Side trip to the Outer Banks

On this trip we had planned to explore areas we missed last winter
and the Outer Banks of North Carolina was at the top of the list.
Our plan is to transit the Ablemarle and Pamlico Sounds then rejoin
the ICW at Oriental.


Tues Oct 27th- The winds have veered to the north and an exodus of
boats is taking place in the early morning fog. We waited for the
fog to lift and were off by 8. Had a great sail down the wide
Pasquotank River into Ablemarle Sound and on to historic Roanoake
Island. As we entered the protected harbor after a 47 mile run we
were suprised to see the only boat at anchor was the ketch
Moonshadow belonging to Wes and Snow whom we snorkeled with in the
Tortugas last winter. We tied to a free town dock along the
waterfront boardwalk and found Snow nearby busy weaving her
hammocks. She and Wes joined us aboard later and we had a great
time catching up.


Wed-After a rainy start the day cleared and temps climbed into the
80's. Snow took us on a tour of the Outer Banks (she grew up here
and was a great guide). In the afternoon we took a long bike ride
to the Fort Raleigh National Park, site of the historic lost
colony.


Thurs- Headed out at daybreak in strong north winds for our 70 mile
run down the Pamlico Sound to Ocracoke. This is a huge body of
water at least 80 miles long and over 30 miles wide near Cape
Hatteras and the rough seas kept us at the wheel all day. Our
autopilot is useless in big waves but a great crewmember when it's
calm. Arrived in the protected harbor (Silver Lake) at 5PM and anchored in calm waters
among 5 other boats.

Fri- Sunny but still cool, biked around the area ending up with a long walk on the beautiful wide ocean beach.

Sat- Sunny and warm, our first real summerlike day. Great sailing all day as the wind built and we kept reducing sail. By afternoon it was blowing at 20 kts and we had double reefed main and just a bit of jib. Covered 40 miles before anchoring in the calm waters of Broad Creek. Warm evening under a nearly full moon.

Sun- Headed out in thick fog on glassy water. After about an hour the wind was howling as the temps dropped 20 degrees and we ran for cover into Oriental Harbor. Spent the afternoon wandering about town. Rainy and cold late afternoon. I bought a few needed items at a great marine consignment shop.

Mon-Cloudy and cool, We are now back on the ICW, motor sail 23 miles to Beaufort, anchor in town creek, walk around town.

Dismal Swamp, North Carolina

Fri,Oct 23rd- Sunny and warm, bike to town for a few supplies(groceries and kerosene). Met a local fisherman on the dock who gave us 2 nice seatrout, which after filleting fed us for 2 nights of excellent dinners. Motor thru the canal to the NC visitor center docks. We were the 13th boat to arrive and we were rafted 4 deep.(the dock has room for 4 boats) Met many of the boaters at happy hour ashore. (It may sound like all we do is party each night but this is the only time we get to interact with with other people. We have met many interesting boaters thru these gatherings and get to share a lot of information this way.)

Sat- sunny and warm hi near 80. Borrowed real bikes from the visitors center(our folding bikes have 20" wheels) and rode to the next town on a paved bike trail. Many boats headed out early but another batch came in so we had a dozen boats for the evening gab fest.

Sun-Motor to Elizabety City where the town supplies free docks and a wine and cheese party each night. There were at least 20 boats docked ,many that we have been traveling with for at least part of the trip.

Monday- strong n-e winds kept everyone holed up here. The 2 boats that ventured out into Ablemarle sound were back within a couple of hours because of the rough seas. We biked for propane and a few supplies, Chris got caught in the rain and came back cold and wet just in time to catch the end of the Rose Buddies coctail party.

On thru the Lower Chesapeake

Wed- Nasty weather(double barrel nor'easter) predicted starting tomorrow so we headed back to Annapolis, mix of sailing and motor. Caught 2 nice bluefish on the trip across. Anchor once again in Harness Creek where we plan to leave the boat to travel north for the weekend.

Thurs- Holed up in boat during heavy rain and cold(mid 40's) all day. The combination of our new propane heater, trawler lamp and a lot of baking on Chris' part is keeping the boat toasty even though it's hard to keep the condesation on the cold surfaces under control.

Fri, Sat,Sun- Rented car and drive to Rochester for my niece Caryn's wedding. Cold and rainy. We enjoyed seeing Kate and Alli, also my brother David and sister Ellen and family. We stayed at Chris' sisters and had a quick visit at Chris' brothers. Very nice wedding and reception.

Mon- return rental car and did a little shopping. Still cold but no rain. Enjoyed cocktails with 2 neighboring boats.

Tues- Time to move on even though the winds are calm. Motor south 51 miles to Solomons Island.

Wed Oct 21st- Sunny and warmer but still no wind, Motor to Jackson Creek(Deltaville Va), invited neighboring boat "Perseverance" aboard for happy hour. Turns out we had many sailing friends in common from last year and we had a great evening swapping stories.

Thurs- Sunny and hot(finally), Motor into headwinds to all the conjestion of Norfolk and Hampton Roads harbors and on to a free town dock in South Norfolk. This is the point where we leave the open waters of the Chesapeake behind and enter the protected ICW. We get a chance to travel without paying quite as close attention to the weather. We have covered about 850 miles so far and are looking foreward to warmer weather.

Upper Chesapeake Bay

As we make our way onto the upper bay we are amazed once again at the beauty of the area. High forested banks abound with wildlife. Bald eagles circle overhead while deer wander the shoreline in each anchorage. Geese in huge flocks finding their way south seem always anxious to be on the move. Our plan last year was to spend time exploring here but the cold chased us south, so this year we vow once again to get to know the creeks and rivers of the bay a little better.

Thurs, Oct 8th- Chilly morning but bright sun warmed us as we motored south 25 miles to Still Pond on the eastern shore. Explored up the creek until we ran aground in what was charted as 8 ft. Anchor in south end of pond where we were entertained by numerous mature eagles and 2 familes of deer(each with twins) wandering the shore.

Fri-Sunny and much warmer, hi near 80 with strong south winds. Tried beating south but the open waters were to rough for comfort. Anchored in Worten Creek with great protection where we were surrounded by at least a thousand geese. Thankfully they all left before nightfall as the noise was amazing.

Sat-Showery and cool, NW winds at 15-20 swept us 40 miles down the bay past Annapolis where we anchored in Harness Creek, one of our favorite stops from last year. The sky cleared and we enjoyed a great hike thru the beautiful Quiet Waters county park that surrounds us. More deer but no eagles.

Sun-Sunny but cool- Biked into Annapolis where the sailboat show is in progress. The surrounding waters are a real zoo with boats everywhere. Glad we chose our peaceful anchorage. Lunch in town after wandering about.

Mon-Cold and cloudy, sailed and motored across the bay to St Michaels. Caught 2 bluefish along the way. 17 boats in the snug anchorage. Mostly canadiens and one vermonter. Feels like we never left the lake.

Tues-Sunny and warmer, Biked around St Michaels which is a cute historic town turned high class tourist trap. It's saving grace is a great maritime museum. Followed Chris thru numerous pricey shops.

Chesapeake City pictures

At the free dock.

cruisers cocktail party.

Jersey coast to the head of Chesepake Bay

Over the past 10 days we have sailed down the New Jersey shore and back up the Deleware Bay with a stop in South Jersey to visit friends for a few days.

Wed Sept 30- The winds have finally calmed a bit and we headed out early with about a dozen other boats. Lower NY Bay was rough but once we turned south on the ocean we had much calmer waters and a great sail to Barnegat Light anchorage.

Thurs. Weather predicted to turn nasty tomorrow so we got an early start to make Cape May before dark. Great sailing to Atlantic City then wind veered so we had to work into rough seas the next 44 miles. Covered 138 miles in the past 2 days.

Fri- Winds now out of the south so we headed up Delaware Bay to visit our good friends Bob and Mae up the Cohansey River. Winds built to 20mph for great sailing but we were fighting a 2 mph tidal current and the waves were short and steep.

Sat thru Mon- Spent time with the LaRoys who as usual treated us royally. They supplied us with a car and some great meals, Spent the day Sunday striper fishing on the bay with Bob and a friend.

Tues-Motor up the bay and thru the C&D canal to Chesapeake City where we tied up to the free town dock. Biked around town.

Wed- Gale winds but sunny, no one traveling today. Joined about a dozen other boaters for a cocktail party in the park where we were entertained by 2 of the boaters on guitars.

Lake Champlain & Hudson River

Albany, NY
Through one of the 11 locks.
Memorial lighthouse at Crown Pt., NY
Not a lot of wood here!