May 5 - 7, 2012 . . . final leg to Ocean Marine; Homeport; Loop #2 Complete

Eagles on the Alligator River.

A quiet, peaceful, crossing on the Albermarble Sound.

Thunderstorms after arrival in Elizabeth City after securing SONATA to the Jennette Brothers Dock, where we were invited to go to town to eat at a local dinery, however, Jennette Brothers locked access, in and out, to their docks and we could not leave. We ordered delivery pizza that the delivery person slid under the fence.

Upbound on the Pastquatank River; one of the most beautiful scenes of the entire loop.

Into the Dismal Swamp Canal.

The South Mills Lock.

At first there were a total of three loopers at the Visitor's Center, then we were joined by a sail boat.

Mary and John aboard MARY FRANCIS IV

Carl and Glenda from GOLDLEAF

And our sailors, Silvia and Dirk from S/V LISON LIFE; they were the real loopers . . . they had just completed a round-the-world trip. What great stories they have.

On the 7th SONATA departed for homeport, Ocean Marine in Portsmouth.

We passed into Virginia.

On the port and starboard sides of SONATA the canal walls were covered with honeysuckle vine.

Our last lock of this adventure, the Deep Creek Lock.

Lockmaster Robert.

Lock gates open, we are on our way, the final leg of this journey.

The Gilmerton Bridge and rail road bridge #7.

The "Old-Virginia" rail road bridge with the under-construction Jordan Bridge in the background.

Jordan Bridge in construction.

Homeport, Ocean Marine, just a few days short of a year later.

The informal greeting committee, Harvey, Dick, Brenda, and Scott.

SECOND LOOP completed today, May 7, 2012; . . . . . SONATA is at Ocean Marine, Portsmouth, Virginia; planning the next adventure.