Departure Day - Nov 8, 2009

We slept onboard so we could get away early.  Friends and family showed up as we were about to leave so we finally shoved off around 0715. Out in the Elizabeth R. the race was on to keep up the pace and match the bridge openings.  Gilmerton and North Landing bridges kept us waiting a little, but otherwise the bridges and lock transit was good.  We did miss Donna's parents at the Great Bridge Lock and my sister at Pungo.  It was a beautiful day for going south. We got a glimpse of a beautiful eagle perched in a tree along the waterway. We couldn't get the camera fast enough so the picture is a long distance shot.

We pushed hard and made it past Coinjock but could not make it to Lutz Cr. before a beautiful sunset and we lost the daylight.  We opted to stop and anchor on the north side of Buck Island. 

Here, the first real trial of the new windlass and chain worked well. 

Specs on the day:
Departed: 0715     Stopped: 1720
Location: MM 56, Buck Is, North River, NC    N36°16.024' W75°57.391'  Depth 6.0'
Distance Traveled:  57 mi  Average Speed:  5.7 mph
Tomorrow's Destination: Entrance of the Alligator R.-Pungo R. Canal