Pamlico River to Swansboro - Nov 10

OK, now it is an official ICW trip.  We had our first dolphin sighting and our first grounding.

We started at MM 154 out of Eastham Creek and finished at MM 229 - a new 9 hour best of 75 SM. We came down the Neuse River, and spotted dolphins playing, but they didn't come over by the boat. We passed Oriental and came through Morehead City. Weather was light wind and light jackets - so another day of motoring. We picked up quite a boost down the canal into Beaufort NC - we were doing 8.5 knots. It was balanced by a current running against us through Bogue Sound where we did 5.5 - 6 knots. We arrived in Swansboro as the sun was setting.  The hour before was brutal, as we were traveling straight into the setting sun - difficult to see where you are going. Due to an arriving cold front we came into a marina, and unfortunately ran aground on an unmarked shoal off their dock. They got us off, and secured at the dock, and the first thing we did was turn the heat on in the cabin. We had a nice dinner in Swansboro and got settled into a warm boat. They are forecasting NW winds of 25 knots tonight and temps in the 40's. Tomorrow, it's on to Wrightsville.

Fishing boat south of Eastham Creek

Morehead City

Arriving in Swansboro

Alligator River to Pamlico River - Nov 9

It was a good night's sleep on the Alligator River. The water was calm and the temperature mild.  We got a 7:30A start the next morning and made 69 statute miles. Down the Alligator - Pungo canal (20 miles). Down the Pungo River past Belhaven and across the Pamlico River. We made good time and are on pace with our new schedule. It was another sunny day with highs in the low 70's. We are getting incredible luck with November weather, but there is a front coming in Wednesday night. We got in tonight with daylight to spare, and are anchored in Eastham Creek - just south of the Pamlico River. The creek is beautiful, but sunset brought a swarm of mosquitoes.  Luckily they cleared out after dark, and we were able to dispense with the ones still in the boat. Tomorrow is another long day - shooting to get to a marina before the front comes through.

The Alligator - Pungo Canal

Motor Cruiser on the Pamlico River

Anchorage at Eastham Creek

Sunset - Eastham Creek

Pungo Ferry to Alligator River - Nov 8

This morning we awoke in a fog bank, so our 7:00A departure slipped to 8:30. As it began to lift, we followed another sailboat, Nomad, and a barge out of the fog and pushed on to Coinjock for refueling and lunch. We continued on across the Albemarle Sound to the Alligator River. We slipped thru the swing bridge just as the sun set, and anchored just out of the channel on the river.  We made 58 statute miles today - not bad for a late start - and no wind. Weather has been very mild - surprising for early November. We actually needed sunscreen today.  We are hoping to pick up the pace tomorrow.

Foggy morning at Pungo Ferry

Passing our first barge

Crossing the Albemarle Sound

Sunset on the Alligator River

Norfolk to Pungo Ferry - Nov 7

We dropped off Jerry, so he and Diane could head back to DC, and picked up Craig for the leg to Wrightsville. We got a late start from Norfolk since the first bridge opening was not until 9:30. We also lost an hour at the lock because we missed the cut for the opening - we were the last boat in a long line, and the lock filled before we could get in. So, today we only made 30 SM. We didn't have time to make Coinjock before dark, so we stopped early and anchored at Pungo Ferry.  We will adjust our schedule tomorrow to stay on track for our scheduled arrival in Wrightsville. As luck would have it, we just lost the first cocktail of the evening to a power boater who didn't feel obliged to slow down for an anchored sailboat.  Guess I didn't react fast enough to catch the glass before it tipped over - another lesson learned.

Jerry, Craig and Bill in Norfolk

Departing Norfolk - MM Zero

The line forms after the bridge 

Craig at the Great Bridge Lock, Va

White Stone to Norfolk - Nov 6

We left White Stone at 7:30A, with a send off from neighbors Dan and Debbie (not pictured).  Dan is heading off for his own adventure next Saturday with a friend making a crossing to Bermuda.  I left with my brother Jerry for a day trip to Norfolk to begin the trip down the ICW. Kim drove back to Charlotte. 

We made good time down the Bay, with a light 10 knot wind - 8 to 9 knots. Something must have been pushing us. This was to be the only time on the trip to have the sails up. Jerry got to see Wolftrap from the Bay, which was special since he has a place on Horn Harbor. We crossed over the Hampton - Norfolk tunnel about the same time Diane (Jerry's wife) was coming into Norfolk by car to pick up our next crew at the airport.  She said she saw us pass by on the boat - quite a coincidence.  We arrived at Waterside marina at the same time they pulled in by car.  

Kim, Bill and Jerry at the dock

Leaving Pitmans Cove

Motor Sailing on the Chesapeake

Jerry says hello to Wolftrap

It's About Time to be a Snowbird

Fall is here and it is about time to head south.  All land based projects are winding down. The new dinghy davits and solar panels are installed and working.  Snorkeling gear is on board. Crew is lined up. The two week countdown and final checklist completion are underway.  Looks like things are coming together.  November 6 is the targeted departure date - right after the annual Urbanna Oyster Festival. ICW - here we come....

Kim at White Stone

We Have a Bahamas Plan

Work on the patio at the Cove Cottage continues.  It is now about 80% finished.  Here is a picture of the almost finished fire pit. July was way too hot to keep working, so maybe one more push to finish in the early Fall.

We now have an initial plan for traveling to the Bahamas.  Dreamer will leave the Bay the first week in November, traveling down the ICW to the Charleston/Hilton Head area. The plan is to stick to the ICW, but take offshore hops if conditions permit.  This leg of the trip should take about 10 days; we'll allow 2 weeks.  Dreamer will stay at a marina while we go home.  After Thanksgiving, the crew will meet for the leg of the trip to the Bahamas. We will either go offshore from the Charleston area, or travel down the coast in short hops to get to a departure point on the Florida coast. Arrival is projected for early to mid December.

Our initial destination will be either the Abacos in the north or the Exumas in the south.  We are still working this out.  Entry to the Bahamas will be at West End on Grand Bahama Island, then traveling east across Little Bahamas Bank to the Abacos, or south past Nassau to the Exumas. Dreamer will spend the winter in various parts of the Bahamas under the care of, or taking care of, her crew.  Now to get her ready....the countdown has begun. 

The Fire Pit