Getting to Beaufort NC Virginia

As I write this from Beaufort, I am thinking how many great places there are to explore, but we still want to keep heading south. Virginia has big big rivers with great ports and coves . Lots of surprisingly big vessels and freighter traffic. But we just sailed across . The cold weather and very short days are powerful motivators. We had only 3 stops in Va, Reedville off the Great Wicomico River, Deltaville off the Rappahannock and Norfolk ,a huge port. Reedville is a fishing port with a processing plant. In theory, proceeding up the river brings you to a quiet town. As we entered the river is was almost dark. The entry is loaded with these pens, called fish traps or havens and crab pots. Almost as many as there are lobster pots in Maine. Although the setting sun made it difficult to see obstacles it looked almost as though it was creating a path for us. We dropped a hook just inside the creek almost opposite the fishing dock. Poor judgement. Really big fishing boats apparently need to leave at staggered times. They go out all night and return all early am. So we are snugged under the covers since again it's cold and first we hear big diesels then feel the roll of the wake. It should have been restful but I didn't feel the lullaby. I was being ricked awake. Anchor held though and we got an early start on the day. note to self proceed up the river. Next Day lived up to its small craft advisory conditions. Really strong winds and 3-4 foot seas. Ran down to Deltaville until the wind came around on our nose. We entered from the Bay although the marinas etc. are mostly off the river. Delta ville has entrances on n both Chesapeake and the Rappahanock. TLong entry almost 6 miles but sheltered and nice anchorage, fuel and a walk etc. Very rural once you are away from marinas. Next day long push to Norfolk. Tom found a channel away from shipping lanes. I didn't see it on GPS and thought he would run us aground any minute. Nevertheless he got us over all kinds of charted shoals - boldly going where boats have run aground before, in a cold strong wind. Ran into Norfolk and down the Elizabeth River with freighters tugs and barges. They are really big. Norfolk is so busy. In addition to all the commercial traffic there is a huge navy presence. We watched a helicopter and a couple of boats maneuver tows. the helicopter was towing! Strange to see the tow line coming from the sky to the water! Norfolk begins the Intracostal proper. We have been over 700 miles to get to the beginning!