Great Bridge Virginia

We were up, showered and ready to leave Coinjock Marina by 7:00 am. Most of the other transient boaters had already left the Coinjock docks. As we prepared to throw our lines, Larry and Flora from Panda Bear stopped by to chat so we didn't end up leaving until after 8:00.

We departed from the dock together but Panda Bear pulled ahead and moved out of sight. We caught them at the North Landing Swing Bridge, barely making it in time to pass thru on the same opening. We continued on to the Centerville Turnpike Swing Bridge and slid under it together. These two swing bridges are extremely low at only a few feet off the water. It's not something we've seen often on the Great Loop!

Panda Bear

Panda Bear passing Mystic

Very calm morning

Osprey keeping an eye on the waterway

Live aboard who was chased out of Great Bridge free dock

Kayaker along the ICW

Very low swing bridge along ICW

Mystic at Great Bridge Free Docks

We arrived at the Great Bridge Free Dock by 2:00 pm and slipped along the face dock for an easy tie up. There is only one other boat already tied off. Panda Bear landed across from us at Atlantic Yacht Basin so they could have electricity to run air conditioning. It is very rare to have access to electricity and/or water at free docks. 

A cabin cruiser came in and tied up behind us. The couple needed to get through the Great Bridge Lock just north of the Great Bridge Bascule Bridge to get home. The Lock was closed due to a malfunction so they decided to leave their boat overnight, right next to Mystic. We exchanged phone numbers to be able to contact them if we needed to.

The air was hot and sticky which made our boat uncomfortable. I put up the wind scoop right away to help move air through Mystic. It helps but only a little. We can stay at the free dock for 24 hours. It's a great place for us to sit for the night. We can replenish groceries close by. There are restaurants and bars nearby as well. This is a popular spot for fishing and hiking. 

Another sailboat, looking for a place to stay, arrived at Great Bridge. Dave jumped up to help with their lines. Pater and Trudi are from Richards Bay South Africa. The wind caught them as they came in with S/V Andromeda Sol but they made it in safely. Once they were docked, they told us they were waked by a powerboat just south of Great Bridge. It caused them to run aground. Three boats stopped to help and they were able to get off the sandbar by tipping Andromeda. To do this, you take a halyard from the top of the mast and tip the boat to the side. The idea is that when the boat is tipped your draft is lessened. It worked for Andromeda. We met Nicole and Eric aboard one of the boats that helped them. They are at the end of a year long journey from Baltimore to the Bahamas and back aboard their catamaran Wild. The boating community is tight. Folks jump at the chance to help another boater in need.

Andromeda Sol at Great Bridge

We talked to Trudi and Peter from Andromeda Sol for quite some time. They are ocean sailors with very little motor time. Their draft is deep at 7 feet. They had a worse time than us with the shallows once they entered the ICW at Beaufort North Carolina.

Trudi makes her own yogurt each day. I asked her for the recipe and she gave me a bit of her yogurt as a starter. It's from Turkey and is hundreds of years old. It's super easy to make yogurg; you take a couple of tablespoons of the starter, add whole milk and then powdered milk, (to thicken), then let it sit on the counter for 8 hours in a loosely covered glass jar. I was excited to start my first batch. Trudi told me I had to take care of my starter. She said it would be very bad to break the chain by letting the yeast die off. 

Making Yogurt

We walked into town for provisions and stopped at Dairy Queen for an ice cream treat on the way back! The free dock sits alongside the Battle of Great Bridge Museum and has a gorgeous hiking trail. We walked the trail in the morning. The swallowtail butterflies filled the bushes in the park. A family of geese paddle by watching for any chance of a handout.

View of Atlantic Yacht Basin from the free docks

Hibiscus

View under the high bridge along hiking trail

Dave with Mystic at Great Bridge

Swallowtail

Finally, we can catch photos of the swallowtails

Great Bridge is a wonderful stop. The docks are new, the area feels safe, and the people are friendly. A local gentleman came to the dock and talked to Dave for over an hour about sailboats and cruising. 

We had hoped to walk to the 4th of July fireworks but it was too far away on roads not meant for walking. The 4th of July holds great meaning for us. It is the anniversary of the day we were married, 32 years ago! We will remember this year, fondly, as a day of relaxing and spending time with kindred souls!