All photographs are copyright 2006 by John Horm and may not be used for any purpose other than viewing on these pages except by permission.
Fort Story is a U.S. Army base on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. In addition to being an army base, it is the location of the two Cape Henry Lighthouses: the old lighthouse dating from about 1792 which is no longer used and the new lighthouse dating from 1881 which is still in use. Ft. Story also contains the Cape Henry Memorial Cross (also called the First Landing Cross) where the first settlers bound for Jamestown landed in 1607. For the military folk, both active duty and retired there is a small, heavily wooded campground, cabins and the Cape Henry Inn. All of which are popular recreational areas. We travel to Ft. Story every year and stay in the campground in our motorhome.
The campsites are all treed which gives welcome shade in the summer heat and are spaceous with room for the picnic tables, slideouts, and parking for the toad. The only downside is that they do not have sewer hookups.
Of course we travel with our animals, one dog and two cats. They make themselves at home in the motorhome.
We like to use Ft. Story as a retreat from the hectic life in Annapolis. One of our favorite activities is dolphin watching from the locale of the Ft. Story Harbormasters building.
Others would rather take a ride on one of the dolphin watching boats operating out of Virginia Beach. I'm not sure this is as relaxing or inspiring as sitting on the rock seawall or the stairway.
This year the wind and wave conditions were just right and the dolphins put on quite a show for us.
This guy really got some air.
A few of the tourest attractions on the base.
St. Theresa's chapel
The first landing memorial cross
A memorial to French Admiral Francois Joseph Paul Comte De Grasse who provided assistance during a sea battle in 1781 to keep the British from reaching Yorktown during the American Revolution.
The boardwalk leads from Cape Henry Inn to the military swim beach (behind the camera) and in the next photo.
One way to relax is to go fishing in the evening.
A memorial to a fallen comrade
Temperatures were in the middle to high 90's but this couple didn't mind.
Housekeeping chores are neverending.
The remains of one of the coastal batteries from WWI or WWII.
Another way to relax is to lay on the breakwater and read a book.
Since Fort Story is at the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. it is a good place to watch ships come and go. Note the Chesapeake Bay Bridge - Tunnel in the background.
The aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt coming in from a family day.
The "working end" of the new Cape Henry Lighthouse as seen from the top of the old lighthouse.
The old lighthouse.
Here are both lighthouses, the old on the right and the new to the left.
The old lighthouse is open to the public.
For a fee you can walk up the spiral stairs to the top.
Once you reach the top you are treated to a spectacular view of the area.
Along the beach you will find the usual east coast wildlife, brown pelicans, osprey, sanderlings, and a few foxes.
This was the first public works project authorized by the congress of the United States.
These red foxes inhabited our campground. This was taken just after sundown with very little light.
No trip to the Virginia Beach/Norfolk area is complete without visiting the Norfolk Botanical Gardens.
Walking is the preferred way to see the botanical gardens but if the temperature is in the 90's, I'll take the tram.
The sun setting over the Bay Bridge-tunnel ends our trip. I hope you enjoyed your visit.
