Belhaven to Coinjock, NC.

Today:     86 miles, 12.9 hours, ICW

Total:     2562.4 miles, 399.0 hours

Sunrise

     We were up and out by 6:10 am, just a little later than planned. We were surprised that we were not the first boat to leave this morning. A smaller sailboat left about 10 minutes earlier and we passed them about 40 minutes into our trip. Two trawlers followed us 20 minutes later, but they passed us once in the Alligator Pongo Canal.

Bubbles, foam and sparkles on the water

The last of the 3 deer on the AP Canal

     Pete pointed out 3 deer at the water’s edge, but I wasn’t quick enough with the camera.  I could only photograph the hind quarters of the last deer as they entered the brush. During out ride up the canal, I did see a number of osprey and crows, but no eagles.  The most interesting report of wild life was of the “black bear swimming across the top of the canal.”  We had to be at least 10 miles south with no chance of joining in on the sighting, but it was interesting to hear!

Banks of the canal

  

      With the breezes coming from our aft, we were able to get a slight assist transiting the canal.  Once on the Alligator River, we continued to motor sail, trying to increase our speed and make time.

     Heather drove down to spend the day with Mom. She was there when the doctor came in to speak with Mom, which was great.

     We monitored VHF Channel 13 in the hopes of learning more regarding the bridge openings.  From what we heard, it didn’t seem as if there was a problem. As we were about 3 miles from the bridge, 3 other boats called in for passage.  The bridge tender told them that he would wait for all 5 boats (including us and another sailboat right behind us).  The 2 trawlers were complaining about the wait and our slow approach.  The bridge tender bowed to their wishes and opened the bridge when we were about a mile away.  This means we had to wait for the traffic to clear before he reopened them.  What really frustrated us, was as soon as both trawlers cleared the bridge, they made a hard, left turn to head into the Alligator Marina for the night.  We sailboats still had hours ahead of us!

Mile marker 50!

     As we passed through the opened bridge, I had a call from Donna.  They were already at Coinjock Marina and would we like to join them for dinner. We though we should be in by 6, so Donna made reservations for us.  Unfortunately, the winds died, and the currents were against us.  We realized that we might make it by 7, but it would be close. I called and asked to pass on dinner.

Traffic not moving!

     Once north of the Albemarle Sound, we were back on a curvy river.  I saw smoke in the distance around 5 pm.  I didn’t think it was a controlled burn, as the winds picked up again, it was late in the day and it was a Saturday.  There was no smoke as we approached Coinjock.  Just before the marina there is a 65-foot bridge.  West bound traffic was stopped and people were out of their cars. Once we passed under the bridge, we were down wind and could smell the smoke.  We found out later that is was a structure fire, but no one was hurt.  The hoses, which stretched across the highway, blocked traffic for over 2 hours!

Sad-looking home on in Coinjock

     We made it to the dock at 6:50 pm, never realizing that the Kentucky Derby was being run momentarily.  The last 3 boats with reservations (of which we were one) all arrived together. The dock crew rushed to get us in so they could see the race.  Pete went to settle the bill and walk Bailey.  He saw that 2 or 3 of the yachts had Derby parties on board.

     We caught up with Donna and Ed.  They are supposed to meet up with her daughter in Norfolk tomorrow, but with the predicted rain they might stay an extra day.  They plan to stop at Tidewater Marina in Norfolk.  We shared that we usually stay there, but we are pushing on to Salt Pond Marina in Hampton.  We hope that the 2 additional hours tomorrow will save us time when we head north.  We have reserved a rental car to get up to see Mom on Monday. The 15-20 mph N/NE winds do not look favorable for heading up the Bay Tuesday and Wednesday. We will have to monitor it closely.