Kismet Does The Chesapeake - Slowly!

Sometimes it takes a couple of visits to an area to appreciate all that it has to offer. That was the case with Deltaville VA - This was our 4th stop there; and we really didn't take advantage of all the conveniences til this stop. We anchored by the Deltaville Marina in Jackson Creek. For $20.00 a day all the facilities at the marina can be used - pool, laundry, dinghy dock, bicycles, courtesy car, lounge, showers - makes life pretty easy. We stopped here to say good-bye again to Mo & George and help them empty their boat to return to Vermont. We left today and sailed (a beautiful sail) 23 miles to Antipoison Creek (whch was 6 miles North "as the crow flies"). Legend has it that local Indians saved the life of Captain John Smith by medicating a wound that he received from a ray in this area - thus the name! Tomorrow we plan to go to the Great Wicomico River.

American Rover in Norfolk

 

Porty At the Dinghy Dock

 

USS Wisconsin

 

Sunrise At Ocracoke

 

Ocracoke Lighthouse

 

George, Mo, & Jim Enjoying Ocracoke

 

Back To Cruising

Spent two days in Ocracoke NC with Mo & George - rented bikes to explore the island and religiously went to "Shrimp Hour" each day! That is the equivalent of "Happy Hour" in Ocracoke. The shrimps were awesome - steamed with old bay & butter; 15 cents a piece! We left before sunrise for a big day of motoring - made 70 miles to the bottom of Alligator River and anchored by Deep Point. Saw amazing jellyfish (hundreds)that day. Next day we sailed and motored to Coinjock VA, via the Virginia Cut. This was the first time that we took this route; instead of the Dismal Swamp route. Wanted to experience it! There really aren't good options for anchoring, so we stayed at the Coinjock Marina; home of the 32 ounce prime rib! Of course, we had to experience that too - we did share one!!!!! Next day on to Portsmouth, VA, the beginning of Chesapeake Bay. We had a farewell dinner with Mo & George - they departed for Deltaville, VA where they will leave their boat. We wanted to explore Portsmouth and Norfolk for a couple of days. Had a great day at "Nauticus" in Norfolk; great Naval/Maritime museum & toured the battleship USS Wisconsin; the last battleship built by the Navy. Did a quick stop at the mall downtown & the Farm Fresh Market. Today we left Portsmouth, and motored & sailed to anchor in Chisman Creek; just south of the York River.

Ocracoke

 

Su & Jim from "Palmetto Moon" & Jim

 

Almost In

 

Jim Preparing Lines for Launching

 

She's Ready!

 

The "Portie" Refit

 

Back In The Water

After 13 days on the hard, we were launched! Kismet is looking very sharp with her newly painted bottom, polished hull, and a fresh coat of cetol. We said good-bye to all our friends at SailCraft and headed off to Ocracoke Island with Mo & George on "Passages", our buddies from Vermont that we were with in the fall from Virginia to Miami. They caught up with us after going to the Bahamas this winter. The trip to Ocracoke is about 40 miles. Initially, we had light winds and were sailing up the Neuse River at about 4 - 5 knots, when we turned into Pamlico Sound, the wind picked up to about 20 knots and the seas were about 2 feet. We had a very exciting, fast sail about 7 - 8 knots to Ocracoke. We set our anchors in Silver Lake, and dinghied ashore; where we met Dick & Lynne from "Ladyhawke", friends from Sodus Bay. All enjoyed a great dinner at The Back Porch Restaurant.

Kismet's New Bottom

 

A Sad Farewell to Barry & Susan on "Swan"

 

Guess What Color Kismet's Bottom Is

 

Kismet with Her Dirty Bottom

 

The Boat Work Begins

This morning we are anchored in Cedar Creek, just outside of Oriental NC. Today we will go to Sailcraft. A boatyard where we will have "Kismet" hauled, so that we can get her back into tiptop shape - wash & paint the bottom, redo teak, and about 25 other jobs on the list! We expect to be there for about a week to 10 days. Susan & Barry on "Swan" had planned to leave us at this point; but they are going into Sailcraft as well to repair motor mounts or whatever else is causing an annoying vibration. Hope to keep you posted - as long as there is internet there!

"The Rockpile" At Low Tide

 

Susan Checking Out the Lichens

 

The Other Side of the Sand Dune

 

Kismet & Swan Going To Shore

 

Kismet Anchored in Thoroughfare Creek

 

Sailing the ICW

We have have some great sails up the ICW with SW winds. Found a beautiful anchorage off the Waccamaw River in SC on Thoroughfare Creek; very remote & protected with a sand beach. Stopped at Osprey Marina to fuel up & get water; then continued past Myrtle Beach, the Rock Pile at low tide, to anchor in Calabash Creek for the night. We wanted to explore Southport, NC; so we pulled into the Southport Marina for a night. It was worth it; very nice town - had dinner at the Provision Company - great shrimp & fish. Had a good sail with the current up the Cape Fear River, through Snows Cut and on to anchor for the night in Wrightsville Beach. We considered going on the outside from Wrightsville to Cape Lookout; near Beaufort NC, but the weather forecast didn't look that good so we opted to stay inside. Did the bridges, and anchored in Mile Hammock one night; then sailed on to Spooners Creek (very shallow entrance, 5'6", but once inside the depths are about 6' and it is very protected). Also you can go ashore where there is a Super Walmart, Lowes, Best Buy, etc.