Day 3 - Nov 10, 2009

The weather is predicted to start getting bad later in the day and progressively get worse over the next couple of days. Our usual fifty mile day will put us in an area without secure anchorages or marinas.  With this in mind we opt to start a little late, move about 30-35 miles and go to a marina. 

It was overcast with light winds as we entered the Alligator-Pungo Canal. At the end of the 20+ mile canal, the winds were already blowing 15 mph and gusting from the east. Once out of the canal the wind allowed me to roll out the jib and motor sail in the Pungo River for a while. We decided to pull into Dowry Creek Marina at mile 132 since we visited there in 2008 and really enjoyed the stay.

By 1315 we were secure at the dock and enjoyed some down time and the availability of wifi. With cell phone and wifi working again, we were able to catch up on emails and then attended an impromptu happy hour in the boaters lounge.

We're back on the boat for the evening.  Everything has been secured and we are awaiting the wind and rain that is supposed to start after midnight.

Buddy is not happy as he is not allowed on deck in the marina.  He has a tendency to jump to the dock, run down the pier and hop aboard any high dollar trawler.

Here' the specs for today:
Departed: 0745 Stopped: 1320
Location: MM 132, Dowry Creek Marina, Pungo River
Distance Traveled: 27 mi


Tomorrow's Destination: Undecided, depends on the weather.

Day Two - Nov 9, 2009


We're up early and there is some light fog. The sky is clear so it looked like the fog would lift soon.  We hoisted the anchor and moved out slowly. My guess on the fog turned out to be wrong. As the sun rose so did the fog intensity. Thank goodness for the chart plotter as we were able to keep moving and the fog finally started to burn off in an hour or so. 

We had a great run across the Albemarle Sound and into the Alligator River.  Despite all the fuss about the shoaling and relocated marks on entering the Alligator, we just followed the marks and had no problems.  We really hoped to make it to the Pungo River today, but there just wasn't enough daylight so we stopped off Tuckahoe Point in the Alligator River.  There was only one boat there when we arrived, but by the time we were anchored and had a glass of wine, there were seven anchored for the evening.

According to the weather reports, the effects of a front and Hurricane/TS Ida will start blowing up tomorrow.  I guess we'll hunker down somewhere and let it blow through.

Specs on the day:

Departed: 0645 Stopped: 1507
Location: MM105, Tuckahoe Point, Alligator River, NC N35°40.298' W76°05.698' Depth 7.5'
Distance Traveled: 49 mi Average Speed: 5.7 mph

Tomorrow's Destination: Undecided, depends on the weather.

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