River Dunes ~ Day 2

Super exercise facility

Cool water fountain

     Pete had a very busy work day. While he worked I headed up, used the treadmill in the exercise facility and got in my 3 miles.   The room is very well thought out and stocked.  They also have bathrooms with lockers and showers.

The pool area and the Harbor Club

     Last time we emptied the holding tank, it didn’t empty properly.  As a result, we need to take the boat over for a pump out today.  We had to wait until another boat left the fuel dock.  Just after lunch, Pete went to check the antifreeze levels on the engine, that's when they called us to the fuel dock.  Since we were staying 2 more days, they assigned us another slip.  This one at the beginning of the dock instead of the T-head we had been at.  Rich reminded us that tonight was pizza night for the cruisers, so guess where we ate dinner?!

Local color!

Fall!

     As we arrived,there was a younger couple in front of us at the buffet table.  As we started talking, we invited them to join us at our table.  We spent a delightful time hearing their adventures.  Lisa and Joe had a dream of being long-term cruisers, but never boated.  They sold their house in June.  In September, they purchased SV SEAFORTH, a Morris Ocean Yacht 46 from Hinckley Boat Yard, Maine. Once in possession, they had 3 weeks to prep her and be trained by a captain. He accompanied them for part of the journey south from Maine.   Our conversations continued well past the other dinners, so we invited them on board to continue our discussions.  They had lots of questions about cruising and we had a number of good resources to share. I offered dessert I made for Pete’s Birthday, but they declines as they were too full from dinner.  Before they left, Lisa invited us to join them for dinner tomorrow.  It was a delightful evening.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~      K & P

Belhaven to River Dunes, NC

Today:      39 miles.     6.0 hours            ICW St M “174”

Total:     348 miles    59.5 hours

 
      We were up and away from the dock at 6:50 this morning.  We surprised Ken on MV DAYBREAK, by leaving before him.  In fact, we were the first to leave Belhaven, but led a string of 7 boats heading south.  As usual, they all passed us by the time we were entering Goose Creek, south of the Pamlico Sound. As the winds steadied around 10-15 out of the WSW, the waves never had a chance to build beyond a foot or so. 

Chillin' while Fishin'

Fishing fleet at Hobucken, NC

     Traveling into Back Creek for the approach to River Dunes, Pete was able to use the sonar maps for a better route than the marked channel.  The difference in depth varied almost 2 feet.

     Scott met us at the gas dock.  He is now the Harbor master, while Richard has taken over the GM for the entire property.  They did well with the Hurricane Florence.  The water rose about 6 feet, but the dock pilings were set with water in mind.  They are 2 foot higher than the land around the harbor.  As a result, the water will spread rather than rise rapidly. Many boats have spent the season here due to damaged docks.  With so many slips occupied, they will be expanding and placing new docks on the western shore of the harbor.   They did take a lightning strike, but the Wi-Fi should be the same. (Unfortunately, it is still very poor!)  Verizon will be putting in a new tower, so phone service should be improving.  I guess it helps that there is a new owner for the development.  Eleven new home will be built within the next few months.  We will see. . . .

     I was able to visit with Linda and Nile aboard SV MANANA, a Catalina 36 from Vermont making their way to the Bahamas.  They are meeting friends for dinner tonight and will head out in the morning.

We saw this Catalina Morgan 440
before she sold at Windmill Harbor

     It was once again time to make another batch of chicken and rice for Bailey.  We are now giving her half chicken and rice, half Blue Buffalo dry dog food

    I borrowed the car, which is still the same van with 164,000 miles, and at least 9 years of service. I guess I should not say borrowed as there is now a fee of $21.50 for it’s use.  The closest grocery store is 8 miles away so that leaves little choice.  I was able to get most everything on my list and be back in about 90 minutes.  I would have been back sooner, but I was behind another van for most of the way.  He had 12-foot lumber boards, hanging out the back, so he needed to go slow.  Add to that, a truck pulling a large trailer dumped part of his load onto the 2-lane road. While he went to reload the trailer, he left his driver’s door open so cars in both directions had to pass very carefully.  I made it back before the 4 pm next rental.

Other views of River Dunes 

     While I was gone, Pete scrubbed the boat.  We still had a lot of salt caked on the boat even through he had rinsed it at the Alligator River Marina.  He also found out that he needs work mailed to us, so we will be staying until Thursday.

     Once back, foods were put away and I made honey mustard chicken with the Boar’s Head Honey Mustard.  Recently at the Safeway, they were giving out samples.  It is one of the best mustards I have tasted; flavorful, with a slight kick.  I will have to keep more on hand.  It is definitely the “go to” mustard for our lunches.

    We chilled after dinner, watched some TV and called it a night.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~      K & P

Alligator Bridge Marina to Belhaven, NC

Today:      53 miles.     8.5 hours            ICW St M “135.7”

Total:     309 miles    53.5 hours

    

     Bailey once again woke us around 1 needing to head on land.  It was a while before Pete was able to get back to sleep.

     We woke before the alarm went off at 6:15 this morning.  The temperatures were in the mid 50’s and the winds were calm.  We were away from the dock by 6:40 and at passing through the Alligator River Bridge before 7 am.  Winds began to build up though the mid-teens from the west. Throughout the A & P Canal, the winds were on our nose, but the current continued to help us keep traveling at 7 mph. Once on the Pongo River, the wind continued, but the waves did not build. 

   I spoke with Debbie from SIMPLICITY.  They are still in Hampton, but will continue on Tuesday once the weather clears. That means it will be a while before they catch up with us.

    We were able to tie up to Belhaven Town Dock.  Shortly after, MV DAYBREAK docked behind us.  Kenny verified our Newark, DE home port.  He is from Covered Bridge also in Newark.  We had met 2 years ago in Mile Hammock Cove.  After discussing our travel plans, it looks like we might be able to meet up in the Keys later this winter.

     With the interrupted sleep and fresh air poisoning, and lack of good Wi-Fi. we called it an early night.  Hopefully, we will have good Wi-Fi in the near future, so I can post more.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~      K & P

Coinjock to Alligator River Marina, NC

Today:      38 miles.     6.0 hours            ICW St M “84.2”

Total:     266 miles    45.0 hours

     As predicted, it rained heavily last night.

     At 7 am we heard the footsteps as Preston and Janette headed to the bath house. However, at 7:15 we heard loud, rapid footsteps. Pete went up to investigate.  Will rushed aboard to help Jay, on SV BRIDGES. As Jay was preparing to leave, a line let loose too soon, and BRIDGES T-boned across the bow of the boat we were rafted to.  No one was hurt, but one of SV BRIDGES’ stay was damaged.

     We departed 7:55. The current strong, but Pete made it look easy to leave the dock; no excitement. The temperature was in the fifties, but with all the humidity and wind, it was very raw. The skies were heavy with clouds for most of the day. Since Will was about 30 minutes ahead of us, he reported back that the winds on Albemarle Sound were WSW 30 knots with waves 3-8 feet. At times we were only doing 3.4 mph into the waves. Even large power boats had problems. Since Bailey was stressing, we had to give her Benadryl. Thankfully, it helped after about 30 minutes.

Alligator River Marina

     We actually saw some sun as we were approaching the Alligator River Marina around 3. We followed Bob 423’s tracks into the marina.  We were surprised to find a crab float in the middle of the entrance. 

The gas station is on the left!

     After being given our slip assignment, we rigged for port-side tie.  With the half finger piers, we couldn’t back into the slip due to winds. I had to reset the lines, so we could bow in.  We were concerned, but was still able to get Bailey off on the partial pier.

      While we were traveling, I noticed that the lines that are supposed to wrap around the jib had loosened. I tried to tighten them while underway, without much success.  Once we were secured, Pete went to settled the bill while I tightened all the lines.  When wet, the new lines stretch.  We never realized that when John commissioned our boat, he used lines meant for racing instead of cruising.  We are surprised at the difference between the two lines.  Had we known, we would have definitely spent the extra money on the racing lines.

     After Pete settled the bill, he stopped to talk to the couple who sailed from Hawaii. They went through the Panama Canal and up into the Chesapeake and are now making their way back to Florida for the winter.  They were the ones who snagged the crab trap and dragged it across the Sound only to have it drop off right in the fairway.  They took their dinghy to retrieve it.
    We had ready posts by a number of people that this is a gas station with a marina attached.  It is so true!

The storm has passed and this is the beauty left behind!

      With the day so raw, chili was perfect for dinner with new Honey Butter Grands. Ummmm! After dinner, Pete updated the apps on his phone as well as the Aqua Maps for Navionics.  I was able to about 8 days for the blog.  I finally quit around Midnight as we have an early start in the morning.I was hoping to finish the blog entries as the Wi-Fi here is one of the best we have encountered.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~      K & P

Coinjock ~ Day 2

    After breakfast, TJ, the dock hand, knocked on the hull.  We had to move the boat down to the end of the dock to make space for boats arriving later today. Originally, they were going to raft us, but because of Bailey, we asked not to be the outside of the raft. We would gladly have someone raft to us. 
    We met Will, who owns SV SEREINE, the boat we were going to raft up to, but is now docked ahead of us.  After discussions on numerous topics for a newbie, we asked if he would like to join us for dinner tonight. Will had Jay, SV BRIDGES  rafted to him, while we had Janette and Preston in 25’ Grady White rafted to us. They made the trip down from Galesville, MD (just south of Annapolis) TODAY!!!  They are heading to the Abacos. I guess having 300 Hp between the two engines will make it a quick ride!

     We continue to monitor the winds tomorrow and Sunday. We will make a decision in the morning whether it is worth traveling.  Currently, Passage weather shows winds 35-40 not far off shore, but the wind predicted for Albemarle Sound is for 15-20  with waves 1-2 feet.

     I spent most of the afternoon, updating the blog.  Once photos are processed, I will post everything.  Hopefully, the internet will be working.  We are just 10 feet from the WiFi, but there is none to connect to.

     Pete was busy all day with work.  His conference call lasted much longer than he planned, but we were still able to make our 6 o’clock dinner with Will. 

    When we walked the boardwalk to the restaurant, it was amazing to see all the big yachts.   There were even 45-50’ boats rafted to other large yachts.  Yet, there were only 4 boats across the way at Midway Marina!  That marina is ripe for a deal!  It would be great is someone sank some money into it.  It is the right distance for boats to dock overnight, before continuing their journey.

     This is the second time we have eaten at the Restaurant, and once again I was disappointed.  The company was wonderful, but the food is either under or over cooked, no flavor or too salty.  To add insult to injury, we were seated at a table where the roof leaked.  I started to feel drops on my head and shoulder.  When I looked down, my white jacket was stained from the drips.  The waitress brought me seltzer, so I could clean it. Thankfully, it worked.

    Will has spent 30 years sailing the Maine coast.  He was supposed to have an additional crew member him on the trip, but plans changed 2 weeks before departure.  He has had quite an adventure, 2 major gales, the loss of his dinghy and engine, a small on board fire, equipment that suddenly stopped functioning.  Will is remarkable and weathered them all well.  He has patience to fins the root of the problem and find a fix.  Unfortunately, no one has reported finding the dinghy with an engine on the Delaware Bay.  We discussed strategies, our experiences, marinas, and of course exchanged information.  We hope our paths will cross again.

     The rains from Willa had arrived as we ate dinner and continued well into the night.  Pete and Bailey tried waiting for a break in the rain, but finally had to venture out in it. 

      Before bed, we once again checked the weather for tomorrow, and we think it will be a go.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~      K & P

Tidewater Marina to Coinjock, NC

Today:      48 miles.     9.8 hours            ICW St M “50”

Total:     228 miles    39.6 hours

     Remember what they say about “the best laid plans. . . .”   Well . . . Bailey started pacing the cabin round 1:30 am. By 2:15, Pete took her to shore. It’s a long walk and he actually trotted to keep Bailey from making a deposit on the dock!  He was back by about 2:45 and cold.  He did a lot of mental calculations and by 3:45 was climbing back into bed.  He said to reset the alarm for 7 instead of 4. We both needed sleep, and we could still make Coinjock by 5"ish" if we wait for the 9:30 opening of the Glimerton Bridge.
     We were underway by 8 am.  We and 2 other sailing catamarans were at the Glimerton Bridge by 9, so she opened it for us.  The smaller catamaran took his time entering the bridge and, as a result, we, and the larger cat behind us, missed the 10 am south bound operation of the lock.  We had to wait until 11 and make sure we stayed to the western side as the northbound barge needed to clear the lock. All 9 boats waiting made this opening.

Tug & barge
exiting Great Bridge Lock

Waiting in the lock

     

   Once we cleared Great Lock Bridge, most of the larger boats passed us.  Since we hadn’t heard from Coinjock, I called.  Somehow, he misunderstood us and had us down for Friday night.  Thankfully, he was able to take us for tonight and Friday as well so I was able to cancel our Midway Marina reservations.

Heather's Funco Dolls
 & Halloween

    Spoke with Heather. Tonight, they were having their Halloween for family members.  She and her fellow associate decorated their area with most of her Funco dolls. Everyone has been enjoying them.  Some fellow employees brought in their teenagers after hours to see the decorations, as it would be uncool to Trick or Treat!
     After comfort food of Mac, Franks & Cheese, I watched Big Bang and Young Sheldon while Pete was out cold.  Bailey was walked.  Here, she only has 12 feet to go from the boat to the grass.  So much better then early this morning!

     Exhausted, we were in bed by 9:30 and probably asleep by 9:40!

~ ~ ~  /) ~ ~  K & P

Norfolk ~ Day 2

     The winds continued to build, but we got up at 7.  Once back from walking the dog, we decided to stay the extra day. Pete had a lot of work and 2 conference calls, we needed to assemble and restock the freezer.

One of the most unique Trawlers
we have seen. I'd love to tour
its interior!

     We check the weather for winds associated with the tropical storm Willa and how they will be affecting the area later this week, then called Coinjock Marina for reservations for Thursday and Friday as we will also need fuel.  The dockmaster said he would have to confirm depending on how many boats departed, so we also covered out bases by making a reservation at Midway Marina just in case.

     Once the conference calls were completed, Pete was able to bleed the washdown pump and get it working again.  I topped off the water, hung our name sign from the aft of the Bimini, then began dinner. After listening to a number of dock mates, who traveled down the Bay today, we are glad we stayed put. Winds were around 25 mph with waves were 5-8 feet. Definitely a good decision!

     After dinner, we discussed out options and decided to wake at 4 am so that Bailey could be walked.  Here at Tidewater we are on the outer area of the marina.  That means almost a ¼ mile walk to land. We have to allow for there, playtime and back. Then we needed to consider that the Glimerton Bridge does not open between 6:30 and 9:30 am. If we want to have an early arrival at Coinjock, we really should be at the Glimerton Bridge before it closes.  That will give us time to make the 1^st opening of the Lock at 7 am.

The Full Moon Rises

European Cruise ship departing for NYC

   We made it an early night knowing that 4 am isn’t that far away!

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~      K & P