Canterbury Sails by Chasseur: Norfolk, VA

October 24 -25, 2012 Wednesday-Thursday

It was just 2 hours to cross Hampton Roads, the body of water from Fort Monroe to Norfolk, VA. Hampton Roads is one of the largest natural harbors in the world. It was so exciting to enter the Elizabeth River to the United States Navy Docks. The enormity of the ships and their docking facilities was an incredible sight. Just further down are international docks for cargo ships and cruise liners. We tied up just a little south at Waterside Marina in Downtown, Norfolk. We could easily walk through downtown, and the U.S.S. Wisconsin Battleship was located practically next to us. The weather was beautiful with temperatures in the 70's - 80 and sunny, it felt so good. The marina provides free taxis to a nice grocery store. The city has free transportation via electric cars that deliver anyone to wonderful restaurants, shopping and art museums, etc.
We visited the Nauticus Maritime Museum that includes a tour of the battleship "Wisconsin". The museum had marine life on display and a comprehensive review of maritime history, but it was the battleship that was most interesting to us. The "Wisconsin" was built in 1944, an incredible ship. Her sea trials took place here in the Elizabeth River where we are tied up now. She attained speeds never before and never again achieved by any battleship at 39 kts or nearly 50 mph, during her sea trials. The 16 inch guns fired a 2700 pound projectile, as well as a 1900 pound shell over 20 miles! The "Wisconsin" went into retirement after the Desert Storm War.
The city is speckled with artistic mermaids, quite beautiful. They say that the poles they sit on go right to the water and if you put your head to their chest you can hear the sea. Suzanne gave it a try on several and never heard a thing. The city must get a kick out of tourists running around putting their heads on the mermaids chests.
We had perfect weather to move on down the River but we were torn with the news of Hurricane "Sandy". If we moved, we would arrive in Coinjock, N.C. in 2 days, where we would wait for a perfect weather window to cross Abermarle Sound. There is not anything in Coinjock, so if we have to wait for the weather window to cross the Sound we would not be in a pleasant place for the hurricane. If we only went part way we would be stuck in Atlantic Yacht Basin that does not have much in the way of facilities, boats would be rafting, not a good option in 50-70 kts of wind. There was a lot of discussion on the docks about our options. If we stay where we are, we could be dealing with wild tide surges. We are tied up to floating docks, if the tide goes up over the pilings the boats in the marina will come loose and smash everywhere and everything. After much discussion with the dock master, other sailors and locals, and using the same "filter" we have used regarding bad weather forecasts before...."where would we rather be if we get stuck somewhere?", we decided to stay in Norfolk. We could be here for a week or more. It was not a bad decision, and maybe not a good decision but it was "a" decision!
Now that we had made our decision, it was time to start to enjoy Norfolk. We visited the "free" Chrysler Art Museum with new friends Larry and Rose Ray on S/V "IRAZU", who had decided to ride out "Sandy" here in Norfolk as well. The art museum is a must see, a great collection of a wide variety of artists, art styles and mediums, most of which was donated by the wife of Walter P. Chrysler Jr. (of Chrysler Corporation) after his death. It was hard to believe that one person could own so much art and artifacts.

"From the right point of view, every storm and every drop in it is a rainbow."

Henry David Thoreau