Day 7

June 28, 2006

We woke up to calm waters and clear skies. Much of the marina shoved off early to get on their way�many of the boaters had been there 2 or 3 days waiting for the weather to break.

We navigated the Pungo and Pamlico Rivers then entered Goose Creek. It was here that we happened upon the porpoises! It was amazing. They were coming out of the water and diving back in right in front of the boat!

We got into the Neuse River, and our good fortune ended. Huge dark clouds threatened to engulf us. Thunder rumbled in the distance. A rain shower or two passed over us, but they were short lived and weak. Until, of course, it was time to turn in to the marina. We tried to hang out for a while to let the storm pass, but it only got worse. Amy went out to set up the lines and was soaked in about 30 seconds. The wind was picking up and visibility became a problem.

As we drove back into the creek to find the marina, we were protected from the wind and were able to dock without much ado. We walked to West Marine to pick up some things we needed and we got some much needed internet time using the marinas WiFi�we haven�t been on the internet in many days!

The Weather Channel calls for scattered thunderstorms but low winds for the next couple days. We could use an uneventful day or two!

Day 6

June 27, 2006

Another rough day on the water. We decided to pack it in early since the winds were picking up and we had another big open-water crossing coming up. We turned in to Dowry Creek Marina around noon. We made 3 or 4 approaches to back into a slip, but the wind and the fear of hitting the half a million dollar boats on either side, convinced us to bow in. This time it was about 5 or 6 people trying to wrestle Recess into submission. It took 3 or 4 others just to commentate.

With the boat securely tied, we took the courtesy car and headed for Belhaven. By the time we returned, the storm was in full affect. The fight to tie Recess down was on again. After a long battle, Recess was secure and we were more than a little tattered. The dock master hosted a potluck, so we had a chance to relax and share war stories with the other boaters. It was an exhausting day, but we learned a lot.

Day 5

We knew we were facing a pretty serious body of water when we reached the Albemarle sound and saw the white caps. It was a rough, bumpy ride for 3 or 4 hours. We managed to keep our stomachs and our nerves calm. We anchored in Alligator River on the other side of the sound.

Day 4

June 25, 2006

We made a short run to Elizabeth City, NC. The winds were picking up, getting into a slip at the marina was tricky�three guys on the dock wrestling with a 35,000 pound boat is quite a sight!

Dave�s brother Dave and his wife Christie, drove almost 4 hours to see us and take a look at Recess. We went to dinner and picked up some provisions then they headed back to Fayetteville. It was awesome to see them even if for just a few hours.

Day 3

June 24, 2006

We made it through the storm unscathed. Dave pulled up anchor hand over hand. Navigated through some pretty scary boat traffic: aircraft carriers, container ships, etc. We had to ask the bridge tenders to open a couple of bridges for us. It�s pretty amazing to see these huge bridges raise just so we can pass!

We finally reached the beginning of the Intra-Coastal Waterway. We had a choice: the Dismal Swamp or the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal. We couldn�t resist the swamp. But first we had to face Deep Creek Lock! Amy was pretty apprehensive about locking through, but the lock master was patient and helpful. We were raised about 9� into the canal.

The swamp is beautiful. A narrow river lined with trees. We had to stay in the middle where it was 6� and watch for floating logs. We played chicken with a big catamaran�we couldn�t move over into shallow water, but the catamaran took up more than half the river. It opted to pull over and wait for us to pass.

About halfway through the swamp we pulled up to the free dock at the rest area. We met two couples in sailboats heading north. They wondered why we were going into hurricane season while everyone else was trying to get out. Good question.

Cruising to Florida, Days 1 and 2

June 23, 2006

The end of day two and we are sitting in the middle of Willoughby Bay awaiting the thunderstorm. We were advised to stay below deck with our life jackets on, but we are sitting on the sun deck watching the military helicopters and aircraft carriers go by.
Let us back track a bit to catch you up. Sunday evening we loaded up as much stuff as we had ready into Burgundy’s pick up and drove it down to Recess. We spent a few hours unpacking, looking at the amount of stuff we had, and reloading those things we decided we could live without. We were hot, tired and hungry by the end.
As Dave was jumping off the boat, he stabbed himself with a pair of sheep hoof shears—try explaining that to the triage nurse. Amy ran around frantic: pulling open boxes looking for a first aid kit, a band aid, clean rag…anything! Meanwhile, Dave is sitting on the dock trying to hold the hole closed.
A few hours in the ER, a tetanus shot, gauze, Neosporin and Pringles and we were on our way. We arrived home around 1:00am. Still hot, tired and hungry, but now injured as well.
Amy worked the next day, and Farmer Dave worked summer camp and packed up more stuff. Packing and cleaning went late into the night. The Burgundy server crashed sometime around midnight. Amy finished up inside and headed to Silvia’s around 3:00am to get a couple hours sleep before school. Dave left Burgundy at 6:00am with a rental car full of more stuff.
Dave spent Tuesday and most of Wednesday discovering all the nooks and crannies where things could be stored. Amy stayed in town with Silvia to finish up the last day of school and pack up her classroom. Kerry drove her to the boat Wednesday afternoon.
Thursday morning we were off!! We had some high winds and rough seas. Amy was not feeling so hot for most of the trip, but it was Dave who ultimately hung over the side.
We stayed at the Norview, Marina in Deltaville, MD. We took some tofu and veggies over to the grill by the pool. We had a great dinner then a cool dip. Dave fixed the anchor light while Amy scrubbed the deck before bedtime.
That brings us to today. We got a late start, but the waters were relatively calm. We decided to make today a short one so we could regroup. We touched bottom for the first time, but Dave managed to get us off and into some good water. Tomorrow we will reach the entrance to the Intercoastal Waterway and our first lock!
As we write, the wind is kicking up. The sky is black. We’re just hoping the anchor holds! Wish us luck!