Before departing this morning, we needed to remove some of the salty residue from yesterday. Barry washed our pilothouse windows and I followed behind with the squeegee. We were good to go. The canal water was still and the wind was light as we exited the facedock at Coinjock Marina. Granny's compass was spot-on as we headed north into Currituck Sound. So much for our clean windows. The north wind once again whipped up a chop that frequently sent water up to the glass. The breeze blew steadily at 25-30 knots with gusts topping 40, but we were comfortable in the pilothouse.
The scenery improved once we entered the North Landing River. Osprey populated most day markers. Some of them had massive nests. Turtles sunned themselves on floating logs as we paced our arrival to the first of two bridge openings. The North Landing Swing Bridge opened on the hour and we coasted through without stopping. One hour later, we reached the Centerville Turnpike Bridge with similar timing, and passed right through. Shortly thereafter we tied up at the Great Bridge Town Dock and I quickly left the boat for a long-anticipated walk through the adjoining park.
Finally ... terra firma. The Sweet Virginia Breeze* was dampened by the canopy yet the sun shined warmly through to the forest floor. I soon removed my jacket and rolled up my sleeves while getting in more steps than I had in the last two weeks combined. Tender new leaves glowed in the filtered light. An elaborate boardwalk led to an observation platform at the edge of a marsh where the grasses flowed in mesmerizing wind-powered waves.
The real highlights for me were the flowers. The whites of dogwood, viburnum, and spirea were a welcome reintroduction to springtime in Virginia. Also on display were the non-so-welcome signs of spring -- pine pollen and dandelions. Today, however, all is good and I'm thankful for this place.
*Sweet Virginia Breeze, by Steve Bassett and Robbin Thompson,
is the Commonwealth's Official Popular Song.
Woke up this morning, the breeze blowin' 'cross my face,
And I just had to look up above and thank somebody for this place,
Because He must've been thinkin' bout me
When He planted that very first dogwood tree,
It's where I want to be,
Livin' in the Sweet Virginia Breeze.
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