Heading South Looking for Warmer Weather

Sunday October 31st - Thursday November 4TH - Untied our lines from the basin in Portsmouth and began our way down the ICW. Norfolk is MM1(mile marker) of the Intracoastal Waterway. The Summer Wind joined the slow train through the Virgina Cut, a narrow passage under the timed bridges and through the Great Bridge Lock. Our final destination today was Midway Marina, in Coinjock, NC. As we were tying up we noticed small boats pulling up to the docks, with  usually 3 hunters all dressed in camouflage with their listening devices and rifles. It's deer hunting time and seems that the deer are very aware of it because none of the boats had a carcass, hence lunch time at Crabbie's.

Our plans to travel the next day were dashed by the winds. That evening we were joined by our friends Nancy and Ted McCarley aboard Aloha Friday. We enjoyed spending some time with them that evening. We had talked about possibly going to Manteo together  with another cruiser and made plans for a departure time in the AM.

 Low n Behold, mother nature had other plans, the weather pattern changed again and the winds were whipping 15 - 20 knots. The Pamlico looked rougher and if we didn't at least try to cross the Albermarle, we were going to be socked in for a few days. So out we went, well, that day we wished we had Aloha Friday's magic button. This magic button engages the stabilizers which helps reduce the rocking motion of the boat. Several yelps were heard aboard our boat when we crossed the wide open Albermarle, no we won't say from whom! But it was a day we were happy to get over with! Dropped the hook in a very quiet anchorage, relaxed and enjoyed a beautiful sunset in the Pungo River.

Wednesday morning woke up to windy conditions, so crossing the Neuse wasn't a great idea. Instead we rafted up with Aloha Friday in Long Creek to wait it out for one more day just at the entrance to the Pamlico River. It was cold, rainy but we enjoyed the company of Ted and Nancy aboard the Summer Wind and shared a hot pot of chili!

Thursday morning the winds had calmed but we were socked in with fog. Slowly and steadily we made our way up the Neuse and to the Cedar Creek anchorage. Once again we attempted to raft our boats, but the wakes made it very uncomfortable for all of us. So, we broke apart and dropped the hook. That evening the temperatures dropped again to the low 40's, when your anchoring you can't run your heat unless you have the generator running. We don't run the generator when we're sleeping therefore, thank goodness for warm comforters!!