Companion Travels: Tidewater Yachts Portsmouth VA, Coinjock NC, Alligator River Marina Columbia, NC

Tuesday morning after a short trip from Hampton we arrived back at Tidewater Yachts in Portsmouth, VA. We had stayed here back in June for about a week. Ron got to buy himself a red Tidewater Cap and claim that he is Rob's twin!

Mile Marker Zero!

Sunset at Tidewater

Sunset Cruise Ship out of Norfolk

One Last Look at Norfolk Naval Center

Following Cargo Ship Out of Harbor

Wednesday we left Portsmouth and headed down the Virginia Cut to Coinjock, NC. There are two historic waterways The Dismal Swamp Canal (DSC) and the Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal (ACC) also referred to as the Virginia Cut. We took the Dismal Swamp Canal while coming up north a few months ago, so this trip we chose the Virginia cut.

The Place to Make the Choice

George Washington along with a group of investors owned about 50,000 acres of the Dismal Swamp. In 1793 construction of a canal began at both ends of the dismal. Most of the labor was down by slaves hired from nearby landowners. The canal had to be dug completely by hand, so progress was slow and expensive. The slaves became so familiar with the swamp that it eventually became a haven for runaways. Later in the the anti-slavery era large colonies of maroons settled in the canal areas. Harriett Beecher Stowe wrote her second great novel, "Dred: a Tale of the Great Dismal Swamp". The Dismal Swamp Canal was eventually opened in 1805.
The construction of the Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal was accomplished by seven steam dredges on floating platforms. The canal was completed in 1859. It's single lock, the Great Bridge Lock, is 220 feet long and 40 feet wide. Today you will find the lock lined with beautiful crepe myrtle trees. Passing through the Great Bridge we were reminded of the historical significance of that river crossing. During the Revolutionary War of 1775 the American Patriots routed the British soldiers, causing the British to evacuate their hold on Virginia. This allowed Americans to use Norfolk as a major seaport.

Stairway to Nowhere...

Dragon Fly Catching a Ride

Lock & Great Bridge Behind it

Tied up in the Lock

Captain Ron Checking in With First Mate

Exiting the Lock

Beautiful Crepe Myrtles

Wednesday we continued on our way south six hours to Coinjock, NC. It is the only marina on the Virginia Cut. Coinjock's claim to fame is their 32oz steak! :-) Neither one of us tried that, we opted for seafood instead.

Long Face Dock at Coinjock

In Case You Get Lost

Boat Secured Makes a Happy Captain

Thursday at 7:00 we continued our journey down the Virginia Cut through Albemarle Sound to the Alligator River. Traveling on the Albemarle Sound can sometimes be a challenging crossing due to winds approaching from east or west and building waves in this wide body of water. In addition you have to keep a very watchful eye for there are many crab pots within the channel. Luckily our trip was vary calm and we pulled into the Alligator River Marina in Columbia, NC late morning.