Coinjock to the head of the Alligator Pungo Canal, NC (Mile 80 ICW)

The breezes that were absent yesterday, returned today. I have learned that using Accuweather or Weather Bug on my phone might not be as reliable as NOAA Weather for marine travels.  The difference in forecasted winds has been substantially inaccurate. . . . As we left the A & C Canal onto the North River, the winds began to build.  By the time we were on the Albemarle Sound, the winds were from the SW 20-25 as predicted by NOAA.  We actually took a number of waves over the cabin.  I had to bail out the bathroom as we had left the hatch open about ½ inch and I had about a ½ gallon of water that thankfully collected in the lowest area.  We were really heeled due to the sails. A few things rearranged themselves, but thankfully, nothing's broken.  As the day progressed the winds slowly lessened to the 8 MPH predicted by Accuweather for Coinjock. Lessen well learned!

            As we approached the Alligator River shortly after noon, the winds appeared to have dropped to 15 MPH. The channel is very tricky and our GPS was completely incorrect even to the day markers.  When we radioed Brunelle to verify the channel, we received guidance from Surprise. It truly was a surprise!  Ed and Connie Dooley are also members of CCYC and will be joining our group later. Since they had such a significant lead, they were continuing on. Hopefully, we will meet up with them later this week.

Around 3:30 PM, we were the first boats to drop anchor just outside the Alligator River-Pungo River Canal (mile 102 on the Intracoastal Waterway). Lines needed to be put away, windows de-salted, clean-up rags hung to dry, etc.   Dinner was eaten in our “porch” as the sun was setting. There are now about 15 boats anchored in area. I was getting some great pictures until the battalion of mosquitoes invaded. One minute everything was fine; then suddenly there were at least 30 mosquitoes on me. I have some really nice sunset photos, but I could not wait any longer for “the picture.”  It is 3 hours later and I am still feeling “buggy!”

Sunset at the head of the Alligator Pungo Canal
just before the mosquitos invasion.

51/298 Total miles                              ~  ~ (\_~ ~ ~     Kathy and Pete