October 8, 2009

The forecast was good and we departed Elizabeth City at 0645 (as soon as we could clearly see the surface of the water). On the way down the Pasquatank River we passed the large wooden structure where most of the blimps in the US are built – the photo shows two blimps tethered outside. A number of other boats departed at about the same time, and by the time we had crossed the calm Albermarle Sound there was quite a parade of boats crossing the shallow area entering the Alligator River from both Elizabeth City and Coinjock (the main ICW route). The Alligator River stretches interminably to the south, then takes a dog-leg to the west, and finally connects with the Alligator-Pungo Canal. We frequently stop at an anchorage after passing through the Canal, in the headwaters of the Pungo River, but this time kept going another 15 miles or so to Pungo Creek, just south of Belhaven, NC – what a beautiful spot, and we could see the Milky Way that evening as there wasn’t a city within miles to lighten the sky.

Day:87.4sm – 11H45M
Trip: 1854.1sm – 271H15M

October 9-10, 2009 (Pungo Creek to Mile Hammock Bay)

We departed Pungo Creek with winds forecast for 15-20 gusting to 25 in the afternoon. By the time we traversed the Neuse River and made the turn toward Beaufort/Morehead City, NC, the winds had picked up. We passed Cedar Creek (a familiar anchorage) to get to Morehead City and possibly Swansboro at the western end of Bogue Sound, but decided the higher winds would make Bogue Sound (totally unprotected from the south and we couldn’t get a forecast specific to the sound) too rough, and were concerned that the winds would also make Morehead City waters rough, so turned around and anchored in Cedar Creek for the rest of the afternoon and night. It was a short day.

Day:56.3sm – 7H30M
Trip: 1910.4sm – 278H45M

The next day (October 10) winds had slacked off slightly, and we still couldn’t get a good forecast for Bogue Sound itself, so we decided that we’d give it a try and turn around again and find a spot in Morehead City, if necessary. As we turned the corner at Morehead City, we passed alongside this freighter unloading at the dock.

Turned out the sound was not a problem, and we made it to Mile Hammock Bay (Marine base Camp Lejeune, NC) by late afternoon. We tried to arrange dinner with retired Marine Corps friends there, but they had prior commitments – one of these trips we’ll get together, again.

Several of the boats anchored in Mile Hammock Bay at sunset

Day: 58.7sm – 7H55M
Trip: 1969.1sm – 286H40M

October 11-14, 2009 Mile Hammock Bay to Charleston, SC

The next four days were relatively uneventful – no winds to be concerned about, plenty of places to anchor – other than the low bridges with fixed opening schedules that we had to have opened for us (as well as other boats, doing the same) before we could pass. As it turned out, we made all of the scheduled openings without having to wait more than a few minutes, so we made good time.

Freighter heading up the Cape Fear River

Judy had to return to Florida for some scheduled American Heart Association meetings and to work the upcoming weekend at her hospital in Sebastian. The issue became how far could we get before she had to rent a car and drive home. We first looked at Georgetown, SC, but they had a wooden boat show over the weekend and we couldn’t get a slip, and it would have meant that we would have needed to stop earlier than necessary. We didn’t have enough time before her departure to get as far as Beaufort, SC (closer to home for the final push). So Charleston came up as the logical place to stop while Judy made the trip back to Florida.

Sanderling, Julie, Khepera and I are now in Ashley Marina in Charleston, SC. As soon as we arrived late Wednesday morning Judy got a rental car and drove back to Florida. She will return on Monday and we’ll depart Tuesday morning (early) to get as far south as we can before she has to return to Florida again for more scheduled meetings. We’ve both had to reschedule some appointments or miss some meetings, but that’s the way it is when you’re cruising.

I’ve been working on some minor boat-related projects, reading, and meeting up with some crujising friends who live in Charleston. Last night (Friday) we went to the Charleston Symphony to hear a Beethoven concerto and symphony; tonight I’ve been invited to their lovely home in the heart of old Charleston for dinner. I also need to do some grocery shopping before departing, and will do that today or tomorrow via the marina’s courtesy van.

We depart Tuesday. Our planned itinerary will take us to Beaufort, SC; Savannah; Frederica River; Fernandina Beach; St. Augustine; New Smyrna Beach; and finally to Manatee Cove Marina.

Trip: 2196.2sm – 317H14M