Oriental, NC

Mon- Another bright sunny morning but still cool, around 45. Highs expected in the mid 60's. Decided to move on as a cold front is coming thru tonite bringing big winds. Today we cross Ablemarle Sound and down the Alligator River. The sound is only a max of 17 ft deep but about 50miles long by 15 wide, apparently the waves can be very choppy at times. This area is inside the outer banks west of Kitty Hawk. I can't believe that any Gators live in the Alligator river as the water is only 58 today. For The first 20 miles it is more like a big bay as it is 5 miles wide, but about 10 ft deep. The shoreline is lowlands with no developed areas. We anchored up a creek that was more like Piercefield Flow( will try to post pics, havn't had much luck with that). Motored thru dead standing trees to get to creek. Much of the water was only charted at 5 ft but we never touched. Anchored just before front rolled thru with big winds (25 knts) and heavy rain. Filled fuel with 17 gal. first time since the 14th. diesel was $2.92/gal, lowest we've seen yet. Traveled 34 miles today, all motoring into headwinds.





Tues- Dawned breezy, cold and clear, 38 degrees and another beautiful sunrise. Winds predicted west 20-30kt. Motor into headwinds until we turned south at Belhaven, Great sailing then down Pungo river, across Pamlico Sound thru canal and Bay river and back into Sound. Anchor up Broad Creek, very protected and scenic. Even though it was cool, when we heard there was 15 in of snow at home we toasted that with a gin-tonic. I guess I better quit complaining about the cold. Has been sunny almost every day so our greenhouse(enclosure) has stayed warm. If it wasn't for that I'm sure Chris would have mutinied by now. traveled 50 miles today, about half sailing.





Wed - Sunny and still chilly -high of 55. We sailed down Pungo River, across pamlico Sound,down Goose Creek thru canal to Bay river and back into the sound. Great sailing much of the timewith just the jib. Winds were 15-22. Anchored in Broad Creek. 49 miles today.





Thurs - 38 degres, Arrived in Oriental, NC at the town dock(free for 2 nights) around 11:30. It is still cool but sunny. We took a walk to pick up our mail. Then it was a bike ride for groceries and dinner at a real locals place. There is a marine consignment shop where Kevin found a prop for the dingy motor. There are a few restaraunts and a great maine supply store.