We exited the Dismal Swamp back into the fast lane with jet skis and water skiers having fun on a summer Saturday but we missed the quiet oasis we had just left. Another few miles and we were in the Portsmouth/Norfolk VA area, home of the US Navy fleet. With so many sailors around, there are bound to be mermaids, and there are 2 Hooters within a 1 mile radius.
Portsmouth and Norfolk are connected by bridges, a tunnel and a paddlewheel ferry across the Elizabeth River. We took this over to Norfolk on Sunday to explore the maritime and science museum, the Nauticus. You can get lost here for hours watching The Living Sea movie, engaging in a simulated naval battle at the AEGIS theatre, learning more about NOAA and our ocean world as well as see shark tanks. Adults and kids alike were involved in the interactive exhibits. The second floor is a free exhibit of naval history and art at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum which prepares you to visit the Navy battleship, the USS Wisconsin.
While on the deck on the USS Wisconsin, I spotted our next boat, the 221-foot White Cloud, complete with helicopter. One internet yachting site suggests that it is owned by Barry Diller, the TV programming guru who is married to Diane von Furstenberg. This is their small boat compared to Eos, a 305-foot mammoth yacht. Our little 32 -foot Baby Grand is not even big enough to be their dinghy.
We topped our day off with a walking tour around the Free Mason Historic district and the Free Mason Abbey, now a restaurant, has some interesting stain glass windows. We went back to the Waterside harbor area to take the ferry back and met Joyce and Wayne on Lady J again . They are from San Diego, just bought a Marine Trader here recently, and are figuring out their new boat and traveling plans.
We are staying on the Portsmouth side at the Ocean Marine Yacht Center and picked up diesel for $1.82 per gallon. The marina is next to the nTelos Wireless (outdoor) Pavilion, and during our stay, we were serenaded with rap music on Saturday and the US Army on Sunday and we wished that we were here instead on June 8th for the Celtic Women concert. Waterside Marina on the Norfolk side would be quieter but has a tighter harbor for docking.
Portsmouth and Norfolk are connected by bridges, a tunnel and a paddlewheel ferry across the Elizabeth River. We took this over to Norfolk on Sunday to explore the maritime and science museum, the Nauticus. You can get lost here for hours watching The Living Sea movie, engaging in a simulated naval battle at the AEGIS theatre, learning more about NOAA and our ocean world as well as see shark tanks. Adults and kids alike were involved in the interactive exhibits. The second floor is a free exhibit of naval history and art at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum which prepares you to visit the Navy battleship, the USS Wisconsin.
While on the deck on the USS Wisconsin, I spotted our next boat, the 221-foot White Cloud, complete with helicopter. One internet yachting site suggests that it is owned by Barry Diller, the TV programming guru who is married to Diane von Furstenberg. This is their small boat compared to Eos, a 305-foot mammoth yacht. Our little 32 -foot Baby Grand is not even big enough to be their dinghy.
We topped our day off with a walking tour around the Free Mason Historic district and the Free Mason Abbey, now a restaurant, has some interesting stain glass windows. We went back to the Waterside harbor area to take the ferry back and met Joyce and Wayne on Lady J again . They are from San Diego, just bought a Marine Trader here recently, and are figuring out their new boat and traveling plans.
We are staying on the Portsmouth side at the Ocean Marine Yacht Center and picked up diesel for $1.82 per gallon. The marina is next to the nTelos Wireless (outdoor) Pavilion, and during our stay, we were serenaded with rap music on Saturday and the US Army on Sunday and we wished that we were here instead on June 8th for the Celtic Women concert. Waterside Marina on the Norfolk side would be quieter but has a tighter harbor for docking.
