April 30 - May 8, 2015

We spent a total of 8 days in Oriental waiting for Annie and Tom to catch up to us. They never did. Tropical Storm Anna had everybody hunkering down for a few days. Too bad, it would have been nice to see them again. During our time in Oriental we borrowed the free cruisers' bikes just about every day and toured the area.

Local Oriental diver!

Fish market in Oriental.

That's me on the beach in Oriental.

 

We had dinner at a sports bar with fellow boaters and also watched an important soccer match there one afternoon.

Nel's Sport Bar and Grill.

Dinner at Nel's.

We stopped here for a visit while on the bikes.

 

May 8, 2015

 

We left Oriental at 0600. Just an hour after our departure, Jorge noticed the batteries were still not accepting a charge from the engine. We turned around and went back to Oriental to check out the problem once again. We thought we had it solved as the Xantrex battery indicator showed 21 amps coming in. Yahoo!! Not the case for long. At least the solar panels were doing their job and charging the batteries for us, albeit only a little bit due to the clouds. We travelled as far as the entrance to the Alligator-Pungo Canal, setting anchor at 1825. After leaving Oriental, the Neuse River was a bit rough with wind and waves on the nose but soon we were able to change course and were able to motor sail for almost the rest of the day.

 

May 9, 2015

 

We pushed hard to make some tracks, trying to keep ahead of Tropical Storm Anna, leaving at first light - 0525. We motored through the canal but once in the Alligator River we were able to motor sail and did the same through the Albemarle Sound. However one of us had to be on "pottie alert" as we were back in crab pot territory. We anchored in the ICW just off the yacht club north of Elizabeth City as it was too rough with the wind and waves to dock at the free town docks.  

 

Pulling up anchor in Elizabeth City, roots as well as a water snake (middle of picture).

 

May 10, 2015

 

We were successful in keeping ahead of Tropical Storm Anna. She only caught up to us as we passed through the first lock, South Mill Lock, of the Dismal Swamp with heavy rain which only last a few minutes. We tied up at the free dock at the Welcome Centre.

Turtle at the first dock in the Dismal Swamp.

South Mill Lock, Dismal Swamp.

Our track through the Dismal Swamp.

 

May 11, 2015

 

Today the swamp really was dismal looking. It was very overcast and we had some light rain but all in all things were good.

 

While waiting for the second lock at Deep Creek to open, Jorge took the alternator out of the boat and had it tested at an auto shop next to the lock. It was pooched! He took it apart to see if he could fix it but that wasn't the case. He put it back together, installed it again and we limped to Hampton (Norfolk).

 

Jorge working on the alternator. (Not sure why this picture is sideways?)

 

First though, we spent the night at the lock and had breakfast with other boaters and with the lock master, Robert. He was very knowledgeable and gave us a history lesson about the swamp along with breakfast of coffee, OJ, fresh fruit and pastries. Yummy!!

Lock master's office.

Breakfast with the lock master (next to Jorge).

Hank and Jorge at second lock, Deep Creek Lock.

We had struck up a friendship with Hank in Oriental and had been traveling with him.

 

May 12, 2015

 

Once anchored in Mill Creek, Hampton, we couldn't find a dinghy dock close to town so a military couple offered us the use of their dock for as long as we needed it. Perfect! People have just been wonderful. First things first, we found a sports bar that was showing the first game of the semi finals in the European Championship League. Yes, we cruise around the soccer matches. Next Jorge made some inquiries into alternator repair shops. We found one in Virginia Beach which required renting a car to get to it.

 

May 13, 2015

 

Today we rented the car, drove to the shop, had the alternator fixed while we watched the second semi final soccer match, picked the alternator up and returned to the boat. Jorge installed the rebuilt alternator and it worked! We also visited the yacht club as a couple of the boaters we had dinner with at Nel's in Oriental are members here. We were able to meet up with one of the guys and had a nice visit with him. We also drove around Fort Monroe and did some sightseeing.

 

May 14, 2015

 

We did some shopping and had lunch out before returning the car. Once back at the boat, we checked the weather. At first we decided to leave on Sunday but tomorrow's weather was looking better and better. After supper, the decision was made to leave tomorrow after fuelling up, making a 30 hour run to Cape May, on the outside. Only a year ago at this time, we were making a 30 hour run from Martinique to Grenada!

 

Jorge and our rental car in Hampton (Norfolk).