Update...Sorry it's been so long

 Christie here

Okay, we have a lot of ground to cover so hold on...

Saturday, April 30
Left Osprey Marina in South Carolina at 7:53 am. A turtle about the size of a dinner plate wished us safe travels as we left.   Along the away, we saw this sailboat that had 'miscalculated' where the 'skinny water' was, in other words, he ran aground...bad.  These sort of sights make for a nervous captain.

Entered North Carolina at 11:45 and powered ahead averaging 7MPH to St. James Plantation Marina which turned out to be a nice facility.

We docked next to a big Grand Banks trawler that was shrouded in canvas to protect all of the varnished brightwork.  The lady came out and looked at us like we were poor white trash when we pulled in.  She was definitely a rich meanie... oh well. 


 Sunday, May 1

Departed St. James Marina at slack tide, 6:56.  We entered the Cape Fear River at 7:51 and seas began to build to 3-6 ft.  Pretty bumpy for two hours until we cleared the Carolina Beach Bridge.

some big traffic in the Cape Fear River

Captain was cold....

Hard to see but this was a great ratty place...lot of character.

Traveled 70 miles and stopped at the New River Marina...not one of our best moves but it was getting late. This marina was another 'red neck central' sort of place.  They had the worst dock hand ever and it was pretty fast current to handle but Captain Kerm prevailed.

Captain Kerm resting from a long day

Yup...Sneads Ferry

Warren goofing off again... parrot...gull... so confusing

Sunset at Sneads Ferry

Monday, May 2
Left 'bubba land' behind us at 6:38 am and put on 65 miles today.  The highlights were dolphins playing in our bow wave and Kerm seeing a big sting ray...I missed it, darn.
We chose Oriental Marina, in Oriental, NC for our stopover and Kerm performed a fabulous docking in very close quarters.  Cute little marina in a cute little town.

Clean windshield is important

Tuesday, May 3
When we left the Oriental Marina this morning our exit was a little less than graceful, but with the fending off by helpful onlookers we made it out safely. 

Captain...looking good

Neuse River and Pamlico Sound were big water we handled today.  Along Gale Creek we were attacked by huge flies...I fought back...

First Mate 1   Insects 0

We made a short day of it and pulled into Dowry Creek Marina at 1:46 due to reports of bad weather ahead.
We had to pull into a slip again which is not our favorite, we prefer a starboard tie along, but all went okay.  This marina has a pot luck get-together every day at 5:30 for all those staying overnight.  We had a chance to talk to other "Loopers" and we learned lots of good information.

The Bottle Tree at Dowry Creek Marina

Wednesday, May 4
We left Dowry Marina at 6:52 believing we could get past some of the bad weather on the Alligator River before it kicked up in the afternoon.  It was overcast and we did experience waves of 4-6 ft for a couple of hours. 

Waves coming over the bow

We ducked into Alligator River Marina at 1:52 because the weather was getting worse.

Now, when you look at the picture of this marina you will notice that it looks like a truck stop...that's because it is. 

Thursday, May 5

Day in port due to high waves out in Albemarle Sound.  One sailboat went out and came back later all bedraggled.  Made us glad we had stayed in port.  There was another get-together for appetizers and we met up with more 'Loopers'.
This marina is owned by a woman known only as 'Miss Wanda'...she is apparently a little harsh if you don't follow all of her rules. We were told she's been called Wicked Wanda by those who get on her wrong side.  We were well behaved and she didn't have any issues with us but she really laid into one of the sailboaters who decided to sleep in the captain's lounge.  She cut off the internet for everyone as punishment for his transgression...We felt as if we were in school again.


Saturday, May 6
We were up with the sun and decided to tackle Albemarle Sound.  There was a little convoy of determined boaters heading out of Wicked Wanda's clutches.
This day contained some real challenges because after negotiating the Sound there is a series of bridges and a lock that have restricted opening times... a logistical nightmare.  Added to this we were wanting to get to Norfolk to pick up Linda (sister) who was coming to join us from Minnesota.

There are no pictures of this day because we were too busy dodging crab pots in 6 to 8 foot waves that were hitting us on the port side.  We were yawing back and forth and it was really wild.  After the Sound, we were focused on all of the bridge openings and getting to Norfolk before dark.

We did it!  We made Ocean Marine Yacht Basin at 7:14.  Linda did her part by getting a seat on her flight from Minneapolis (flying stand-by with Mary's Mesaba Airlines flight benefits).  She had a taxi adventure and I had to 'talk her in' to the marina.  By midnight we were all in the right place...What a day!! 

Marina was across from the Navy Ship Yards 

Linda and Warren bonding

We spent the next day provisioning, sightseeing and doing some boat maintenance getting ready for transiting Chesapeake Bay.  Norfolk/Portsmouth are awesome with huge ships everywhere you look.


Sunday May 8  Mother's Day
Left Ocean Marine at 6:08 wanting to put in a good day on the Chesapeake.  Going past Hampton Roads Shipyards was even more impressive than what we had seen the day before.  As we were motoring by I noticed an innocuous speed boat following us.  As Linda began to take more and more pictures of the Navy craft the speedboat closed in on us!  Coincidence???  I think not.  What's funny is that as soon as we were past the area...poof he was gone!!  

Thimble Shoal Light

 

Linda took over driving at Thimble Shoal Light and she drove most of the day.  She is really good at it... keeping us on course with ease!!!  See here...She needs the beer step to see through the windshield.

Warren enjoying Chesapeake Bay

We passed huge ships and the navigation was very different because we had to make all the waypoints ourselves rather than having them predetermined as on the ICW.
At 4:45 we crossed the Maryland state line and began our approach to Smith Point Marina.  Kerm would not believe Linda and I about the circuitous route into marina...at one point the channel almost touched the shore...uncomfortable times for the captain.  However, we made it in safely and were met by Capt Dan, owner of the marina and ex-Navy man.  First ever experience of a floating marine store and registration office see below...

That gets us almost up to date.  I'll save Annapolis for my next posting.

Love to all family and friends
Christie