A Picture Perfect Day!

Dawn's light and fog

Midway Marina in the early morning mist                     

     Since we only have 7 hours, we opted to leave at around 8, but left the dock a 7:40. Most boats had already departed. Heading south we encountered the fog. Thankfully, it was only thick in a small area and dissipated quickly, but not before we enjoyed some of its beauty.

Silhouetted pines mixed with fog

    Last night and this morning we were reminded that the real purpose of the ICW is commerce.  We were passed by a north bound tug pushing two large barges. I would be real nervous passing or being passed by one of these barges in some of the closer quarters of the ICW canals.

Traffic on the water way

    The crossing of the Albemarle Sound was totally uneventful. The water was almost like glass.  To the east, the water reflected the silver and gray from the clouds mixed with small bit of blue sky. While to the west, where the skies were clearing, the water varied from blue to turquoise with white from the clouds.  The shifting colors were awesome as well as mesmerizing!

Awesome reflections

    By the time we approached to top of the Alligator Pongo Canal, there were about 12 boats already anchored.  This wasn’t a problem for us as we needed to continue further on so we could be closer to the hidden canal leading to a local public boat ramp.  We passed only 1 other boat anchored in this area as we went further up to drop the anchor.

This is only 1/2 way into the serpentine canal

The water is really brown
but reflects the blue sky!

   

It really is a State Facility

     Pete took Bailey and I down the old canal.  He and Dan use this last fall for taking the dogs ashore.  They both agreed that it was an experience.  Even with the higher water and a number of trees blown over, it is still a beautiful ride.  When we got to the end, the dock was partially submerged.  Pete angled the dinghy onto a grassy area, but there was still water. Bailey jumped and splashed her way to dry land.  Pete and she walked and played a bit.  Then she ran full tilt and jumped into the dinghy spreading stinky, black mud all over! 
     When they returned, we enjoyed some of the great pork tenderloin Mario prepared for the CCYC Oktoberfest.  Since a few people didn’t show, there were leftovers that were shared. I froze 3 servings for those nights when we just want a quick but delicious meal.  Thanks, Mario!

Neighbors for the night

   
  The sunset was hidden by a cloud bank, bringing in the cold front while the breezes also died. Unfortunately, as the sun hid the mosquitoes appeared and chased us down below.  Around 9:30, the winds suddenly picked up to about 20 and within moments the rain appeared. The rains only lasted about an hour, but the winds stayed slightly overnight.

The sun as it dipped behind the cloud bank

                                          ~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~    K & P