Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

York, PA!  I have a good friend there and travel there quite a bit.  My son is in Newport News and we are thinking of staying in Hampton when we visit to be closer.  Anyone familiar with this area?  It looks pretty.  VA Beach looks kind of far from Newport News.  

My friend takes us to Raystown Lake.  Gorgeous.

Hi ladies, I am from Camp Hill, PA and my son is in Norfolk. To  CLAMOM:  We just went to see him and we stayed at the Navy Lodge.  VERY nice!  I am not familiar with the tunnel?  What us that?

CindyH,  I went to BC3 too!  I have an AAS in computer scienceand business mg't. It is definately a small small world at times!

Clamom, my daughter lives near Ghent.  She, her fiance and my son share a house.  It is a very nice area and about 15 min from base.  Her fiance lived in an apartment in Ghent before they rented the house togo and she lived in the 2nd floor of a old victorian style house 2-3 miles from Ghent the first yr they were there.  I helped her move to the house in Oct/Nov 2011 and my son got stationed there Dec. 2011  I believe they found the places on Craig's list.  Lindsay arrived in Norfolk 2 yrs.  She and Ian are officers and my son is enlisted

ProudNavyMom,  the tunnel is on the main road into Norfolk (I 64) and traffic backs up at certain times of the day like rush hour, sat. mornings when people want to go to the beach, when there is an accident...

We also avoid I 95 when we go down to visit.  Traffic on that road is horrible. We take 695S to 97S to 3/301S to 17S then pick up 64S.  I printed out the directions and put them in a plastic folder because the tomtom wants to put us on 95.  It takes longer to program it to avoid certain roads, I usually do that while hubby is driving but he knows the way now!

The navy lodge is great and they allow dogs. You do have to get your son to register you as non navy can't stay there and we have to have Nathan check us in, this was almost 2yrs ago when my daughter got back from deployment.

I am trying to rent a place in Buckroe Beach, is that nice?  It won't be so far.  

Thanks Colleen, I will stay off 95.

my son and his wife are in Park towne apts near little creek. They are very happy there. Seems to have alot of nice neighbors

Theresa:

Do you think we would be better in condo on end of Buckroe near where athletic fields are or at private end of Buckroe beach near Water's Edge and marina?  I'm trying to book something for son's birthday.  Kerry 

Hello there,

My son just join Norfolk VA.

It seems there are a lot of you coming to VA for a visit.  About beaches: My favorite is the beach on Dam Neck Base.  A lot of people prefer the Oceanfront, but not me.  I haven't been to all the beaches, but this one is nice. the beach on Little Creek is pretty nice also.

Thanks Theresa and John and Yvonne:  I will look at these others but now we are not sure if son will be around the week we have off.  We'll see and hopefully get there at some point before ship leaves!

hello , does anyone know anything about getting an annulment, my sons wife walked out after signing a new years lease left state...only married a year gave him dear john while he was out to sea...she moved him while he was gone he hadnt even seen his apartment...hes beside himself ..how does bah work since she left and signed lease...

Claudia:  sounds like he needs a lawyer.

yea i know...she wants to file in her state we just dont want him wiped out...uggg just worried about housing since she signed the lease poa  feel so helpless we just got back from norfolk ...live in florida just didnt want him to walk into apartment by himself...

he needs to go to legal on the base.  they can help him and point him in the right direction lawyer wise.  legal will be able to help him with things like possibly getting out of the lease, revoking her POA (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT) and how to protect his military pay, etc.  as for BAH, as long as he is married he will get it.  depending on the state she is in she may have a waiting period to establish residency.

Morning....need some advice if anyone can help I would appreciate it...Our son is now stationed at Norfolk Base....his job is 4 miles away from his barracks...he tells me he needs his car...duty driver will not drive him to work he works at 6:00am  ...his car is 1999 buick  will not make it to VA  don't want him having a car...I told him to get a bicycle ...today he was getting up really early and walking might buy bike on the weekend...Are there any shuttle buses or buses for transportation or do all  sailors bring there car ????  Seems ridiculous to have a car then go out to sea on a ship  and what happens to car???   I am frustrated right now.

Allie - If they have a car when they go out to sea, they can have them stored in a lot over by the NEX.  They get charged a monthly fee and can also have the car started a couple of times a month. 

Allie-My son just left Norfolk a couple of months ago and was there for 2 years.  Norfolk is a really large base.  Having a car really does help them up in that area.  My son was not on a ship as he was an MA and worked on the Base but even a lot of the guys on ships have cars.  It really does make life so much easier on them.

My son never wanted a car when he lived in NYC and pretty much biked everywhere and used public transportation but decided with our encouragement to take car down to Newport News and I think he enjoys being able to get around a bit.  I'm glad to hear he could leave it on the base when ship goes out.  It is an old car, not worth much, but I notice he is getting to a lot of places like VA Beach, Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, etc.  His barracks are in a not so hot area and I'm glad to know he can get out and about.    

Claudia I hope your son gets some good legal advice and legal services on base would be the place to start; I'm sure this happens a lot and they are equipped to deal with it and help him.  

I just returned from a visit to Norfolk and yes, sailors based there definitely need a car.  Allie, if his '99 car won't make the trip, can you sell it for him so he can buy a basic transportation car there?  The base offers counseling on buying a car, Fleet & Family Support Services 757-444-2102, next class "Car Buying Strategies" is July 25th.

Thank you everyone for all your advice...I will discuss it with my husband and help our son figure out what will be best.....thanks again:)

My son has been station in Norfolk since May. Yes sailors do need a car. Norfolk base is huge. My son had no problems finding out where and how to purchase a car there. There are lots of fellow shipmates who know where the good dealerships are.

If your sailor is stationed at Dam Neck Navy Base then he/she does not need a car. The base is very small.

hi girls ... so im going to Norfolk for the first time .. any advice ? my son is on the Truman and out on work ups ... I pray to catch him on Land...IJN

I am so jealous (gonavymom)...My daughter is also on the Wasp. I wish I was traveling there to see her! Have fun!

gonavymom, I am also jealous !! My son is on the WASP too !!  Have a great visit. There is so much to see and do there. Lacysmom & I will be waiting to hear all about your trip !!

I like staying at the Navy Lodge.  Sailor has to check you in, so if he isn't available that might be a problem.  I have to admit it, but as a visitor I found Norfolk kind of boring.  Down at the waterfront is the UUS Wisconsin at Nauticus. I enjoyed visiting historic Jamestown.  Yorktown is not as impressive, but is historically significant so went there also.  In Newport News went to the maritime museum.  Parts of the The Civil War ironside ship the Monitor are there.  There is also a large park there if you like walking trails.  By the time we went through the museum it was time to head back to Norfolk, so we didn't do any trails.  Down by VA Beach there is the first lighthouse sanctioned by the fledgling country, USA.  It is on a military base, FT. Hood I think.  Since it is on a military base you will have to have your id and vehicle documents.  There are always the beaches.  These are the places we saw while visiting our son in Norfolk.

I was hoping to go to the Botanical Gardens in Norfolk.

Thanks so much; I really love botanical gardens.  It sounds really nice.  

The lighthouse is on Ft. Story. :)  We also have Williamsburg, if you're willing to pay the price.  And of course Busch Gardens.  If you like the beach, we like the beach on Dam Neck-less crowded and prettier. Those are just some additional suggestions.  If you ever get to visit here in March or April there is a Re-enactment in Yorktown which is just like being there during the civil war.  It changes months from year to year so you need to check it out in advance.

We've been here for 12 years now and have checked out and seen most of these places.  

@ John and Yvonne Wadner how close is DC and NY ? or should I say how far ? and how is the drive there ? we also have Nephew stationed in Fort Bragg in NC.....I am staying at the Navy Lodge.. his GF is traveling there as well :) I don't wan't to be a third wheel so I will give them they're time alone as well, and probably go to the hotel pool? I got a room with a kitchenette so I can cook some homecooking! ( Mexican food! since my son is Craving it!!!) we will be there 7 days 2 of which will be travel.....

blessedsailorsmom....DC is about 3 hours from Norfolk depending on the time of day.....rush hour traffic on Rt 95 is pretty bad early morning going north and very heavy heading south.  There is also lots of traffic around Norfolk/Hampton Roads area.  It would almost be worth it to leave after 9 am from Norfolk and plan on not leaving DC until after 6 or 7 pm.  NY is about 5 hours beyond DC.

blessedsailorsmom,

Ft Bragg is about a 4 hour drive from Virginia Beach....give or take. It's a nice base and area. I agree with bahkmom- DC is about a 3-31/2 hour drive and the times she gave you are the best to travel to and from there. The traffic there can be horrendous!  

WVEC.com

Posted on July 24, 2012 at 3:19 PM

Updated today at 6:41 PM

Thanks Jhn and Yvonne and Bahkmom09/86 :) that info was very useful. Geez... NY is far ... as much as I really really want to go... It is just to much.... it would be mostly driving then enjoying time.. im not the best driver and even a worse back seat driver ! LOL!!! I understand on waiting... why not have breakfast rather then sit in gridlock.....

Another area to check out is Fredericksburg, VA....it is halfway between Richmond and DC.  There is a very nice historical area with shopping and resturants and historical sites.  We live very near Fredericksburg and have worked in DC...that is how I am VERY familiar with the traffic in the area!  :)

DC is worth the drive and it's a straight shot at least; watch for and use the HOV lanes if available during your drive time.  If you want to stay overnight reasonably, try Springfield or Woodbridge on I-95 about 20 miles south of DC and outside the heaviest traffic.  In Norfolk, the Navy Lodge doesn't have a pool, but you're close to Virginia Beach, and there's lots to see and do in Norfolk - Nauticus and the USS Wisconsin, the Zoo, the Aquarium.  If your sailor can get you on base, Little Creek has a nice beach too.  Stop at Doumar's in Norfolk on Monticello for BBQ and ice cream - a true drive-in and a landmark!

PS when you drive north on 95 to DC it's so easy to sight-see - you cross the 14th St bridge over the Potomac and land right at the museums on the Mall - Smithsonian, Natural History, American HIstory, Air and Space, National Gallery of Art; and the Washington Monument and the Capital; and the White House is nearby.  The only challenge can be parking :)

Hi everyone, I'm new to this group and have never been to Norfolk before. My boyfriend is currently deployed on the USS Eisenhower and I want to be there when he comes back, which will be awhile, but I would like to know ahead of time if I would need a military I.D. to get onto the Norfolk base? I know some bases only need I.D.'s, doesn't necessarily need to be a military I.D. Thank you!

Hi and welcome Stephanie!  Yes, you need to be accompanied by someone with a military ID to get on the Norfolk base.  For homecomings, arrangements are made for family members, contact your Ombudsman and they'll explain.

Oh okay, thanks very much Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom! This is all new to me, my boyfriend's first long deployment!

hello ladies. There is a young family that needs help. From my understanding the father had to have emergency back surgery and they have 3 kids and no family in Norfolk. The mother needs help with getting food and child care. if there is anyone that can help PLEASE let me know. Thanks and God Bless

Hey all!  Excited to be going to visit our Sailor in Norfolk tomorrow!  First time visiting him on a base.  Last time seeing him before he leaves for Japan in a few weeks.

Claudia, you must really love him!  :)  Well at least in the 264 tunnel everyone's traveling the same way, it's the others where trucks are passing you going the other direction that can seem a little dicey :)  How cool for you to move there, I love the area!

I was just in Norfolk, and there's another day's drive that's great - take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel ($12 toll) north - it's 2 hours to Chincoteague Island of "Misty of Chincoteague" fame and has a great beach.  Another 2 hours north and you're at Annapolis, MD!  From the picturesque Town Dock you can walk right into the U.S. Naval Academy, tour the museum and gift shop, and have lunch downstairs at Dahlgren Hall (sandwiches, pizza, salads). 

You can stop halfway across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and walk out onto the pier, a great place to see our Navy ships head to sea when they deploy from Norfolk.  THere's a restaurant, too.  Just north of the bridge on the left is a turnoff to the little town of Cape Charles, nice beach on the bay.

Hi there, our son is on Sea Duty out of Norfolk. Looking forward to being part of the group here. I reside in Punta Gorda FL. but hope to make a trip up when he returns so it will be nice to see what everyone recommends for the area in things to do. To AM Mom hope they feel better and are able to find a place to get checked out.