 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) is an inland waterway along the coast, officially going from north of Boston along the East coast, around Florida, and across the Gulf Coast to Brownsville, Texas. The most traveled portion of this route is from Norfolk to Miami. Many people travel the "inside" exclusively, never venturing into open ocean. The climatic zone goes from temperate to subtropical with varied landscape and wildlife. Small towns with their festivals, fairs, and other activities welcome cruisers. As long as a boat's mast can get under the 65 foot bridges, there is no impediment to traveling the ICW other than occasional shoaling.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Above is a beautiful sunset enjoyed from an anchorage.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Markers indicate the channel. This one has a small solar panel to power the light and a green number with yellow square indicating the ICW. Birds frequently build their nests on the platforms.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The water has the color of strong tea or coffee, tinted by tannin from rotted vegetation along the banks. Boat hulls not well waxed acquire a "mustache" along their bows from the tannin.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The landscape is flat. On a sunny day the water reflects the blue of the sky contrasted with green vegetation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Occasionally there are small marinas and restaurants along the route. Coinjock is one of the popular restaurants with limited dock space for overnight stays.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sailboats, trawlers, small fishing boats, and all kinds of motor cruisers go up and down the ICW. This was one of the more unusual vessels we saw.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A 65 foot bridge is best because you can just keep on going without delay.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are a variety of other bridges. This is a double pivot, allowing passage on either side of the center.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This bridge swings the entire span to one side.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This bridge raises the entire span to one side.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This bridge lifts half of each span to each side, admitting boats into the only lock at Great Bridge, VA. There are free docks for about seven boats on each side of the bridge.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The lock allows passage from the ICW level to the level of the river system leading to the Chesapeake, about a four foot difference.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|