Our generator ran until we called it a night just before 10:00 p.m. The night started with a nice warm cabin and a few extra blankets on the bed. We stayed warm and slept well, even as the interior temperature dropped overnight. The sound of falling rain on the cabin top woke me around 6:00, but I was in no rush to get moving. It was 55 degrees in the cabin and today was going to be a short day. Barry got up around 7:00 and turned on the generator. The heat quickly knocked the chill out of the air. Commercial traffic was already moving up the Elizabeth River as we had breakfast. A slight drizzle was falling and the wind had picked up, but was still light. Most importantly, the morning temperature was 42 degrees and a welcomed change from yesterday. The anchor came up at 9:30, with a healthy supply of mud on it. I cleaned it off, and then the deck, as we moved along our way. Today I was thankful to be sporting foul weather boots (borrowed from Barry) and my feet stayed warm and dry.
We passed by more Naval vessels in port for maintenance. It is always interesting to see a ship totally exposed in dry dock. We approached the Norfolk and Portsmouth Belt Line Railroad Bridge just as it was lowering for a train to pass. After a small delay, we were once again on our way. The rain picked up and I was glad I had applied the Rain-X to the windows before we departed Deltaville.
We fell in line behind a tug pushing a barge as we approached the next set of bridges. We did not need for the Gilmerton Highway Bridge to open for us. Its 35-foot vertical clearance is plenty for Crossroads. Once again, however, we were delayed as the Norfolk and Western Railroad Bridge was down for train traffic. We sat at idle and watched as two trains crossed the span, one in each direction. Back underway, we passed the sign for the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway split. We have never taken the Dismal Swamp Canal, and still haven't. Maybe one day. We continued along the familiar Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal. Even with the delays, we were in good shape to make the 11:30 lock opening at Great Bridge. The lockmaster had the gates open for us and we pulled right in.
The bumpers along the lock wall were covered with boat stickers. This must be a relatively new thing as I do not remember seeing them when we passed through in May. I looped my line over the cleat and waited for our short drop of two feet. We exited the lock and headed for the bascule bridge as it opened for us.
A short distance past the bridge is Atlantic Yacht Basin, a spot we've visited numerous times. We pulled in and topped off our diesel tanks with 150 gallons and pumped out the holding tank. The rain was falling harder as we made our way to the far bulkhead for tie-up. After a quick lunch Barry picked up the Amazon package and then we settled in for the afternoon. A little computer work and a little stretching were the main accomplishments. An emphasis for me this trip is maintaining my flexibility, even when we go for days without leaving the boat and getting in a walk. Until dark, we watched the boat parade pass us by.
So, we'll be here until Monday morning. All the talk is of the coastal storm that will bring rain and wind this weekend. We'll be safe, warm, and dry here at the dock. If the rain lets up, we'll gladly take a walk in the adjacent parks.
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