May 17,2011 Edged off of the dock at Coinjock Marina just at 8 am. Followed the parade of boats as we cruised up the North Carolina Cut, into Coinjock Bay & then into North Landing River. Very dark & overcast day. Motored past Pungo Ferry (which is no longer a ferry, but a bridge.) Stayed in line to go through two swing bridges (Centerville Tpke. & North Landing) & then under a 65 ft. bridge (Great Bridge) Then we came to the 6 ft bridge & locks (Great Bridge locks) We were behind 6 sailboats & we had to coax them to get moving as they were all bunched up together. Of course it started to pour just as we approached the locks. Most of the sailboats veered of to the sea wall but we persevered (along with two other boats) We got into the locks & the attendents came out & helped tie us up to the seawall. Then the gates closed & down went the water. Ten minutes later we were on our way again. Not a bad experience except for the rain. We had a couple more bridges to wait for (including a RR bridge that must have had the longest, slowest train passing over it) We finally left North Carolina & crossed into Virgina. We now were in the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, passing Chesapeake (the city). Lots of barge traffic & big navy ships. We came around the corner & saw we were in Portsmouth & Norfolk. Wow!! We found our anchorage by the Naval Hospital & across from the battleship USS Wisconsin (museum) A thunderstorm passed by us, to the west just after we anchored. Enjoyed an early dinner & looking forward to a peaceful night at anchor. We start up Chesapeake Bay tomorrow. We passed mile 0 on the ICW.