Today we explored the opposite shore and found the Portsmouth Shipyard Museum and Portsmouth lightship. This side is more conducive to visiting boaters as it has free docks to tie up at during the day. Norfolk charged $3.25 to land your dinghy. They have a nice children’s museum with an extensive toy train collection along…

The Deep Creek Bridge opened up at 8:30. There was no hurry to get from there to the lock, as the lock keeper does both jobs. This lock, the last of two on the Dismal Swamp canal was a real treat. As we descended eight feet to the level of the Elizabeth River, the lockmaster,…

After a relaxing lay day exploring Elizabeth City’s restored old homes, visiting the library and splicing some lines we departed at 0630. The engine wasn’t happy about starting and there was a terrible whine from the engine compartment. Looks like the fan that vents hot air from the engine wasn’t quite round anymore, so we…

Today’s passage was only four hours, so we decided to enjoy the cool of the morning at anchor. The picture is of last night’s sunset. We had a little difficulty raising the anchor as the chain caught the fluke of the spare anchor on the way up. It didn’t take long to straighten out and…

Earl Quick helped us change the dinghy and ladder so it was easier to retrieve. Also mounted the LCD panel so we can see the computer screen in the cockpit. This allows us to see where we are on an electronic chart and it repeats all the instrument information. Earl, Craig, Jim & Barb all…

So this is the day that seven years of planning and preparation come to fruition. We are on a year-long  sabbatical where we can sail and explore while teaching our son third grade along the way. Leaving from Northwest Creek Marina in New Bern, North Carolina, the plan is to go up the East Coast,…