Two States Down, Three More to Go!

After anchoring in Old Point Comfort and being the only boat there, we motored to Portsmouth in the drizzle and gray once again.  We tied up to the north basin on the south wall of one of the two little harbors used for the ferry boats back and forth to Norfolk.  There were two other boats there.  We read that there had been signs for no docking but the latest on the various cruisers’ websites said that they do not enforce unless it is a special weekend like the Great Schooner Race.  Luckily, we were there a weekend before it.   

Water up over the dock in Portsmouth.

Unlucky though, in that it was an extremely high tide due to the winds and fall tides.  We only had about an hour to get off and walk around before the tide was up over the dock and we were stuck on board.  So much for that great plan!

We had to make the decision of going the Dismal Swamp route or the Great Bridge way.  We had talked to our friends, Toni and Dave Mershon, and had decided to go Great Bridge.  We are soooooooooo… glad we did.  Afterward we heard about reports of all sorts of boats having problems overheating due to the mass of Duckweed in the Dismal Swamp this year.   

Our friends on Tilt met us at the dock in Great Bridge and Mershons pulled in later the same day.  We had our first Happy Hour of the season on Craig and Chris’ boat and then walked to a good Mexican restaurant nearby for dinner.

Had decent sails for two days and the day we anchored before the Alligator/Pungo canal around 2pm about four boats continued through the canal.  As it grew dark, the boats returned.  We found out that one of the boats hit the bridge because the tide was extremely high due to the north wind.  The other boats did not think they could make it either so returned to the anchorage.  Much chatter continued among the boats and the coast guard.  Finally, it was decided that since the wind was changing to the west, the water level would drop and they could probably get through the next day. 

Fog makes for interesting photos.

Early morning foggy sunrise in the Pungo Canal .

The next day dawned with heavy fog but gave me some interesting photos.  

How did this creature get on the boat?

We also discovered a stowaway on board.  How it got there, we have no idea, but there was a frog stuck to our enclosure.  



The other boats took off before us and we learned they made it through so we knew we would not have any problem.  Our mast is 61ft.  Most bridges are 64-65ft.  

Tug pulling 3 barges came between us and a boat aground.

Al ended up being a hero, helping a boat who went aground in the canal get off just after a tug pulling 3 barges behind went between us.  On to Bellhaven we went with the sun finally coming out and blue skies.  I said, “I never thought I would say this, but the canal is actually pretty.”  Sun and blue skies makes a world of difference after not seeing it for more than a week!    

The Alligator/Pungo Canal beauty.

This is the "Welcome" rug I am working on presently.

I was able to get some rug hooking done on this beautiful day.  For my rug hooking friends, you can see the progress I have made.

Doing my favorite hobby, rug hooking.

Free to roam in Bellhaven

Al read about some free docks that had been built in Bellhaven, and we felt we needed to get off the boat and walk around.  Mershon’s followed us there and anchored out.  We discovered they were charging a $1/ft. which is a good price, but we decided to anchor out also so we could have the Mershons for a chili dinner.  We did our good deed for the day and released our stowaway. 
We also visited the Bellhaven museum.  It was a large massive room with all sorts of things, from agricultural tools, to clothing, kitchen items, quilts, toys, buttons, typewriters, etc.  The unfortunate part was nothing was being preserved the way it should.  The clothing was mostly out in the open and subject to sunlight and moths.  But I guess they were doing their best for a small town.

Chapel at River Dunes- perfect for a small wedding.

Continuing on the next day, we decided to head into one of our favorite marinas, River Dunes, north of Oriental, NC.  It was once again, rainy and gray so a wonderful warm shower and nice amenities sounded great.  We were able to do all sorts of chores such as laundry, groceries, updating computers and phones, and having a nice meal.  We met some fellow cruisers at the dock as well.  One couple (Bob and Jean on Walkabout) we had met three years ago when we rented a car together to see Long island in the Bahamas,  We also met a new couple who boat out of Rock Hall (Nancy and Norm on True Luv), but keep their boat at the marina across from us.  It always fun to see past cruisers and to meet new ones.  As often when we stop here, a wedding was being held here.  They have the cutest little chapel on the premises.  They had it all decorated for the late afternoon wedding.  

The bride and groom stand with water view in background.  How nice is that?  Need a wedding venue anyone?

Sunset in Mile Hammock.

We headed past Beaufort, NC to anchor in Mile Hammock.  We enjoyed a beautiful sunset while we sat out and enjoyed our beverage of choice.  Mershons were there as well as about 8 other boats.  The next morning we arose to a nice sunrise and continued down the waterway to Wrightsville Beach going through several bridges which can be tedious at times.. 

Mershons going through ahead of us at a swing bridge.

Surfs UP!

We decided to stay another day in Wrightsville Beach.  We had our first walk on a beach here with Toni and Dave.  Saw some interesting sights on the way back, such as this frog with the surf board in front of one of the homes.  Another interesting sight on the waterway was this sculpture in someone's yard.

Sea Goddess- I guess?

We are heading to Calebash Creek for tonight which is the start of South Carolina.  A cold front is coming so it looks like a stay in a marina for those 40 degree nights is due,  It is time to plug in the heater!