May 10 – Portsmouth, VA

High St. Ferry Dock

“I’m not lost, I’m exploring” –Jana Stanfield

We spent another day at the free dock in Portsmouth. Stan noticed in Great Bridge that he needed some new bearings on his bike...it was still usable but he was worried at some point it would give out. We found a bike shop on High Street that could do the work today, so Stan took his bike in as soon as they opened. We then took the water taxi (ferry) over to Norfolk to take care of another issue Stan was having...his phone died a few days ago. Luckily we had an extra phone for him to use temporarily. A visit to the Apple Store at the McArthur Center and he was back in business.

Our friends from Jacksonville arrived in the basin on Miss My Money while we were gone. It was great getting to see them again. They're doing the Great Loop for the second time this year. We enjoyed a nice dinner at Lobscouser and then did a little exploring on our bikes. It's always nice reconnecting with friends.

Elizabeth River Ferry takes people between Portsmouth and Norfolk

Leaving the High St. ferry dock with Norfolk in the background

Waterside ferry stop. Norfolk didn't have much along this part of the river when we were here five years ago and there is even less now. The building in this picture is completely empty.

Dinner with Barbara and David

Gosport Park gives the history of the Norfolk Navy Shipyard. It was the nation's first government-owned yard and was privately founded as Gosport Shipyard on Nov. 1, 1767. During it's almost 250 years of continuous use, the shipyard has assisted the nation in winning nine major wars, outfitting Great White Fleet ships to sail around the world, scientifically exploring the Pacific and opening Japan to American trade. 

 Sail portion of USS Thomas Jefferson

Hammerhead Crane was built in 1940, it's a 20-story building that can lift 350 tons. It is the largest crane of it's type in the world. It used have included lifting a tugboat from the water, hoisting 16-inch gun turrets on battleships and removing a superstructure from a Liberty Ship. This Portsmouth landmark is still used today.

Part of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard dry docks. The shipyard employed 43,000 people during WWII.