Well, would you believe after that adventure getting into Manteo in the darkness we had to stay there 5 days. Luckily we did that trip because the weather deteriorated the next day with a horrendous Nor'easter that lasted all week. The marina we were in was not very protected so we had waves coming in and luckily again we had enough space in our slip to tie off both sides of the boat so we didn't bang on the docks.
Our friends Mike and Jane were great hosts. The first night we got there after docking they took us out to dinner and would you believe treated us. THANK"S AGAIN ,M & J.
This adventure is going to have a lot of firsts for us and one we should share is that on route across the Albemarle sound while rocking and rolling we took turns showering while the other steered. We had never done that before.
Manteo on Roanoke Island is a quaint village that explodes in the summer with the tourists. Many great restaurants , beaches, shops and wonderful history about pirates and wild horses on the Outerbanks.
We did our laundry, shopped for fresh veggies and fruit, walked along a beautiful boardwalk, and ate out almost every night. Met many of Mike and Jane's family and friends. All of that was done between the rain and wind.
We watched the weather constantly and finally it looked good to travel for Friday. So off we went at 7:30 am and the Pamlico sound was quiet and made for an easy ride. Should tell you all that because Pamlico sound is so huge and shallow that if the wind is kicking up it could build to very high waves and very quickly. All the more reason to watch it closely.
So on Friday we traveled about 40 miles to a small town called Englehard on the western shore. We were the only boats in the marina and the owner charged us $25 per night including electric.Unfortunately the winds came back and there we were. So down came the bikes and the four of us adventured off far out of town and through the cotton fields. We did that two days in a row. The weather again didn't cooperate until today. 6:30 am we were off the dock and out into the sound for a 62 mile run to Oriental, NC. It was quite lumpy and the Summer Wind was rolling until we turned into the Neuse river. Anchored down in a great cove called Cedar Creek where right now we are one of 10 boats. So the train continues.
One other thing we didn't mention. The dockmaster came to our boat just before we left with 2 wonderful sausage and egg sandwiches that were hot and delicious. NO CHARGE.
ANOTHER ADVENTURE
Gained an hour sleep Saturday but still wanted to get an early start, so the alarm clock went off at 6:00 am. The sun was coming up and the weather was beautiful so off we went out of the basin and out into the Elizabeth river. The train of boats was unreal so we were not alone. This trip took us out of Norfolk, VA with many bridges which had to raise to get under and a lock which took us up about a foot . The above picture showed the train and all of us had to enter the lock at the same time and tie up to the side, so it was long and tedious. Right after the lock we stopped to fill the Diesel tanks since we knew this place had the cheapest fuel on the waterway. $2.58 per gallon which the last time we saw that was in 2006.
So with full tanks and good weather we decided to make a run for Manteo, NC which is across the Albemarle sound and almost into the Pamlico sound. Well since we are now on Eastern standard time the sun was going down earlier and we knew the weather was going to change so we did not want to get stuck in a desolated place again. So onto the Albemarle sound we went and watched the sun go down while we had a number of miles to go. Thank goodness that I had some experience and electronics to help, for it got pitch black and we still had about an hour to go.
Just before it got dark we had a visit from a few pelicans who seemed to be playing with the Summer Wind as they swooped down under my bow and came up on the other side and circled around. They were with us for quite awhile until we couldn't see them anymore.
Mike and Jane were on the dock waiting for us and talking us in down the channel. We arrived at 6:30 in pitch black darkness without any mishaps.
The weather is going to be bad again since there is a storm system moving up from the south, but this place is a neat island and we will have fun here with our friends. So keep looking for the next installment.
Local Celeb greets the Lassmans
The last time we wrote our blog, the weather had finally cleared and we had a wonderful day travelling down the Chesapeake Bay to Deltaville. Little did we know when we arrived that night,the "Sea Witch" was going to brew another storm. When we docked our boat, we were optimistic, did our laundry, filled our water tanks and planned our next stretch down the Bay. Well, not only did the winds kick up that night, the temperatures dropped, brrrrrrrrr, and the boat began to rock. Outside on the Bay were gale warnings, and small craft warnings, yikes. Woke up the next morning, and we didn't have to look outside to know, we weren't going anywhere. You could hear the wind howling, rain pouring and the boat was moving,,, but not the way we wanted. So each morning we woke up anticipating the winds would die down and we could head south.
Finally!! Five days later, we had a beautiful sunny morning, so off the docks we went and headed down the bay for Norfolk VA. On our way down, we looked behind us and there was a trail of at least 14 boats. It was a wonderful day, we felt relief to be moving. We knew we were heading in the right direction, we saw our first pod of dolphins near the mouth of the Bay, and several groups of pelicans soaring through the air.For the past two weeks we had been making plans to meet up with our friends Sam and Barbara Shakespeare " when we make it to Norfolk". They had invited us to come for dinner and spend the night. Little did we know that upon arrival we'd be meeting a local celebrity. Adorned in a nautical collar, and shiney coat, we were greeted by Grace. "Gracie" is a 13 year young friendly lab, who by the wag of her tail and lick of her tongue lets you know she was pleased to meet us as well. She is famous to the locals because her and her dad's (Sam) picture hangs at the local Starbucks. Everyone knows her on sight, but no paw prints please, Gracie likes to be a very clean gal and you just never know who your going to meet.
So, Sam and Gracie picked us up and took us to the local Quest for a routine blood test. Later Barbara greeted us with a warm hug and hello and welcomed us to their lovely home. They showed us our room and the shower, which as most boaters know after a day of travelling, is the most heavenly feeling. Afterwards we joined the Shakespeares downstairs for some great wine and wonderful conversation. Barbara had prepared a delicious salad, spaghetti and meatball dinner served with crusty bread and a lovely olive oil with lots of garlic YUMMMM!!We enjoyed a delicious dessert, coffee, wine and more wonderful conversation. It was a wonderful evening and great to see Barbara and Sam again. Later that evening we snuggled in bed and wondered if we talked their ears off, after being stranded a couple of times its always great to talk with other people.
The next morning we woke to a wonderful aroma of bacon cooking and coffee brewing. Barbara served an amazing breakfast and we of course indulged. It was a wonderful way to begin the day. Later Sam, Barbara and Gracie took us back to the boat and we said our good byes . It was great having the chance to get together.
Thank you Sam and Barbara and Gracie too!! We had a great time!
OH yes one more thing,,,, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM!!!!!!!
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