Voyage 2012: Chapter 1

10 Oct 2012, Chilling in EC, 36 18 N/ 076 12.72 W

The rain disappeared and was replaced by near gale conditions. NOAA had been predicting gale conditions and they were spot-on. Based on their predictions, we extended our stay at the Pelican. We walked to Sidney's with Earl (guy on the right in picture) yesterday for a fine breakfast. Earle updated us with all of the local gossip around town and the marina. When we saw Josh (the marina manager and the guy in the middle), he welcomed us back to the Pelican and gave us the news that his wife, Lorelei (young lady to the left), has been commissioned in the Navy as Lieutenant JG and will be stationed in Italy. Sadly, they will be leaving in December so we will not see them for a while. Not sure who the new manager will be.

11 Oct 2012, Visiting RE Mayo, 35 15 N/ 076 35.46 W

Sadly, we left the Pelican at daybreak We had already said our goodbyes to everybody and we had a ways to go. We were pleased that there were not many crab pot floats in the Pasquatank River nor in the Albermarle. Weather was great for motor sailing. Actually, it would be good for sailing except we had a long way to go. We anchored in headwaters of the Alligator River dealing with a jerk of bridge tender at the AR bridge. Second time this year. It is a shame as the old tender was one of the most helpful on the ICW.

Today, we weighed anchor at AR's Deep Point and motorsailed towards Hobucken. The Pungo Canal was pleasant and uneventful as was the Pungo River. Even the Pamlico River was uneventful. As we entered the Hobucken Cut, we could see lots of commercial fishing vessels on the docks of R.E. Mayo. Wow, first time in a long time. As we approached the docks, we detected 0.5 kts of current with us, so we made a 'U' turn and found one small place to tie up among all of these big guys. It is good to see this place being revitalized.