We had fun kidding Bruce about his sighting of a “ghost” ship……a ship he swore was moving but others believed was in dry dock. We may never know if he was right or hallucinating although perhaps another South Branch Elizabeth River paddle will solve the puzzle one way or another.
When we reached the mouth of the river’s branch, we turned right and again witnessed the interesting sights and goings on at another private shipyard, this time Colonna’s if I remember correctly. We took a little stretch break at a dock behind the train station near Harbor Park before we paddled past the Harbor Park’s ferry dock. We then could not help but notice how ratty, unkempt and weedy the shoreline is along the entire waterfront behind Harbor Park until reaching Waterside.
Bill’s pictures show our Waterside pull-out spot for lunch. There we were entertained by all the kids running through the water spots…..and this also include a run through by Bruce. More proof TG’ers are just a bunch of kids anyway.
As for adventure, on our return trip Bill and John were rapidly approached by the Navy’s water patrol boat as we passed Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Front and center on that boat was a tall mounted Gatling gun or some such armor . The next thing we heard was a loud speaker telling them they needed to be out 100 feet, they were too close. We three in front did not hear any gunfire, so we had to “assume” they did as told. Both were well and whole back at the put-in. Bill argued later, and he was right, i.e., none of us ever saw a sign warning of the 100 foot no boating zone. Bill earlier also was told not to take a picture by someone yelling down from a Navy building. Again, no sign prohibiting such. Believe he was getting ready to snap only a picture of a Navy barrack’s ship, but he’ll have to clarify that for you since perhaps it was of the submarine shown in his pictures anyway.
The next adventure was a friendly but loud toot from a very large tugboat coming up behind us as we were leaving the river for the park. I personally have never seen such a huge tugboat, it had to have been an ocean going type. Need to check that out.
The final adventure turned out to be something that left us all with a souvenir. As we pulled out, we were approached by a Chesapeake Park Ranger who advised he’d left warning notices on all our cars. Even though we’d parked two cars in one trailer/car spot, it did not count. He was nice enough to give us only a warning, pointing out had the lot been full and busy, he would have had to write us each a ticket. This needs to be kept in mind for the TG’s next paddle out of the Elizabeth River Park.
Tuesday Group leaders always are proud when their trips turn out to be a success, and so I have to say here I am very proud. Tuesday’s paddle was really great and a huge success. Not only was it extremely interesting, different and fun with perfect weather, and some unusual adventures, it also was a first for the Tuesday Group. By that I mean it had 100% participation with all participants going afterwards for ice cream at McDonald’s.. That has to be a record in itself even with only five paddlers!!!
Sandra Canepa
Click here to view Bill Billings' super pictures: https://www.flickr.com/gp/bbi/6w097A