The ICW - Intercoastal Waterway Norfolk, Virginia October 30, 2006 We slipped through the pre-dawn mist amidst a sea of loons to begin our last day on the Chesapeake. The pelicans seem as curious of us as we are of them. They circle and sweep by us as we pass. We enjoyed a sunny, warm day (74 F)and arrived in Norfolk Virginia, the start of the Intercoastal Waterway, just before sunset. Three dolphins delighted us by playing in our wake as we made our way. We knew it was a day of firsts for us when we sailed past a submarine, not to mention more naval vessels than Canada's whole fleet. We now know where they build and repair battleships, aircraft carriers and other warships. We also noted with interest the huge cranes loading and unloading container ships. For awhile it seemed that if a barge or naval vessel wasn't coming at us by water then a helicopter was zooming by overhead. What a busy port Norfolk is and what a huge presence the Navy makes there.