the east coast and all those ships have to go up the river past the moorage.  The river is not very wide.  We met one of these ships as we turned onto the river and there is barely enough room between the markers for the ship itself.  Then while we were walking around town, more ships came in.  Get a load of this!

Watching the ships is a favorite pastime of the tourists.  That and the candy factory where we watched this guy make salt water taffy.

After a very rolly night as ships left Savannah all night, we left there this morning and made our way further south and are now anchored in beautiful Walburg Creek.  There is an incredible deserted beach at the north end of St. Catherine's Island, which is a barrier island, so the ocean is just right there.

 Molly and I played frisbee on the beach till she was tuckered out and then Jon and I watched this beautiful sunset.

It doesn't get much better than this!

Isle of Palms and Charleston

We have been busy.  We spent 3 days with Paul and Janette Gifford at their beautiful home on the beach at Isle of Palms.  What a wonderful setting.  How would you like to get up each morning and walk down the boardwalk to the beach and stroll the beach?  Jon and I sure enjoyed it and Molly, well, need I say more.  The beach was calling to her every morning and every night.  It is a beautiful beach to walk and a great one for frisbee jumping.
Below is a picture of Gifford's house, then I turned around and took a picture of  the beach.

Boy Molly was tired after playing frisbee on the beach

AND Covered in sand!!  But she sure had fun

While with the Giffords we did some sightseeing.  We went to Boone Hall Plantation which is the oldest working plantation in the country.  They still plant and grow all kinds of veggies.  The Live Oak trees that line the entrance to Boone Hall are 270 years old and can live to be 470 years old

One of the traditions of Charleston is the Sweetgrass Baskets woven by African Americans.  I think these baskets are beautiful but they aren't cheap.  Try in the hundreds!

Well, after our visit with the Giffords, Jon left to go back to Seattle to work for a few days and I stayed in Isle of Palms on the boat with Molly.  Every morning we had to go to the beach.  She literally drug me there! I went and did some sightseeing on my own in Charleston and walked all over the town.  Then just when I thought it was going to be a lonely week, our Canadian friends showed up.  Karen and I went to Drayton Hall Plantation one day.  This one was different from Boone Hall in that the house has been preserved (not restored) in its original state.  We were both amazed that all those generations of Draytons decided to let this beautiful piece of property remain in its original state, no electricity, no plumbing in the house and it was eventually sold to a Trust who preserves it today.  One interesting fact is that at one point in the 1700's, I believe, it was against the law to have a kitchen in your house because of all the house fires.  So the kitchens were in an outbuilding next to the house, far enough away so as not to catch the house on fire.

So now we are up to today.  After visiting Charleston and surrounding areas and visiting again with our Canadian friends, we are on the move again.  Today we made our way from Isle of Palms to Beaufort, SC.  The landscape has changed somewhat again.  We went through the marshes and between Charleston and Florida, we wind our way through various rivers, creeks and cuts.  For much of the trip it has been long straight canals but now we are literally winding our way south.  In trying to put our routes together for the next few days, I found it difficult sometimes to know where to go.  On the charts there is a magenta line that denotes the ICW but sometimes when you get into a good size river, the line disappears and you have to do some searching in the charts to find where it picks up again.  Fortunately, it's usually pretty well marked.  Just follow the red triangles and the green squares.  Tomorrow we're off to Savannah!

Myrtle Beach to Georgetown SC

Well, the last few days have been eventful.  After Jon hurt his hand we spent the night at the fuel dock waiting for him to get stitched up, watched the casino boat dock in the narrow waters and then left at the crack of dawn.  His hand has been pretty painful the last 2 days so we took it easy yesterday, arrived at Myrtle Beach at probably 10am and just walked around Myrtle Beach and Barefoot Landing.  Barefoot Landing is a huge tourist trap with every tourist shop known to man, but since it's not in season we could walk around comfortably.  There are some good things about travelling so far out of season.. . No crowds, always plenty of dock space and anchoring room.  BUT the downside is that out here, literally nothing is open!  We are finally starting to see signs of life since Wrightsville Beach but still limited activities going on.  At least people are out and about and marinas are open.  No more extreme winterizing.  There was one thing we would have really liked to see and that was the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach.  Unfortunately, they were closed.  We did walk around it but the club and the restaurant were closed.  Bad timing on our part.

Jon's in heaven though because hot wings are a big thing down here.  Last night we had 8 for 8 which was 8 chicken wings for 7 bucks and then they bring you 8 more.  So guess what we had for dinner.

Since we left the Cape Fear River a couple of days ago at Southport NC, we have been in what is affectionately called "the ditch".  This is how we get to Charleston.  The landscape along the ditch has changed considerably as we have traveled down it.  First there was small towns, then as we hit Myrtle Beach we found very large expansive homes with long docks extending into "the ditch", a dock 3 stories high with a boat lift and both sun and shade decks, large staircases up to the 2nd floor of the house (don't want too much on the ground floor because of hurricanes and rising water), a rooftop sun deck; some very ostentatious.  Then we hit Myrtle Beach (tourist trap) and today we went through the Cypress Swamp.

At least it was a little more interesting to look at.  I couldn't get over the birds nests on the daymarkers

We have been seeing a lot more birds since we entered "the ditch".  Oh and, by the way, I've never seen so many day markers.  The entire ICW is marked with red and green daymarkers.  The problem is sometimes they decide the river is going downstream and the markers reverse.  Just enough to make it interesting.  We have been keeping the Skipper Bob book in front of us the entire time because it's very good at noting where all the shoals are (well, maybe not all of them!), telling us what to expect at the bridges (which are numerous) and where the good anchorages are (although I must say, we are incredibly spoiled in the PNW with our quiet coves to anchor in.  Here you just make your way up a creek off the ICW and hope for the best).

Tonight we're in Georgetown, SC.  Headlines in the newspapers are touting presidential candidates that stopped in Georgetown during their travels through SC.  This is a nice little town with some interesting history of settlement in the early 1700's and Washington coming through here when he was president to be entertained by one of the town stewards.  Lots of southern style homes with the well furnished big front porch.  My family will remember those front porches.  Remember, Kitty??

Tomorrow we're off to Isle of Palms to visit with the Giffords.  We're looking forward to that!  Next week Jon will return to Seattle for a few days of work and I'll tour Charleston.  I'm going to check in with our friends on the new Kadey Krogen and see if they will be making their way to Charleston next week.  They're at least a few days behind us but they have until June.  

Jan 16, 2012 Wrightfield Beach NC to Calabash Creek SC.

start:  mile 283 / 0900 / 467.32 /genset@60 /
Lot of no wake zones  kept our speed down but we made it. MLK day
pics along the way, sunk boat at dock and 100's of opulent homes.  The docks here stretch for at least 100 yds from the house across the marsh and into the ICW.

slowed down at the creek but backed off and anchored ok.
Launched the dingy and took Molly to town.. not much there.
the dinghy is pretty bad.  anyone want a boss boat with mariner 15hp ?
got back to boat and decided to put bridle on anchor chain.
while unkinking the chain i kneeled on the anchor up.
sucked my hand into windlass, ouch, couldn't pull it out, reversed windless , whew.
up anchor off to seacoast med center for 32 stiches.
Stayed at fuel dock and good night at the hurricane bar.  Talk about local color!
 end: mile 342 / 1800 / 474 / genset 63
Long night for Jonny

Jan 13,14 and 15th in North Carolina

Been a long three days but we are making way once again.
Met some great folks from Ontario, Canada hobnobbing around in a 46 Kady Krogen.  Gorgeous boat that we had a pot luck on 13th and dinner at Georgies on the 12th.  The wind was howling on the night of the 13rh, over 40kts at 0400.. Yeow.  A 45 foot sailboat came in with all hands frozen stiff.  I did get the sea king working and I am amazed how it can lock on to a signal and not drop it.
Jan 14th we motored from Belhaven to Morehead City, NC.  We slowed to a stop 3 times as the ICW is really shoal in many spots.  I am getting really good at backing up.  
A duck blind in the ICW going from Moreshead to Wrightsville Beach.

Pulled into Wrightsville Beach SeaPath Yacht club and was able to use the courtesy car to get groceries, west marine run and a hardware store.  Only slowed once today.. Marine patrol said I was going a little fast past the boat launch and he was right.  Did not see the ramp till we were on it.  Gave him the first timers excuse and it worked pretty wells.  In any case we are off to South Caroling tomorrow.  80 miles pre day is pretty taxing as you have at most 10 hours per day to motor.  We cruise at 9-10 kts.  We will see how it goes as Molly gets a little anxious every time we slow down.  We are experiencing a lot of current as we go through sounds and Estuaries.  Tides are still pretty minimal as far as Seattle tides are but in Georgia they increase considerably (9ft) and then fade back on going into Florida.  We will see.

Jan 11 & 12, 2012 Little Croc River to Bellhaven NC

Quite the canal after the little crocodile river 21 miles of canal at 15 ft of depth.  Started right off with a 14 foot bridge (we at 13'4") but we cleared easily by a foot.  Pretty overcast all day and got a little lumpy when we pulled in to Bellhaven Waterway Marina around 1500.  We went to the local hardware store and grocery and picked up a few items.  Raining continously.  I did get the sea king HDTV antennae working and we watched Fox news for the first time this month. Around 2030 (8:30PM Bob) a sailboat pulls in is all crossed up in the narrow marina parking.  After and hours of cursing, yelling and praying he tied up in front of us.  So we went down for the night.
Jan 12 morning, blowing Gale force winds in Palmico sound wo we hang it here at the dock and have frosties.
Remember that sailboat, He is aground at the dock.  What is your draft again ?  Trying to get him out of here he overreved his enging and it started puking oil in the water.  Dockmaster did not like that.  I have this fear i will be asked to tow is ass out of here and so I will stanby.
Bellhave pics follow

There for by the grace of God go I...

I think he busted an oil ring and will need a 'rebuild'

o    gotta go

Jan 11, 2012 Little Croc River to Bellhaven NC

Nice quiet start from the locks and down the ICW through a number of bridges that we cleared by at least a foot.  Kinda wierd going under a bridge and being able to touch the bottom as cars zoom by overhead. Going from North Landing river to Currituck sound (shaaaaloooow) , cross Albermarle sound and down to the Little Crocodile River which was one big mangrove swamp.  Got out the dingy, actually started right up after I jury rigged a deadman for the outboard.  Interesting town on the way was Coinjock that was in decline.
Coinjock

Little Croc River at dawn

Heading out to Bellhaven at milepost 132
For those following Molly she had her first time swim step relief moment... GOOD GIRL

Always a pleasure

Yorktown VA to mile 12 on the ICW 1/8 & 1/9.

We left Deltaville around 0800 and found a mooring buoy at Yorktown.  You remember that Yorktown was where Cornwallis surrendered to Washington.  Actually Cornwallis was allegedly ill and had his 2nd in command surrender to General Tom Nelson, Washingtons 2nd.  Got the dingy off the top of of the boat and into the water without too many problems.  Then I tried to get Mariner 15HP fuel line replaced and try to start.  Problem is the dead man ring was inoperative.
So raised up the dingy and moved to the Yorktown floating dock.  Marinas and docks run a lot more on the East Coast, instead of .75 foot your get to pay 1.75.  o wells.
Here are some of the historical pics from Yorktown.

Leaving Yorktown around 0800 we headed for Norfolk VA and the Mile zero start of the ICW.   Yes sir down the Elizabeth River by 4 aircraft carriers and about 30 ships of the line we started going under bridges of varying heights and to the locks.  Some of the sights along the way.  Pretty Seattle all the way from Yorktown, rainy and 40 degrees.  So after a long day of Chesapeake Bay, Norfolk Naval Yard, downtown Norfolk, 5 bridges and one 2 foot lock we rest.