The Albemarle Sound was Accommodating Today!

Early morning reflections

RAGTIME preparing to up anchor

     The dogs were walked and the windows were wiped down numerous times before we left the anchorage at 8:15. The decks and lines all glistened with the sunlight reflections on the heavy dew.

Heavy dew on our decks

Might it be Jack Sparrow's
Pirate ship?

   

  Though under construction, The Elizabeth City Bridge opened at 9, to allow our passage south.  The winds were calm and the temps were in the low 60s as we headed south on the Elizabeth River. Two C-130s took off from the Coast Guard Station and flew over our boats.  Further down the river, a tall ship was at anchor and raising sails.  We could find no name on the vessel, but assumed it probably participated in the Great Schooner Race, held last week.  We saw a few of the schooners heading north from Norfolk as we approached last Monday.

Same ship, different perspective

   

     Last time we make the journey south, we crossed Albemarle Sound with winds of 22+ mph and seas 4-5 feet. As challenging as that crossing was, this one was smooth. As we approached the Alligator Bridge at about 1:15, the bridge tender was already preparing for the opening. It was a few miles south of the bridge when cat’s paws appeared on the water. The breeze was freshening.

Mesmerizing motion of the waters

    With dogs that need to go ashore, Pete researched an area just south of the Alligator Pongo Canal, where we could anchor and dinghy the dogs in. With it being beyond the canal and in “skinnier” water, RAGTIME and SEVILE decided to drop anchor at the top of the canal while we continued on. Once BRUNELLE rafted with us, the men ventured out with the dinghy. They traveled about another 1/3 mile to a small canal that went back another long way to a single ramp for fisherman. Pete made sure to place marks on the hand held GPS so that they could find their way in after dark.

 

SEVILLA illustrating the affects of all the
organic matter that make the waters dirty brown

    We were awakened at 5:10 this morning with a phone call while still in Elizabeth City. Pete’s Mom had to be taken to the local hospital and would be transferred to another later this morning. Before leaving home, we warned our family that this passage would be one of the hardest to keep phone reception. Thankfully, we were able to send texts and receive a few phone calls. Our kids are helping Mom in our absence. Once at anchor, Dan lent us their phone signal enhancer.  It worked where we never thought we could pull in a signal. As long as there is some signal, it increases it.

Shore duty again

Another awe inspiring sunset

      We sat there and chatted while watching the fighter jets play above our heads.  There is a Marine training base not far from here.  The sunset tonight was stunning.

     It was dark, but the half moon helped the men guide the dinghy through the dark, misty and a bit creepy ride to the landing.  The mist, illuminated by the moon, was beginning to twirl and rise from the water, noises could be heard in the reeds, while the flashlight lighting their path forward, glinted in the eyes of the night creatures. No Lucia, it wasn’t a dark and stormy night, but it would make a great Disney attraction.  Pete said the only thing missing were the dueling banjos.

     The May flies don’t know it isn’t May, while the flies and mosquitoes don’t know that they are unwanted. We had to make a quick retreat into the cabins, but many followed us.  Big game hunting soon followed.  Poor Bailey is really bothered by the buzzing. She had an encounter about a year ago with what we believe was a wasp. Her jowls blew up and she looked like she was hiding a tennis ball under each upper lip.  That required a nighttime visit to the ER Vet. I understand her fear, just wishing she wouldn’t try to bite them!

Awesome View to the east at Sunset!  Definitely one of my favorites!

ICW Mile Marker    104

8.25 Hours    (Total 44.75 Hours)
55.6  Miles    (Total 290.3 Miles)