Atlantic Yacht Basin (AYB) Aboard Veritas

We left the Coinjock dock just after 7:00 am and made our way up Currituck Sound. We moved along the North Landing River, around curves and switchbacks through skinny, or low water. There was little to no wind. We only had to wait 10 minutes for the North Landing Swing Bridge, then 10 more for the Centerville Turnpike Swing Bridge. It was an easy, laid back day. We crossed the Virginia state line at 11:00 am, passing green day marker 63, which is also mile marker 34. We celebrated with selfies, high fives and a quick toot of the air horn! Virginia is our final destination.

Beth and Dave watching for navigational markers

Dave at the helm

David and Susan cell phone connecting

CELEBRATING crossing into Virginia!

Approaching AYB Marina

Our next port is Atlantic Yacht Basin or AYB, in Chesapeake, Virginia. It is our last stop before arriving at Susan and David's home port of Hampton, Virginia. When we arrived, Susan approached the long face dock and aimed for the open spot that the dockmaster directed us to. There were two trawlers already there. As we slowly slid into the space, David used his foot to push off a boat as we passed very close to it's hull.

AYB is a working yard with a ton of vessels in the marina basin, as well as many boats in work buildings and in the yard. There is a lot going on here. We even discovered a Looper boat on the dock!

Beth posing in front of Looper boat at AYB

Boat Reflection on the canal

Boats docked in Marina basin

Sailboats reflection

Beautiful basin reflection

Veritas is sitting at the South end of the dock, a long walk from the Dock Master's office and the bath house, but it is quiet. AYB is nothing like we imagined from reading Looper posts about staying here. One Looper was tied to this very dock when a tug driver crushed her sailboat with the barge it was pushing. Luckily, she was not on board. It is hard to imagine this happening. As we prepared Veritas for the evening, a tow passed by, pushing a barge. It always gets our attention when the wall of steel comes our way.

We walked up to check out the bath house. Dave reported that the Men's room was nothing special but Susan and I were happy with the Women's; it was quite nice. When we returned to Veritas we realized there was a gazebo covered bench right beside us on the dock. We sat in the shade, enjoying a nice breeze, and alternated between sips of cold water and cold beer. David had purchased Mother Earth "Booty" microbrew which he'd first tried in Beaufort. It was delicious, especially in the excessive heat! Susan and David went below to be in the air conditioning while Dave and I went for a walk.

We discovered the lock and dam, and a park on the other side of Great Bridge. I'd taken my camera along because I know there is always something to capture in these little towns. The lock canal is a popular fishing spot. The shoreline leading up to the lock was lined with gorgeous blooming trees, the water was dead calm. It was a beautiful evening for taking sunset photos.

We returned to Veritas and settled in for the night. Tomorrow, Susan and David will complete their circumnavigation of America's Great Loop as Veritas crosses her wake. It is a very big day for them.