Saturday, 5/6
To Carolina Beach mooring fields. Pete walked the dog and that turtle
was still on its log! We filled the water tanks, then crossed the canal,
intending to wait until the fuel dock opened at 8 am. The dock hand was in early and was helping us
refuel at 7:30. We had the current with us for most of the day. At one point we
were cruising at 10.2 mph thanks to that current.
Once
in the mooring field, our trusty, dependable, reliable outboard engine for the
dingy decided to be ornery. Thirty-two
pulls and it wouldn’t catch! Pete had to
row the dog to the dock and back. Randy,
the “harbormaster,” came by to collect our $20 mooring fee. He mentioned that now the mooring balls can
be reserved and paid for via the Dockwa App. He also said that he would make sure that
the mooring ball would be available for the boat who made the reservation. How is
still a mystery, but it is a great option.
Sunday, 5/7
We had 3 bridge openings today; one was Surf City, which had problems,
thankfully, after we passed. During our
journey, we were passed by the MV TENACIOUS.
Pete had a long conversation with him during our stay at Sombrero Marina
in Marathon. He is a retired naval architect,
who found a great, aluminum, Christ Craft Roamer hull and built the trawler from the ribs
up. She is a beauty and very roomy. They are heading back to the Great Lakes for
family this summer.
 |
| Returning from Bailey's walk |
 |
| Camp Lejeune artillery practice area |
 |
| Warning at the north end of Camp Lejeune's ICW |
Monday, 5/8 – to Morehead City. Skies were clear
and traffic light. It was another beautiful day, sunny, temps in
the low 70’s and enough of a breeze to get an assist. We were about 3 miles from Camp Lejeune we
heard the Howitzers beginning their afternoon target practice. We had a bit of the current with us and were able to average 7 mph for most of the trip. By the time we reached Morehead City Yacht
Center, the current was slack and getting into our slip was easy.
Once docked, I
was able to borrow the loaner car to pick up the new gas can and hose for the
dinghy. Hopefully, this will fix the problem with the dinghy. There was also a
quick stop at Harris Teeter for the provisions for the next 10 days. Pete worked while I ran errands. He also met our neighbor on SV BREAK FREE.
Patric and Karin are from Toronto. This
is the second time they have made the trip.
He is a diesel mechanic and suggested that the outboard engine problem
might be the cylinder as the new fuel tank and line didn’t work and the spark
plugs are clean. Since they are heading
north as well, Pat suggested that we anchor in the same spots so we could
borrow their dingy (with a working engine!)
Tuesday, 5/9 - We laid over in Morehead City
for another day hoping to find a mechanic who could work on the dingy
engine. I took advantage of the time to
do laundry. While waiting for the
machine, I had a chance to speak with Joan of SV CHANGING LANES. She and John are returning to Newfoundland
and happen to be friends and traveling companions with Pat and Karin. Once back at the
boat, we invited both couples for hors d'oeuvres aboard PEKABU later this
afternoon. It was a very enjoyable time.
We all agreed to leave at 7 am tomorrow, however, we have to head to River
Dunes to retrieve our mail which has already been forwarded, while BREAK FREE and CHANGING LANES will be heading
Goose Creek to anchor. We will meet up
with them tomorrow night at the top of the Alligator Pongo Canal.
 |
| Sunrise over Morehead City Marina |
 |
| The mild winter has the jellyfish arriving about a month early in River Dunes Marina |
It
was a easy and quick ride to River Dunes as the current and breeze were once
again in our favor. After a fill up and
a pump out, we were nicely settled on the T-Dock by 12:30. When I provisioned a
few days ago, I completely forgot 3 items.
I was able to use the loaner car from River Dunes to head down to
Oriental. I didn’t know that the Oriental
Piggy Wiggly now has a shuttle van that will pick up and return cruisers to the
marinas. Something to keep in mind for
the next time we pass this way. I even
had the time and a beautiful area to take my walk.
Thursday, 5/11, River Dunes to what was
supposed to be top of the Alligator Pongo Canal. When we woke at 6:30 this morning, Pete already had a
text from Pat saying that they were going to continue on to Coinjock tonight to make sure they beat the front coming in early tomorrow. After much discussion and review of the
weather, we decided to head straight to Coinjock as well.
We stopped in Belhaven around 10 to walk Bailey then headed north again. We continue to make good time. It wasn’t until we were traveling on the Alligator River around 6 pm when the breeze freshened. By the time we requested the Alligator Bridge opening, the winds were about 18 from the ENE. Once through the bridge the bridge tender told us to “be safe out there. The front is approaching.” We had no choice but to continue. The winds were on our nose and the waves, though only 4-5 feet, were spaced perfectly to dig our nose into about every 5th wave. Often, the spray shot over the Bimini and past the dinghy. I still put down plastic over the salon cushions under the windows Pete recently resealed. They only leaked a little. However, I didn’t think to close the cabin door fast enough! We took a couple of waves that shot water under the windows of the binimi and deposited substantial water into the main cabin. When we arrived at Coinjock around 1:30-2 AM, the rains were breaking off into showers. Inspection downstairs revealed a lot of wet. Tomorrow will be busy!
 |
| The catamaran that recently burned and sank in Belhaven |
 |
| Hobucken Fishing Fleet |
 |
| Mayo's Bulkhead, Hobucken |
 |
| A visitor to the shore of the Alligator Pongo Canal |
We stopped in Belhaven around 10 to walk Bailey then headed north again. We continue to make good time. It wasn’t until we were traveling on the Alligator River around 6 pm when the breeze freshened. By the time we requested the Alligator Bridge opening, the winds were about 18 from the ENE. Once through the bridge the bridge tender told us to “be safe out there. The front is approaching.” We had no choice but to continue. The winds were on our nose and the waves, though only 4-5 feet, were spaced perfectly to dig our nose into about every 5th wave. Often, the spray shot over the Bimini and past the dinghy. I still put down plastic over the salon cushions under the windows Pete recently resealed. They only leaked a little. However, I didn’t think to close the cabin door fast enough! We took a couple of waves that shot water under the windows of the binimi and deposited substantial water into the main cabin. When we arrived at Coinjock around 1:30-2 AM, the rains were breaking off into showers. Inspection downstairs revealed a lot of wet. Tomorrow will be busy!
Friday, 5/12, At 8:30 the dock hand was
knocking, asking if we needed to fill up with fuel. Since we did, we were moved up the dock in front
of 2 other sailboats, one of which was BREAK FREE. After filling up, we were able to catch up
with Pat and Karin. Joan and John,
CHANGING LANES, left this morning for Norfolk. They
needed to pick up the rental car, dive to Deltaville to retrieve their car,
return and then pack some of their stuff into their car. For the past few years, they have kept
CHANGING LANES in Deltaville for the summer while they return to
Newfoundland. With the US dollar value
being so much less than the Canadian, it is worth it to take the boat back home
for a while. Pat and Karin were staying until Sunday morning and we decided to
stay to Monday morning. We will catch
dinner together tomorrow night here at the marina’s restaurant
It
rained heavily for most of the day. We
spent much of the day, washing and drying out interior stuff…well, as much drying out as
possible. The mattress was the most challenging, so we raised it and had 3 fans
blowing on it for most of the day. Thankfully, by 7 pm it was dry. We did
manage a well-deserved nap during in the afternoon. After a dinner of Chili, we relaxed, then
called it an early night.
Saturday, 5/13, At 6:30 this morning, we had footsteps
on our deck. Needless to say, we were up
and dressed in a flash. The boat between
BREAK FREE and us was attempting to leave.
Unfortunately, he didn’t anticipate the current and was in danger of popping
our dinghy. Pat had tried to fend off,
but couldn’t get into the cockpit due to the enclosure. I was able to slip a
boat hook between the enclosure and fend off as they maneuvered. Thankfully, no damage or injuries.
The
heavy rains have passed, but there are still scattered showers. It was a good day to pull up the floor
boards, clean and dry them before refastening them. I had planned to do my spring cleaning once back
in our home marina. Instead Mother
Nature dictated that this weekend would be better! The wood paneling was cleaned and
treated, drawers and cabinets were emptied and cleaned.
We
were able to get some reading in this afternoon, then went over to the
restaurant around 5:30. We had an enjoyable conversation over dinner. It was a good thing we went over early, the
line when we left was rather long even for a drizzly evening.
 |
| Army Corps of Engineers |
I
was able to do another load of wash plus all the rugs. The rugs now smell great being in the sun and
fresh breezes all afternoon! Once
everything was back in its place, down below looks great. The decks no longer have any salt due to the
heavy rains of yesterday, but the “brown frown” due to the tannin in the
waters, will have to wait until we are “home.”
The
phone was busy today as “Happy Mother’s Day” wishes were shared. I also took advantage and processed a mess of
photos. I might not have used my DSLR
very often, but the camera on the phone can take some really great photos. It
was a good way to spend Mother’s Day.
Monday, 5/15, Another exciting morning as our
neighbors in front of us were leaving. I
was in the bathroom around 6 this morning, when I heard panicky voices. I woke Pete to check. They, too, forgot to work with current. It
trapped their dingy against the piling and when they tried to maneuver it free,
it popped the back seam. His words to
her were not very nice.
Since
we were up, we decided to head out. We
need to clear the Great Bridge before 3:00 pm, as it closes from then to 6:30 for
traffic. Pete worked for a good part of
the morning and I had the wheel during the pretty parts of today’s travel. After clearing the first bridge, we were
hailed by the sailboat in front of us.
SV ELDA, of Newport, has engine issues and requested we buddy with them
up to the Atlantic Marine Center, in case they need a tow. As they approached the second bridge, they
asked if the bridge could possibly be opened a bit early so they would not need
to change speed and possibly stall. The
bridge tender asked if he was declaring an emergency. His reply was, “it will be if we stall.” The bridge opened early and we
continue on. He was able to make it to
the docks at AMC under his own power.
 |
| Variety of boats being worked on in Portsmouth |
 |
| Tidewater Marina and the Norfolk Skyline |
 |
| On my walk through Portsmouth |
After dinner, I was able to walk my 2.5 miles.
Tuesday, 5/16, Norfolk to Antipoison Creek. We left around 8 so that we could catch the “little” current heading up the Bay today. However, we had high traffic volume on the Elizabeth River. At one point, we needed to wait for the tugs to turn around a Naval Reserve tanker. To pass them, we needed to head to the Navy side of the river. As we were approaching the Naval dock, there was 2 inbound tankers, an outbound dredge, a stationary dredge, a tug floating mid-river all within a quarter of a mile. As we were clearing this traffic, a tug crossed out bow heading to mid river to meet up with the inbound container ship. Unfortunately, to miss him, Pete had to inch closer to the naval floating barricades, in front of the Naval Pier 5 Tower. Two marines were signaling for us to pull out into the middle of the river. We did so as soon as it was safe. There were two additional container ships that we needed to pass before turning to head up the Chesapeake.
The tide gave us a 1 mph push while the sail added another .5 mile. Pete once again spotted turtle on the surface, while I saw a very large fish/dolphin jump completely out of the water! It was a great motor sail up the bay.
 |
| Tug with dredge on barge |
 |
| Norfolk traffic! |
 |
| Working tug with fire hose |
 |
| Dredging ops on the Elizabeth River |
 |
| Jet on carrier deck while in port! |
 |
| Pelican, not seagull on Green 13 |
During
the afternoon, we heard RED HEAD hail another boat. It was Bob 435. We eavesdropped. Jeff is very pleased with Active Captain’s
sale to Garmin. It has become too much
for Jeff and Karen to maintain and still have time for cruising. The sale will free them up while providing
the community with more technology, while maintaining the current functions for
the community. The hats will continue to be distributed.
As we pulled into Anitpoison Creek, BREAK FREE and CHANGING LANES were already anchored as well as 4 other boats. Clear skies made for another quiet, but unremarkable sunset.
Wednesday, 5/17. Being anchored only 100 feet from shore makes
taking the dog in much easier on Pete’s shoulders.
As we pulled into Anitpoison Creek, BREAK FREE and CHANGING LANES were already anchored as well as 4 other boats. Clear skies made for another quiet, but unremarkable sunset.
 |
| Going to shore at Antipoison Creek |
 |
| SV BREAK FREE |
 |
| SV CHANGING LANES |
We
once again delayed out departure to take advantage of the current. The breeze helped a little. We were able to roll up the enclosure and put
away our name banner from the stern.
Unfortunately, even with the breeze, we were inundated with black
flies. Once the screen was in place in
the companion way, I did my big game hunting down below. I manage to find and
kill 39 flies. Ever since Bailey chomped on a wasp about 4 years ago and needed
to see the ER after hours vet due to swelling of her jowls, she is real
skittish around anything that buzzes or flies.
She will stay below all day if there is a single fly in the cockpit. At
any given moment today, there were at least 100 flies in the cockpit!
Thankfully, the insect repellent stops them from biting, but they do
land.
As
we were approaching Solomons’ Harbor, Pete spotted SV WALKABOUT tidying the
sails after an afternoon’s sail. We got
close to say “Hi,” and Lois suggested we get together for dinner. It was wonderful to catch up with Dave and
Lois at the Ruddy Duck.
 |
| Cove Point Light house |
 |
| Red 78 |
As
we passed Poplar Island heading up Prospect Bay, there were quite a few barges
with dredges both in the bay and in the Poplar Island Narrows adding more land to the
island. It will be interesting to see
the new depths in that area.
We
were able to make the 3:30 opening of the Kent Narrows Bridge. Our cruise
officially ended at 4:30 pm when PEKABU was secured, electricity connected and
we sat down and relaxed in our home dock.
When Pete walked the dog before dinner, he caught up with our
dock mates. I look forward to catching up
with them also. Tomorrow we head back to
Charleston, this time by rental car, to pick up the Acura and bring it home on
Saturday. Then it is time to catch up
with family!
 |
| Sunset over St. Johns River from rental car |
~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~
K & P
No comments:
Post a Comment