Atlantic Yacht Basin, VA to Coinjock, NC
Today: 37 miles 6.0 hours ICW ST Mile: 50
Total: 215 miles 36.6 hours
Dropped lines around 7 am. The skies were blue with puffy clouds, calm winds and temps in the low 60's.
This part of the ICW is a pretty run. Initially the North River from the ABY Marina is straight, but below the first bridge, she begins to wander.
The traffic on the water was light, especially as it is a Sunday, but we not complaining. You know…Those Sunday drivers, ummm boaters!
We were smart in initially planning not to cross the Albemarle Sound today! Winds closed the Alligator Bridge for a couple of hours this afternoon.
Once a Coinjock Marina, fueled, then docked all the way down, at the first slip from south. MV TROUBADOUR came in a few hours later and docked in front of us. They were unsuccessful trying to do the loop. The Erie Canal was closed, a bridge was out of service for 6 weeks & Covid has closed the Canadian border.
The aromas were drifting down to our boat all afternoon from the restaurant. We gave in and opted to have a stuffed flounder dinner there this evening. Once back, the mosquitoes sent us down below.
Monday, 10/19/20 ~ Coinjock ~ Day 2
I love Adam's Creek, but it was too overcast for photos. Just before Morehead City, the sun peaked out. While heading down the creek, we got an email form Jim and Lisa of SV SEAFORTH. They will be in River Dunes for the next 10 days and wanted to know when we might be by. Unfortunately, we just passed it on our way to Adam's Creek. Hopefully we will meet further down the ditch.
After dinner we both fell asleep. We were supposed to make phone call to family and watch the presidential debate. We will make the call in the morning and read about the debate. It must have been the fresh air poisoning.
The Offshore Powerboat Association's Chrystal Coast World Championship Races began today and the first heat began at 10 am. We were the last boat to cross the Inlet for the next hour! Two USCG small boats, the marine police and the harbor police, the race committee boats, and the increasing flock of observation boats were crowding the water way. The races are held in the inlet today through Sunday, from 10 am until 5 pm! For the next 4 hours we heard boats inquiring for possible reopening of the waterway.
As we passed the shipyard, there were 2 very curious boats with long arms at dock. They were Elon Musk's payload retrievers. The hydraulic arms apparently were being refitted or repaired. It is obvious that Musk has a real sense of humor. After all he did send one of his Tesla convertibles, with a waiving mannequin astronaut at the wheel, into space. The names of these ships are GO MS. TREE, GO MS. CHIEF and BIG STONE LEADER. There was a Naval “Warship 50” also docked, but it put out to sea at the 11 am opening in the race.
While at the helm I saw speeds between 5.2- 6.8 mph with 10 minutes of 7.4, south of Bogue Inlet. Pete, while at the helm, saw mostly 7.8 with a few high 8s and one 9.2!
I was surprised to see a USCG small boat stopped in the middle of the channel. Once we and a few other boats passed, one of the crew tossed an orange float that their black lab jumped overboard to retrieve. Most of the crew helped him/her back into the boat. The dog took its place on the bow while they headed on north.
Brown’s Inlet was well marked and the newest of Bob423’s Tracks downloaded AND it was high tide, made it non-exciting coming through Camp Lejeune. We could see the waves breaking on the shore. We could also hear Warship 50 and Warship 5 (an aircraft carrier) warning ocean travelers to keep clear as they were running exercises. Just south of Oslow bridge, we saw then heard 2 air boats on beach. They got much louder as they backed off. Helicopters and Osprey planes were active above the base all afternoon. They must be part of the exercise. Just before the bridge we saw the new radar/ lookout & communication tower.
We anchored with 7 other boats. MV BLACKTHORN and their friend from BILLY JEAN were also anchored. Pete stopped by and invited them for dinner onboard PEKABU tomorrow at Carolina beach.
Periodically throughout the afternoon, we heard gunshots, helo’s and osprey’s as well as the air boats leaving and returning to shore.
It was a beautiful sunset as the sun peeked out from behind the cloud bank. AS it got darker the helo’s and the osprey flew low as they headed to land in the field behind the trees. They become airborne to return to the aircraft carrier or base.
By nine, things had quieted down. It was a great night for sleeping.
We were the first to leave the anchorage, but apparently the rest were not far behind. We followed Bob423's tracks through all the recontoured inlets with no problems.
Today is a beautiful Saturday. Everyone who has a boat must have been on the water. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw anywhere from 300 to possibly 500 boats. We were passed by countless boats heading north to the Surf City area, decked out in flags, obviously for a Trump water parade.
Wrightsville Bridge only opens on the hour and is 5 miles from The Figure Eight Bridge. If not timed properly, which happened, we had to wait 45 minutes for the next opening. It was here that the rest of the anchored boats in Mile Hammock, caught up with us. There were 11 boats waiting for the noon opening, when it opened 9 minutes early once an ambulance crossed onto the island. I guess this way the regularly scheduled opening wouldn't be delayed or interrupted by the ambulance transporting the patient westbound off the island.
As the boats proceeded through the bridge, other boats, who have no problem with the bridge clearance, also joined the line. The 35-foot open console with 4- 400 hp engines crawled in front of us. He even slowed further while we were trying to clear the bridge as we were last in line. Then, he even stopped to talk with a north bound boat with at least 12 other boats in the narrow channel between marinas. As we started to pass him, he apparently got insulted and finally hit the gas!
Boats in this area of the ICW have no problem passing boats at speed and within 10-15 foot away! Many times one or two on each side of the boat simultaneously.
The regulator went to trickle so Pete, on Gerry & John's suggestion, turned the engine key to off, while the engine still ran and then turned the key on. All the instruments reset and the regulator returned to bulk load for charging the batteries.
~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P
Today: 37 miles 6.0 hours ICW ST Mile: 50
Total: 215 miles 36.6 hours
Dropped lines around 7 am. The skies were blue with puffy clouds, calm winds and temps in the low 60's.
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| Stumps in the early morning mist |
We were smart in initially planning not to cross the Albemarle Sound today! Winds closed the Alligator Bridge for a couple of hours this afternoon.
Once a Coinjock Marina, fueled, then docked all the way down, at the first slip from south. MV TROUBADOUR came in a few hours later and docked in front of us. They were unsuccessful trying to do the loop. The Erie Canal was closed, a bridge was out of service for 6 weeks & Covid has closed the Canadian border.
The aromas were drifting down to our boat all afternoon from the restaurant. We gave in and opted to have a stuffed flounder dinner there this evening. Once back, the mosquitoes sent us down below.
Monday, 10/19/20 ~ Coinjock ~ Day 2
Knowing we were not moving today, we relaxed. I did 2 loads of laundry. When I returned to the boat, Pete had finished up with work and was practicing his casting again. Catching was not an outcome today. Thankfully, he has gotten into the science of fishing and the sport of casting. It is so much better then standing around waiting for a bottom feeder to nibble on the bait.
Our mail package arrived this afternoon. When Pete went to retrieve it and settle up the bill, the harbor master was just getting off the phone with the Alligator River bridge tender. The bridge has mechanical problems and will be closed indefinitely. We should check before leaving in the morning. We also checked out eastern route through Manteo, 17 hours! We would have to get a marina in Manteo to break up the trip. Bailey’s bladder isn’t that good!
I worked the photos for the blog, but couldn’t post them as there was absolutely not Wi-Fi down at our area of the dock. Of course, the marina keeps all the big boats, who have their own internets close to the Wi-Fi antennas. Hopefully, with the upgrades coming, they will address this. I won’t hold my breath.
Tuesday, 10/20/20 ~
We were up before first light so we could leave at 7am. It was foggy with very poor visibility, and temps in 70’s. Pete called the Alligator bridge tender shortly thereafter. They hope that they can do a “soft opening” at 12 noon.
Our mail package arrived this afternoon. When Pete went to retrieve it and settle up the bill, the harbor master was just getting off the phone with the Alligator River bridge tender. The bridge has mechanical problems and will be closed indefinitely. We should check before leaving in the morning. We also checked out eastern route through Manteo, 17 hours! We would have to get a marina in Manteo to break up the trip. Bailey’s bladder isn’t that good!
I worked the photos for the blog, but couldn’t post them as there was absolutely not Wi-Fi down at our area of the dock. Of course, the marina keeps all the big boats, who have their own internets close to the Wi-Fi antennas. Hopefully, with the upgrades coming, they will address this. I won’t hold my breath.
Tuesday, 10/20/20 ~
Coinjock to Belhaven, NC
Today: 91 miles 14.7 hours ICW ST Mile: 135
Total: 397 miles 51.5 hours
Today: 91 miles 14.7 hours ICW ST Mile: 135
Total: 397 miles 51.5 hours
We, and the other 2 boats we we re traveling with, made it to the bridge with 3 minutes to noon, just as the fog began to lift. The bridge tender was very patient with all the boats calling in for an update. It took until 1:20, but the bridge was finally opened. Some boats had to anchor and waited over 25 hrs. There were a total of 24 boats that passed though the opening. Quite a few people posted the opening on Bob423’s Facebook page. We are in the photo courtesy of the boat behind us. Debbie Faidley Wicker is from MV SBEBA out of Annapolis Yacht Club.
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| PEKABU's next through the Alligator River Bridge |
As we traveled down the Alligator Pongo Canal, I spotted 4 eagles, 2 kingfishers, a flock of barn swallows drinking from the canal as well as hundreds of them flying over the marshes hopefully, making a significant dent in the mosquito population! I was caught off guard when I spotted 6-7 wild turkeys in a field. I have never seen them on our trips.
Since we were hungry, didn’t want to deal with the darkness nor wait until we made it to dock, we had dinner of franks & salads. Definitely a smart choice.
Darkness descended as we arrived at the bottom of the AP Canal. There was only a 1/4 moon, with spotty clouds. So yea, it was dark, but the stars were amazing where the clouds had cleared. I wish tomorrows meteor shower was tonight. We could had appreciated it here in the darkness.
Greg, the harbor master, was waiting to help us dock at 8:50. He still has 1 more boat to come in tonight. We will be staying here for 2 nights so we can chill after today’s long travel.
Darkness descended as we arrived at the bottom of the AP Canal. There was only a 1/4 moon, with spotty clouds. So yea, it was dark, but the stars were amazing where the clouds had cleared. I wish tomorrows meteor shower was tonight. We could had appreciated it here in the darkness.
Greg, the harbor master, was waiting to help us dock at 8:50. He still has 1 more boat to come in tonight. We will be staying here for 2 nights so we can chill after today’s long travel.
Wednesday, 10/21/20 ~ Belhaven ~ Day 2
He sat up above and head while I posted blog It was the first time on updated version that I had to post photos. It was extremely frustrating and challenging, but I finally figured out the drag and drop, but still have plenty of problems. It took the better part of 4 hours just to place about 40 photos. It should have been about 90 minutes. Hopefully, I will get better at tricking the software.
After dinner, we just chilled.
Today was for a few chores, but mostly relaxing. Pete power washed the boat. Boy, did it need it after being on the hard under a tree for work up at Haven Harbor. Our neighbors from MV HIGHWIND stopped by to say hello and ask some questions about the power washer. He was very impressed. Beth and I needed to do some food shopping, so I spoke with Greg. If we could leave right now, he would take us over and would wait. Beth and I felt that a half hour would be plenty. I went directly to the deli only to have her take 20 mins to fill my 3 requests. Each of the 3 items had to be retrieved from the fridge and the new selection opened for the first time. I finally grabbed 2 packages from the product selection due to time. I was 10 minutes later than on planned. Between the two of us, we filled the huge trunk of Greg's car. Thankfully, no boats arrived before we returned.
Once back the groceries needed to be put on board. Man, does it look good! Food was put away and I ate the lunch Pete prepared form me before I returned.He sat up above and head while I posted blog It was the first time on updated version that I had to post photos. It was extremely frustrating and challenging, but I finally figured out the drag and drop, but still have plenty of problems. It took the better part of 4 hours just to place about 40 photos. It should have been about 90 minutes. Hopefully, I will get better at tricking the software.
After dinner, we just chilled.
Thursday, 10/22/20 ~
We were up and out by 7. Greg was already at the marina and helped us turn around at the dock.
Pete had conference call and some work so I had more helm time.
Belhaven to Morehead City, NC
Today: 75 miles 9.5 hours ICW ST Mile: 203
Total: 472 miles 61.0 hours
Today: 75 miles 9.5 hours ICW ST Mile: 203
Total: 472 miles 61.0 hours
Pete had conference call and some work so I had more helm time.
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| Classic Beauty ~ MV JUSTICE out of New York |
At Morehead City Yacht Harbor we docked at fuel dock and topped off tanks. We didn’t need to move as this is where we will spend the night. MV SHEBA was docked behind us, Pete was able to thank Debbie for the photo of us at the Alligator River Bridge.
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| PEKABU hanging out with the big boys! |
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| These flowers were growing all over a stump |
After dinner we both fell asleep. We were supposed to make phone call to family and watch the presidential debate. We will make the call in the morning and read about the debate. It must have been the fresh air poisoning.
Friday, 10/23/20 ~
We could sleep in because the strong current won't be favorable until 10 am. We left at 9:40 because the tide had changed in the marina. That was a real stroke of luck!
Morehead City to Mile Hammock, Camp Lejeune, NC
Today: 42 miles 6.9 hours ICW ST Mile: 244.5
Total: 514 miles 66.9 hours
Today: 42 miles 6.9 hours ICW ST Mile: 244.5
Total: 514 miles 66.9 hours
We could sleep in because the strong current won't be favorable until 10 am. We left at 9:40 because the tide had changed in the marina. That was a real stroke of luck!
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| Warship 50 |
I was at the helm as we approached Brogue Bridge. There were lots of fishermen north of the bridge, Most of them were pulling the anchors as the tide was beginning to turn. Those south of the bridge, looked like they were going to stay.
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| Magnificent Beauty ~ MV EAGLE from Newport |
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| Adding to Nature's artwork |
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| Shallow waters of Bogue Sound |
I was surprised to see a USCG small boat stopped in the middle of the channel. Once we and a few other boats passed, one of the crew tossed an orange float that their black lab jumped overboard to retrieve. Most of the crew helped him/her back into the boat. The dog took its place on the bow while they headed on north.
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| Clash of the currents |
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| Not so pretty water ornament |
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| Homes on the ICW |
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| Tiny House on island around Swansboro |
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| ICW Mile Marker 240 |
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| Target practice range across the ICW |
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| Newly cut Inlet at Camp Lejeune & strong currents |
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| Pete visits Jim on MV BLACKTHORN |
Periodically throughout the afternoon, we heard gunshots, helo’s and osprey’s as well as the air boats leaving and returning to shore.
It was a beautiful sunset as the sun peeked out from behind the cloud bank. AS it got darker the helo’s and the osprey flew low as they headed to land in the field behind the trees. They become airborne to return to the aircraft carrier or base.
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| One of the reasons I love being on the water! |
By nine, things had quieted down. It was a great night for sleeping.
Saturday, 10/24/20 ~
The dog walked, dinghy hoisted, anchor light downed and put away, anchor up and underway by 8. Skies clear with a few clouds, temps in the low 70"s with high humidity and breezes light.
Camp Lejeune to Carolina Beach, NC
Today: 49 miles 8.2 hours ICW ST Mile: 295.5
Total: 563 miles 75.1 hours
Today: 49 miles 8.2 hours ICW ST Mile: 295.5
Total: 563 miles 75.1 hours
The dog walked, dinghy hoisted, anchor light downed and put away, anchor up and underway by 8. Skies clear with a few clouds, temps in the low 70"s with high humidity and breezes light.
Today is a beautiful Saturday. Everyone who has a boat must have been on the water. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw anywhere from 300 to possibly 500 boats. We were passed by countless boats heading north to the Surf City area, decked out in flags, obviously for a Trump water parade.
As the boats proceeded through the bridge, other boats, who have no problem with the bridge clearance, also joined the line. The 35-foot open console with 4- 400 hp engines crawled in front of us. He even slowed further while we were trying to clear the bridge as we were last in line. Then, he even stopped to talk with a north bound boat with at least 12 other boats in the narrow channel between marinas. As we started to pass him, he apparently got insulted and finally hit the gas!
Boats in this area of the ICW have no problem passing boats at speed and within 10-15 foot away! Many times one or two on each side of the boat simultaneously.
The regulator went to trickle so Pete, on Gerry & John's suggestion, turned the engine key to off, while the engine still ran and then turned the key on. All the instruments reset and the regulator returned to bulk load for charging the batteries.
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| Moon over Carolina Beach |
We grabbed out reserved mooring at Carolina Beach around 4. Since Jim and Sue, MV BLACKTHORN, we coming to join us for dinner, I got thinks prepped.
Conversation over appetizers and dinner never lagged. Before we realized it, it was already 9 and Bailey need to be taken to shore. We said our good-byes hoping to meet up later. They are staying put tomorrow due to the anticipated rain. We head out, unless the weather is poor.
We are thankfully once again, that there is a nice breeze for sleeping.
Conversation over appetizers and dinner never lagged. Before we realized it, it was already 9 and Bailey need to be taken to shore. We said our good-byes hoping to meet up later. They are staying put tomorrow due to the anticipated rain. We head out, unless the weather is poor.
We are thankfully once again, that there is a nice breeze for sleeping.
~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P
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