Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sitting Pretty in Wrightsville Beach NC
This week has sped by. We had a great sail down the Pasquotank River & Alligator River last Sunday. Dropped the hook by Tuckahoe Point right before the Alligator Pungo Canal. Traveled to Belhaven NC on Monday & anchored by the bridge for the night with "Polar Pacer", Luff Affair", and "Passages". Had Happy Hour on Polar Pacer which turned into dinner. Left at 0700 on Tuesday and had another great sail down the Pungo River,and across the Pamlico Sound. We motored through Goose Creek, and then sailed down the Neuse River to Broad Creek. Last year we had heard great things about River Dunes Marina - a first class marina in Broad Creek. They had a good transient rate - $1.25 foot & excellent price for diesel - $2.37; so we decided to treat ourselves and go in for the night. Wow - this place is gorgeous! Good laundry facility, fabulous showers with five heads, a courtesy car, and if it had been the weekend - a beautiful restaurant! On Wednesday, after using the car to go to Oriental to do a few errands, we tacked most of the way to Cedar Creek; on Adams Creek, to anchor with about twelve other boats. Thursday was a 50+ mile motoring day through Adams Creek, into Bogue Sound, to drop the hook for the night in Mile Hammock. What a show - the marines were doing helicopter maneuvers directly above us while we hosted Happy Hour on "Kismet" with "Polar Pacer", Argonauta", and "Passages - Vermont". We left at 0700 on Friday, and transited the tricky, shallow area at New River Inlet close to high tide. There were three bridge openings to deal with so timing was important - all went well & and we were anchored in Wrightsville Beach around 1330. We went into town to the Mexican Restaurant - Tower 7 - for dinner with "Polar Pacer" & "Argonauta". It was excellent! Jim is planning to rent a surf board here if conditions are right.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
A Spectacular Docking
We decided to hang out at the welcome center a little later yesterday; rather than lock through the South Mills Lock with 12+ boats. We had a leisurely ride down the Swamp and the Pasquotank River with "Argonauta" & "Marylee". When we arrived in Elizabeth City at around 1500; all of the slips were filled so we were directed to go further South to a spot on the wall across from the museum. The wind was fairly brisk. There were already 2 boats tied up, and we had to dock parallel between them on a concrete wall. Jim did a fantastic job of laying the boat in the spot! Just perfect! Whew! We attended the wine & cheese party hosted by the "Rose Buddies" of Elizabeth City, then had shrimp scampi on "Kismet" with John & Mary from "Marylee". Today we enjoyed a Farmers Market and then took advantage of the free shuttle service to the Farm Fresh Supermarket - a great store! The wind is blowing 15-25 today, but the sun is shining bright. Not sure if we will leave tomorrow or Monday; weather dependent.
Friday, October 23, 2009
We Are in NC
Left Solomons with a large fleet of boats on Monday. Had a great sail; except abit rough crossing the mouth of the Potomac River. Anchored outside Jackson Creek by Deltaville VA next to "Passages". Left at 0700 on Tuesday and sailed and motored to Mill Creek in Hampton VA to anchor for the night. This is the third time we anchored here and will never anchor here again with any wind that has West in it! Very rocky & rolly. Early on Wednesday we headed for the Hampton Public Piers on the Hampton River and took a slip for the night. We had a coupon for a free night there that we got at the Boat Show. Great spot! Very friendly staff & convenient for washing the boat, laundry (which was overdue!)& us! At 0645 on Thursday we left the dock and headed across Hampton Roads, down the Elizabeth River, by Portsmouth, and entered the Dismal Swamp Canal. We have chosen this route two other times and really enjoy it. We were rafted to the dock at the NC Welcome Center with 11 other boats - "Kismet" became the gathering spot for snacks, drinks, & great conversation. When everyone departed at about Cruisers Midnight (aka 2100) we were way too tired to cook dinner!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
The Wonderful People
One of the very best parts of the cruising life is the people we have met. Unlike life on dirt, often when you met fellow cruisers friendships seem to evolve more quickly & intensely. We arrived in Solomons, MD on Monday and anchored next to Ed & Karin on "Passages", fellow IP owners. We have spent the last seven days together - dining on each others boat, sharing dinghy rides into shore, sharing heating devices, playing dominoes, and getting to know each other at an accelerated rate! It is great. These past few days have been freezing & rainy. Finally the second of two low pressure systems is moving away & we will plan to make southerly progress tomorrow. Last night it was blowing in the 20s & raining hard - at 0200 we woke up and felt for sure that our anchor was dragging - towards "Passages". We pulled up the anchor; motored away & and reset. Not 100% sure that we did drag but it sure looked like it.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
A Lake Ontario Reunion
Great boatshow, great visits with Ray & Susan and Dick & Anne, and on Saturday, we passed off our mooring ball in Spa Creek to Raydeen & Hayden on "Island Spirit". We sailed back to South River for a two day visit with Jon & Yvonne. Then yesterday, weighed anchor at 0630; and sailed most of a 48 mile trip to Solomons, MD. It was REALLY cold all day - need to dig out the thermal underwear. We anchored next to Ed & Karen on "Passages" and then spent a great evening with them. Fall has definitely arrived in the Chesapeake.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Safe & Sound on a Mooring Ball in Annapolis
Today we are happy to be on a mooring ball in Spa Creek in Annapolis, MD. The wind is blowing 20 - 30 knots; with higher gusts. We arrived here to go to the Annapolis Boatshow on Monday because we wanted to make sure that we could secure one of the balls on Spa Creek. We have spent hours just walking the beautiful, historic streets, and the Naval Academy. Today we went to the Wednesday morning cruisers breakfast at "Chick & Ruths". One of the women that we met actually lived in Sherburne NY, on a farm, raising horses for several years - what a small world! Jim wants me to tell all about the wonderful sailing that we had coming here from Tilghman Island. We left Dun Cove at 0700; and arrived at the Spa Creek Bridge at 1100 - a trip of about 25 miles. We are meeting lots of new folks here; but are particularly excited about seeing Raymond & Susan Hall and Dick & Anne Anderson from NY on Friday, at the show.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Cruising Chesapeake Bay
We enjoyed our 4 day visit with Jon & Yvonne on the South River. We arrived on Yvonne's birthday just in time for her surprise party. One of their dockmates at Liberty Marina has a mooring ball in a cove next to the Marina, so we were able to tie up to the ball - very convenient! After filling up with diesel & water, we left the South River and headed towards the Choptank River. There were short spurts of good wind to sail but not enough to make it all the way to Oxford, MD. We transited Knapps Narrows (very pretty) and then headed north in Harris Creek to spend the night in Dun Cove. Yesterday morning we left the Cove and had an absolutely beautiful sail up the Choptank to the Tred Avon River to Oxford. We anchored right in front of the Oxford Boatyard, and explored the town - very pretty. We are slowly making our way to the Annapolis Boat Show.
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