Day28 Beaufort NC to Wrightsville Beach NC

Brrrrrr I never knew 62 degrees could be so cold! When we started out this morning it was a brisk 53 degrees and cloudy later the sun came out and the temps rose but it didn't feel like it. We pulled into our slip at 4:45pm it felt much later. We are now in Wrightsville Beach NC and only 65miles or 1 day from Myrtle Beach SC. After such a long, cold, day it feels really good to be tied to a dock. Once in our slip the sun was shining and we could begin to shed our layers of clothes. Today was by far the prettiest as far as scenery, all the beautiful and colorful homes along the ICW, the dolphins playing in the water along the many boats heading south. It really is beautiful here, all the homes on the ICW with their long docks jetting out into the waterway facing the beautiful marsh lands and many creeks that face all the hotels and homes along the Alantic coast not far away. The only problem we find now we are traveling in the waterway, is all the small fishing boats and crabbers you must slow down for as to not wake them. There are so many that it really slows things down. Tomorrow, if weather permits, we may travel on the outside (Atlantic) to cut off some miles and move at a much faster pace. We are now anxious to get to MB and unwind, And the captain has been on HIGH alert for almost 4 weeks and is drained. A few rounds on the golf course should take care of that. We have a couple of old friends from Raynham that moved to MB almost 10 years ago we are looking forward to seeing and it gives Jim a partner or 2 to golf with. More later and pictures to follow.

Day 26 Still in Beautiful Beaufort NC

We will be here until Friday as we are now so close to Mrytle Beach we have decided to stay awhile and enjoy. This morning there were only half a dozen motoryachts here and maybe two dozen sailboats. But by 2:30 the boats started to pull in for the night It was like a parade, by 5 o'clock the place was packed. They have 90 transient slips here there are very few empty slips now. Today it rained most of the day, temps were cool 64 degrees tomorrow looks to be the same. When we leave here we plan on spending a night in Wrightville Beach then onto MB SC.

Day 24 Belhaven NC to Beaufort NC

On day 23 we traveled from Coinjock to Belhaven both NC got a very late start 10am had to get fuel,pumpout etc. got to Belhaven at 4:30 a late day. The Albermarl Sound lived up to everything we heard (nasty trip) windy sloppy.

So today we left early (for us) in the channel by 7:30. Traveled alligator river nice easy trip. Then into the Pamlico River very ruff it threw us side to side for about an hour (felt much longer) after we made our turn it was following seas for the rest of the way on the Sound. We saw Dolphins today !!!! yeah! Definitely a good sign that we are heading in the right direction. Now in Beaufort NC a must stop, we were here in April by car. Nice small town with a great main street right off the docks. Didn't take any pictures today to busy holding on to our seats. We will take pictures of Beaufort. We will be here for at least a couple of days. We are now less than 150 miles from Myrtle Beach which we will stay for 6-8 weeks while we travel home for Thanksgiving at my sister Nancy's always a good time. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Nancy!!!! Love you!

Day 22 We are on ICW (Coinjock) NC

We decided on the Virginia Cut numerous bridges some swing some railroad and our first lock!
Timing is everything as some bridges open every hour some every 1/2 hour. Bridge number one there were 12 motor yachts and 14 blowboaters, 26 boats all treading water for 1/2 hours or so waiting. Quite the experience, all huttled together and then all into the lock (directly after the first bridge). Well not all fit so the motorboats went first (faster). We cruised 6kts-8kts 1/2 the way till we got to the Currituck Sound then 10 kts till we came into Coinjock NC we basically followed the same boat all day. We are now at Midway Marina, I highly recommend making slip reservations in advance as so many boats are heading south and slip space is limited. We reserved a slip last night here. The boat next to us is from Falmouth Ma and on the otherside a sail boat from Jamestown RI. I took lots of pictures Jim will load them in later.

Day 20 Norfolk/Portsmouth VA

We finally had a day for travel though a short day 4.5 hours at 12 knots. We made it to Norfolk/Portsmouth and are now mins to the ICW. Weather on the Bay was overcast but no rain, waves were comfortable a bit choppy at the mouth of the bay going into Norfolk but not bad at all. Coming into Norfolk you could see all the military helicopters (security) and lots of chatter on the VHF from warships stating their intentions and warning boaters to keep 500yards away. Very intimadating to say the least! As we came into the Harbour there were Naval Ships EVERYWHERE and of course lots of security boats. And the sun came out just as we pulled into dock now 80 and sunny. Not sure what the plan is for tomorrow as we are waiting to see where Liberty and Esperanza land as they are 1 or 2 travel days away.
Heads up! We are at Portsmouth Boating Center cheap money for a slip $50 with free internet and cable but very industrial and noisey! We'll have picures later!

Day 16 and 17 Yes, we are still in Deltaville Va

Yes, we are in a holding pattern too! After this weather front blows out of here we can all start moving again. So, yes we are still ahead of you but not gaining any more ground. At least we are in a good spot, with all the amenities. It was a beautiful day here (at dock) those very few that traveled said it was nasty out there. I guess that's the consolation. Well, we dropped all our chain and inspected it. You would of thought we had done that before we left, but no we did it today! Everything is as it should be, and in working order. Now when Esperanza says we can meet up and drop anchor we will be a little more prepared and a bit less intimidated.
Oh and by the way, the store here carries all the skipper Bob books does anyone need anything? I know Scott and Lane have become fans, if you need any of them let me know we will pick it up for you.

Day 15 Deltaville VA

Finally in Va. We are at Doziers Regatta Point very nice marina and price is good 1.25 / ft make sure you let them know your an AGLCA member for the discount. They serve coffee, OJ, and donuts in the morning in the Captains Lounge along with a newspaper. They have a courtesy car , free bikes to use and a list of restaurants with shuttle service. They are owned by Doziers waterway guides and have a store with guides for sale and all the skipper bob booklets too. Very friendly !!!
Tomorrow we will move on to Norfolk VA not sure where we will land for the night we will be researching, we may stay an extra night in Norfolk or here not sure yet. We were thinking it would be nice to do the Dismal Swamp with Liberty and Esperanza. Does everyone think they can get here by Sunday night? Or Norfolk by Monday night? Let us know. Theres a Visitors Center in the Dismal Swamp where we can raft up together for the night and its free.