... and Glory Days is off to Miami!

Here is a blow by blow recount of the first day's exciting events.

So, the plan is to go from Norfolk, Virginia to the Visitor's Center of the Dismal Swamp

This is the entire route to be done today.

This will be the final destination: Thanks Google Maps!

Drawings are for Glory Days (GD) and John (JR)

AND >>>> We finally get the first image of the trip

... entering the Dismal Swamp.

I looked it up and guess what? 

Found EXACTLY where the picture was taken from

via Google Maps:

As you enter the Dismal Swamp, you are greeted by a lock:

Some pics by John of that traverse:

At the lock

At the lock

 

At the lock 

This is Capt. Bill.

Thanks for your help Capt. Bill!

And some random pictures:

Leaving Norflolk with very high winds.

Going under a draw bridge

At the marina in Norfolk before the departure

A VERY SPECIAL thanks to Joe!

Here is Joe leaving us with Glory Days

and going back home to a well deserved

rest after a grueling delivery trip

Joe sent us this: The track made via his 

Navionics app on his iPad - It recorded

the entire trip from Falmouth to Norfolk:

THANKS AGAIN JOE!

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I have to post John's comments of the day:

Sent U 2 a bunch of pictures. We left today in a major wind storm. We debated for a while whether to stay but Bill gave me the confidence to leave. We had to wait for several bridges and it was hard maneuvering with high winds. Once we got to the dismal swamp canal it settled down because the canal is very protected. We had to wait another hour for the locks to open, and we rode it up 8 feet. So even though we only went 28 miles, it took most of the day. We pulled in to a free dock at the Dismal swamp visitors center, and are now rafted up with 12 other boats. Boat is running great and Bill is a huge help in figuring it all out. Steaks on the grill, baked potatoes, all is good. And amazingly, have a 4 G connection in the middle of nowhere!

Tomorrow we have a short day and head to Elizabeth NC. Another lock and another 22 miles. By Thursday the weather should settle down and we can make some distance.

John... I have one comment.... look at how far away from civilization you are at right now, and why it's so incredible you have cellphone signal.....: (hehehehe)