"NORTH CAROLINA''

Tuesday October 27th, our day began early with fog, cold, and again mass exodus. Early morning was the 'window' of opportunity to go down the Albermarle Sound. We had thought we could possibly go to Manteo, NC, unfortunately by the time we reached the mouth of the sound , yep, the wind had kicked up 10-15 knots and there were gusts above and the sound wasn't very friendly. We had 2-4 foot seas on our forward starboard quarter, if we took the turn east to get to Manteo they would have been beam seas and that would have definitely been a very rough ride. As it was the captain was always reassuring, saying 'only one more hour'. The sound would be narrowing down and we'd be in the Lee of the land. Later we headed down the Alligator/Pungo canal and slowly made our way to Dowry Creek Marina. It was a very long day travelling, but we wanted to be in a marina for the night because the forecast was thunderstorms and high winds. We spent two days in Dowry Creek with many other cruisers. Dowry Creek is a great marina that has a loaner car which enabled us to do a basic reprovisioning and fill our empty propane tanks. The marina also has a wonderful captain's lounge for cruisers to hang out together, a good way to wait out the weather.

Thursday October 29th as the beautiful sun was rising we untied our lines from the dock and headed out. Our journey today took us across the Pamlico River which was very calm and up the Neuse river. The Neuse was a little choppy, but nothing that gave us great concern. Our destination was Adam's creek which is a great anchorage. That evening we shared the anchorage with many sailboats. Our night there was worrisome. Michelle had told us about Barry's race event and it wasn't until early morning that we were reassured everyone was alright.

Friday October 30th, we weighed anchor and started our trek down Adam's Creek. As the morning wore on we were able to take off our jackets and then change from sweats to shorts and tees!!! Our destination today was Spooner's Creek an anchorage that we enjoy because we're surrounded by beautiful homes and we're only 3 blocks away to the local Super Walmart! Our coffee pot had broken so we were on the hunt for one that fits on the boat, it had to be less then 12 inches tall. No luck, oh well, guess the percolator will still have to do!

Saturday October 31st, Happy Halloween! Our destination that day was Mile Hammock Bay. Its a wonderful anchorage at the Camp Lejeune marine base. The marines allow cruisers to anchor there if they are not doing any training. Well, lo and behold we shared our anchorage with Ginny C among many (20) other boats.

Early the next morning we rose shortly after 6 because of time change, and noticed that we were close to the last to leave. Weren't we supposed to get an extra hour sleep? Our stop today was a jam packed anchorage in Wrightsville Beach. After dropping the dinghy down to go ashore, where we found most of the shops closed for the season, especially our favorite ice cream store. We took a leisurely stroll along the shore and enjoyed watching the surfers trying to catch a wave. They were all dressed in wet suits which told us the water was definitely cold. The temperature was dropping so we swiftly headed back aboard the Summer Wind and watched more sailboats jockeying for a spot to drop an anchor.

Our next trip down the Cape Fear river.

to be cont'd.

Adventure into the Dismal Swamp

To see in full screen click on the link below

http://picasaweb.google.com/dilass9

One week, two nor'easters and the Summer Wind was able to finally leave Solomon's area. Early Tuesday morning we rose with enthusiasm to finally be heading for warmer weather. The sun was shining and the Chesapeake was much calmer then she had been for the past week. Early afternoon we tied up at the Regatta Point marina in Deltaville,VA and both of us went to work. The laundry was tended to and various chores on the Summer Wind needed to be addressed and a trip to the local West Marine. We made great use from being docked at a marina, but by the time night came we snuggled down to watch a movie and fell asleep!

Wednesday October 21, we headed back down the Chesapeake and joined the long train of cruising boats. As we were passing sailboats and powerboats, we were waving, and received the same jubilance and smiles from other cruisers who also had been delayed. At the mouth of the Chesapeake river, we came upon a warship that we later learned was returning from deployment in Afghanistan. Hampton, Va ,our destination that day was also the home of Hampton University noted for the first black college of the United States. This area is enriched with history from the Revolutionary war, the British war, the beheading of Blackbeard and the emancipation of black slaves. Our stop was the city pier which was a free night that we received at the Annapolis boat show. Upon walking the docks we came upon a couple on their boat Ginny C that we had past a few times. We started chatting and the next thing you know we're heading out to dinner together. Thank you Chris and Ginny for a delightful evening.

Portsmouth was our next destination but before leaving we found fuel at an "economical" $2.24/gallon. So we fueled up and headed up the Elizabeth river to the Portsmouth basin. This is a great stop for us because we had the chance to meet our friends Barb and Sam Shakespeare for a wonderful dinner.We were able to see Portsmouth's historical district and enjoy Norfolk's waterfront. We visited Nauticus which is a Nautical museum which displayed a tribute to the life of Carl Brashear and USS Wisconsin. For those of you that don't know, Carl Brashear was the first black deep sea navy diver and earned the rank of Master Chief. He not only broke the racial barrier but lost the bottom of his limb and returned to active duty as a disabled diver. His record of servitude was inspiring, impeccable and honorable. If you'd like to learn more about Carl Brashear we suggest you rent the movie "Men of Honor".

Our next leg of our journey took us down the Dismal Swamp. We had read and heard so many wonderful things about the scenery from fellow cruisers who had 'done the ditch'.The ditch had to be completed in two days since there are two locks which only have 3 hour scheduled openings. In the first lock, we were able to sit and chat for about a half hour before the opening. Wow, this lock was nothing like the Erie Canal. The doors slightly open and the water rushes in and the Summer Wind was of course up front by the doors so needless to say we were surfing! After the first lock there is a lift bridge that the lock master also has to drive down to lift. So all the boats sat patiently waiting for the 'bridge tender/lock master to open the bridge. We wonder how many people in automobiles would have this type of patience. The Dismal Swamp was absolutely beautiful, the leaves were just starting to change to their autumn colors. We crossed the North Carolina state line and came upon the welcome center. This is a state park that provides free dockage which is long enough for four good size boats, however 'rafting' is expected. By the time night came we were four boats long and three boats wide. There were two catamarans 23 feet wide in our group. It made for a very interesting night with meeting new cruisers.

Early the next morning as soon as one person started to untie it seemed that most of the boats decided to leave. Of course that made an interesting wait at the next timed bridge and the second lock. This lock was somewhat small and we didn't think we were going to fit because each side was full. But lo and behold we rafted inside the lock. We were a little nervous about being tied to a sailboat in the lock, but the lock tender took his time lowering us back down the 8 feet, we hardly noticed. Our destination that day was Elizabeth City. Click on the video below or use the link to see full view, believe it or not, we're being lowered. http://picasaweb.google.com/dilass9

Elizabeth City offers 14 free slips for the night, no electric but there is water. The talk over the radio was whether the slips would be open or would we all be anchoring out for the night because the weather was deteriorating and the next body of water was Albermarle Sound which could be nasty. Well we arrived at the docks and everyone found a slip. We stayed there 2 days in rain, wind, and cold. We hardly noticed because we were busy doing laundry again and our friends Mike and Jane came with their son and we all went out to a great Tex-Mex dinner. The following day the townsfolk gave all the boaters a wine and cheese party with roses for the ladies. This is a lovely tradition carried on by the town in honor of Fred Fearing who did it all the time. He passed away 2 years ago.

So next is Albermarle sound so stay tuned........

RED SKY AT NIGHT??????????????

It is now Saturday, October 17 and we are anchored in Solomon Islands and have been for 6 days!

Since our last entry in Kent Island. Thursday morning we rented a car and drove to Dick's daughter Debby"s to spend a night. As usual she was a great hostess and made a wonderful brisket with the usual trimmings, topped off with delicious homemade brownies. Met the new cute four legged addition to the Flynn family, Daisy Jane. We also enjoyed an exciting soccer game at Meghan's school and then went to Lauren's practice. Thanks, Debby and girls.

We slept there knowing that the Summer Wind was safe at the Yacht club.

Friday morning we drove to Annapolis to the boat show. Walked our feet off in balmy 80 degree weather and even bumped into our friends Tom and Diane. It would seem impossible to find anyone you knew in that crowd. While at the boat show we had the opportunity to talk with the manufacturers of our bow thruster and got the name of a mechanic in the area to check it out. He came the next day and found the problem but we had to order parts from the factory. We left the Kent Island Yacht Club Sunday morning, having the parts delivered to the Washburn's Boat Yard in Solomon Island knowing we would be there in a few days. We entered Knapp's narrows bridge and then went to a nice little anchorage called Dun's cove which reminded us of Hamburg Cove on the Connecticut river. Lot's of boats there since it was a holiday weekend. Left Dun's cove Monday October, 12 and here we are still in Solomon Island. The bow thruster was repaired and now we wait for Mother Nature again. The weather on the Chesapeake Bay has been horrendous and we count 12 boats anchored around us just waiting. There are 5-6 foot waves, rain and high winds and the temperatures have been hovering in the low 50's during the day and have gone down to low 40's at night. We had to rescue our Down comforter from hiding in the V-berth. Thank God it was there.

One of the great things about belonging to the MTOA (Marine Trawler Owner's Assoc) is the port captains. We had contacted Dick and Carol who are listed for the Solomon's. Well last night they picked us up and we had an enjoyable dinner at a nice Mexican restaurant and then went to a movie. (Julia and Julie)

Thank you Dick and Carol, it was fun.

We will hopefully be able to move farther south by next Tuesday since that is when this front will have past. Lets hope!!!!!