Norfolk, Virginia

 After enjoying the lush & quiet serenity of The (un)Dismal Swamp, our first full view of the Norfolk skyline provides quite a contrast.

This railroad bridge is in the "open" position to allow ships in and out of the harbor.  Our friend's boat, directly under the bridge, gives you an idea of the height requirements of passing ships!  

 

 

 

 

 

 Downtown Norfolk and the Waterside Marina, where Spiritus will spend four nights.

 

 

 

 

 

 We had a "ringside seat" for watching all the activity of Norfolk's marvelous waterfront.

It seems everything in Norfolk is touched by or connected to the waterways, the Navy, or the shipping industry.

 

 

 

 

 Spiritus thinks about joining the U.S. Navy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Our hometown of Pensacola has its painted Pelican statues, Venice has its painted Turtle statues, and

 Norfolk has its painted "Mermaids".

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The USS Wisconsin found a parking space in downtown Norfolk. 

  

 

 

 

 

 

It's easy to see why the "Wisky" was the largest battleship of its class.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Cobblestone streets and brick sidewalks help make this the quintessential colonial town! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The beautiful stone used on this 1894 church reminds us of our home in the Cotswolds of England.

  

 

 

 

 

 

Like many churches built in the early 1800's, this Presbyterian church is surrounded by tombstones.

The funeral of General Douglas MacArthur was held at this church.

 

 

 

 

 

Norfolk has a fantastic, modern trolley system.

We've never seen a city with cleaner streets!

 

 

 

 

 

Just enjoying a walk through one of a dozen downtown parks.

 

 

 

 

Ever mindful of her Southern heritage, Norfolk's Civil War Memorial towers proudly over the city.

 

 

 

 

One of the city's mermaids reaches out to get a taste of Linda's ice cream!

 

 

 

 

 

If you ever get to Norfolk, don't miss the MacArthur Memorial.

 

 

 

 

 

This five-foot "portrait" of General MacArthur was impressive, not only for its detail, but the fact that it was done in needlepoint!

 

 

 

 

 

The General & his wife are interned in the rotunda of the Norfolk City Hall, which has been converted to the MacArthur Museum.

 

 

 

 

 

The General's signature hat, corncob pipe, and "aviator" sunglasses.

 

 

 

 

 

One of the ferries from our marina that runs between the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth.

 

 

 

 

Spiritus departs her dock at the break of dawn and looks back at a city she hopes to return to someday.

 

 

 

 

 

The morning sun breaks over the horizon as we leave Norfolk.

 

 

 

 

 

One last reminder on the morning we left, that Norfolk is a busy, busy port city.

The tug that is guiding this container ship is twice at long as Spiritus!