Traffic dodging, military and commercial.



After a quiet night at anchor, with just a few light sprinkles of rain, we arose to a clearing sky that later became bright sunshine. Heading for the Tidewater Marina at Portsmouth, we dodged heavy (in the displacement sense) traffic for two hours, running the diesel. The only thing we got close to was a very large crane/barge being moved by two tugs. They did an abrupt course change with no radio contact or other signal, obviously depending on us to get the hell out of their way.

We are going to stay here two nights, hoping the Dismal Swamp opens tomorrow and that the snowbird traffic backlog gets out of our way. Obviously they are draining off a lot of swamp water as the Elizabeth River has become very brown with tannin.

Our cruising buddies from HI have come in to the same marina, so there is a group forming for dinner at a German restaurant nearby. Party on.

PS We have been seeing some dolphins: groups of small ones playing up near Reedville, a couple heading for the boat as we entered Hampton Roads, and this morning a couple of groups playing in traffic. Great fun to watch.