We arrived at “our” marina today at about 1255 in the midst of winds from the NE at 20-25 knots and scattered showers. Fortunately, a few dock friends were available to help us make up to the pumpout dock near the club house so we wouldn’t have to get into our slip in the gusty winds. We’ll move Sanderling to her “home” when the wind subsides in a couple of days.

We exited the Dismal Swamp Canal as anticipated, and spent the night in Elizabeth City at the free town docks. We departed early the next morning and anchored out in a little stream off the Pungo River the first night, and in Oriental, North Carolina, the next. From Oriental we did make it to New Bern for the better part of a day and an evening – what a great place. After that we made tracks south and along the way stopped in Beaufort, South Carolina, for an afternoon and evening, and then cruised about 50-60 statute miles a day until we reached Titusville, Florida, last night. From there it was a short hop today to Manatee Cove Marina.

We logged almost 5200 statute miles and 650 hours underway on this cruise. It was the longest in terms of both mileage and time we’ve ever made. We met some great people, saw some great sights, and had a great time! We’d do it again in a heart beat, but after a few months of rest here at home. It was essentially a 5000+ miles shake-down cruise, and now there are many items on the punch list that need to be attended to over the next six months or so. Sanderling served us well, but she needs a little rest and some maintenance before she heads out to sea again.