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).

April 24, 2015

We left Calabash Creek at 0830 as planned. Our destination was Southport. There was a tricky area along the ICW called Lockwood's Folley where we ran aground pretty hard on our travels south. We were prepared this time. We hit the area at high tide and thankfully there had been some dredging going on so the lowest water we saw was some 9 feet. We sailed through without any problems! (ok we motored through). Unfortunately there was no room at the anchorage we wanted in Southport, it was only a small basin, and there were already three boats anchored there so we kept going for another mile or so and anchored in the Cape Fear River. It was a Class A Inlet so a few large cargo ships passed and it was quite busy with smaller boats. Did I say how calm most of our anchorages had been? Well this certainly wasn't the case but we have been in worse!

April 25, 2015

It was a relatively short day today, distance-wise, so we left our anchorage in Cape Fear River at 0945. We had to do another tricky area known as Snow's Cut, but again we had no problems. We arrived in Wrightsville Beach and after the third try we set anchor. In the shallower water the bottom was known to be hard so we eventually opted for deeper water where the anchor grabbed and held us nicely.

We walked around and enjoyed Wrightsville for a few days. Jorge pulled the dinghy out of the water and gave it a good cleaning. I took the cart and tank and went in search of propane. We also filled up with diesel and water. Boat jobs done, we were prepared to leave the next day. Shawn and Leanne had caught up with us and the plan was to sail on the outside to Beaufort. After discussing the weather with them over happy hour, it was decided the ICW was the route to take.

Local paddle boarders' race.

We had front row seats to the race.

April 28, 2015

We weighed anchor at 0820 and made it through the first bridge at 0900. We were 7 minutes late for the next bridge we came to at 1300 so we had to wait an hour for the next opening (this bridge only opened on the hour). Well just before 1400 emergency vehicles crossed the bridge meaning the bridge had to get clearance from them before opening. Another half hour passed before the bridge was able to open so we lost 1-1/2 hours! What was supposed to be an average travelling day turned out longer than expected. However we made it to Mile Hammock Bay and set anchor by 1720, still with lots of daylight. This is a bay surrounded by military property so lots of maneuvers going on.

The military has some weird looking flying machines!

 

We have had some cool weather in the last few days but hey we are still able to wear bathing suits - just have the layered look. Who says you can't wear bathing suits in N.C. in April?

Jorge's new fashion statement.

April 29, 2015

We left Mile Hammock Bay at 0800. We had to pass through Camp LeJeune, another military area, where they conduct "live firing" exercises and shut the ICW down to traffic at times. Luckily this was not one of those times and we travelled uninterrupted the whole day. We set anchor in Spooner's Creek just south of Morehead City. We went ashore with Shawn, Leanne and Daeyten, did some shopping and ordered a pizza for supper. Gotta love pizza shops!

Sign indicating the entrance to Spooner's Creek.

April 30, 2015

We decided rather than stay another day in Spooner's Creek (it was not very transient boat friendly) we would press on to Oriental. We encountered a minor hiccup going through Morehead City as a tug and barge were travelling through one of the bridges and needed the clearance. He was mostly out of our way by the time we got to the bridge but care was still taken as he was still in the harbour. We encountered some rain and rough water as we crossed the Neuse River from Adam's Creek to Oriental but the distance was less than 3 miles. We arrived at the free town dock of Oriental and tied up. We hung out with Shawn, Leanne and Daeyten for the next couple of days.

 

Jorge bought a new pair of sunglasses (which he gladly shares). Courtesy bikes for cruisers supplied by of one of the local stores.

Jorge and Daeyten.

Jorge and Kim.

Approaching storm.

 

CS'ta Time at anchor in Oriental, N.C.

Oriental in spring bloom.

May 3, 2015

We had a bit of an electrical problem. Ok whenever there is an electrical problem, it is never "a bit". The batteries were not taking a charge from the engine during overcast days, the solar panels were still doing their thing when there was sunshine. After spending more than half a day on the problem, Jorge discovered a corroded fuse prong. After cleaning it, viola . . . batteries accepted the charge from the engine and problem was solved.

We overstayed our time on the free dock, 48 hours maximum but as the docks weren't busy we stayed an extra night before heading to the harbour to anchor. Shawn and Leanne left today as they would like to be in Canada much earlier than us.

We are waiting for friends (Annie and Tom) we met in the Bahamas on the way south and again on the way north, to arrive in Oriental. They live and keep their boat here. They are about a week behind us, so hopefully they can catch up before we have to move on. This is a great little town to wait in. They are so boater friendly. We're loving it here!

Where did I leave off?

April 17, 2015

We left Beaufort, S.C. in a light fog. It stayed with us for a couple of hours before lifting completely but the day was mostly overcast. We put in a long day, almost 12 hours, anchoring just south of Charleston in the Stono River where it meets Elliott Cut. We were in an anchorage with lots of current but the anchor held well.

April 18, 2015

The plan was to go to St. John Yacht Harbour for a pumpout in the morning and then travel for a few hours in the afternoon. Well, we didn't get to the Yacht Harbour until 1130, after travelling between the finger docks almost sideways with the current. Things were just so good there, we stayed all day. First the pumpout was free, as was the water, and showers. Then when we asked about tying up and going ashore for groceries, they offered us a slip free for the afternoon and a courtesy car free for 2 hours. How could we refuse? Needless to say, it was after 1700 before we left the marina so travelling any distance today was out of the question. We anchored outside the marina in a strong current, little sleep for Jorge.

April 19, 2015

It was race weekend in Charleston with some 300 sailboats participating. The Coast Guard was broadcasting restricted areas in the harbour during the day so we opted to leave Stono River at 0600 and get across the harbour before the races started at 0830. Mission accomplished! We motored and motor sailed through the ICW. We encountered some really shallow areas slowing right down to almost idle, as the depth sounder showed shallower and shallower water. We need it to read 3.3 feet before running aground and we were very near to that depth! Finally the water got deeper, the current was with us and the wind picked up so we put the genoa out. At one point we were doing 8.2 kts in a narrow channel in 7.6 feet of water! A little irresponsible? Maybe. It was another long day, almost 12 hours. We set anchor in Minim Creek just south of Georgetown. No sooner was the anchor set when it started to rain, complete with thunder and lots of lightening. A sailboat and a motor boat shared the anchorage with us and I am sure the other captains were quite as relieved as Jorge was when the storm ended.

April 20, 2015

We left Minim Creek just after 0900 and had a pleasant day, motoring past Georgetown and into the Cypress Swamp. We called it quits early and had the anchor set at 1530 in an anchorage we stopped at on the way south. The spot was perfect, little current, no traffic and no thunderstorms!

Early morning rainbow in Cypress Swamp, S.C.

Early morning anchorage in Cypress Swamp, S.C.

April 21, 2015

We left the anchorage just after 0900. Destination - Myrtle Beach, only 3 hours away. Shawn and Leanne took a slip there as Shawn needed to be away on business for a few days. We tied up a few slips away from them shortly after 1200. In the afternoon, Jorge caught a soccer match on t.v. while I walked to the grocery store. Afterwards we met up with Shawn and Leanne (and Daeyten) for happy hour and appetizers at the marina bar, then back to their boat for more happy hours.

Party boat on ICW from marina bar, Myrtle Beach.

April 22, 2015

Shawn left early for his business trip so Leanne and Daeyten joined Jorge and I for a trip to Myrtle Beach proper. The marina provided free transportation to and from the beach. We walked along the boardwalk sightseeing before walking back along the beach. We stopped for lunch at a beach side restaurant and then called the marina for a ride back to the boat. Jorge caught another soccer match on t.v. and I prepared supper, we were having Leanne and Daeyten over to have an early celebration of Daeyten's upcoming birthday.

L - R: Kim, Daeyten, Leanne in Myrtle Beach.

The boardwalk in Myrtle Beach.

Myrtle Beach.

She was sooo adorable!

April 23, 2015

We left the marina at 1250, travelling just 15 miles to anchor in Calabash Creek, right on the border of S.C and N.C., a very calm anchorage. I must say, most of our anchorages in the states have been very quiet and peaceful.

Lighthouse (non-working for decoration only) along ICW.

April 13, 2015

We did indeed move to the Herb River this morning, anchoring just before noon. After lunch we dinghied to Bahia Bleu Marina where we tied up the dinghy and walked to the bus stop, catching the bus into downtown Savannah.

April 14, 2015

After breakfast, I packed a picnic lunch and we were off to Savannah again, retracing yesterday's steps via the marina and the bus for more sightseeing.

A taste of historic Savannah . . .

City Hall.

 

The Cotton Exchange.

Customs House.

Leading to River Street.

River Street.

 

City Hall Landing on the Savannah River.

 

Parks and monuments galore . . .

 

 

 

That's one big live oak!

 

Old police car outside the Savannah Police Department.

Typical tomb of the wealthy in Colonial Park Cemetary. 

Roman Catholic cathedral.

Inside the cathedral.

 

Many mansions now converted to businesses.

The community sign outside Savannah where we anchored and dinghied ashore.

 

 

 

April 15, 2015

 

We were up early and left the anchorage at 0700, on our way to Beaufort, S.C. The day was warm and sunny. We had an uneventful trip, very little wind until we got to Port Royal Sound where we were able to motor sail. The current was also with us at this point giving us SOG of 7 to 7.3 kts. I just love it when the current is in our favour lol! We arrived at the Downtown Marina in Beaufort at 1500. We got fuel and water before heading to the anchorage just outside the marina's mooring field when the skies opened up. It rained and rained and rained the rest of the evening and all night. 

 

April 16, 2015

 

It was still cloudy this morning and cool. I actually had to dig out the tootsie warmers (aka slippers)! We had another "head issue" which Jorge started to work on in the morning. As he needed to make a trip to the hardware store, we had lunch and then went into town. Actually, he went to town. I went to the marina and did laundry. We were back to the boat by mid afternoon. Head issue fixed and laundry put away.

 

Maybe moving towards Charleston tomorrow, depending on the weather.