My run across Albemarle Sound took more out of me than I expected. I laid down for a rest after dinner and was out all night. Woke at 3:30am after a full 8hr rest. Might as well get an early start. The early riser often has the benefit of light wind and sea conditions. So up anchor for a run up the Alligator river. No alligator sightings here. They don't show up till were nearly to South Carolina. But I did see my first dolphin this morning. Winds are light and the water is a mirror so it's the iron wind that pushes us on. We make the turn around Newport News Pt and and find a nice anchorage off Tuchahoe Pt. looking up the length of the Alligator/Pungo River canal. Latter that evening two other boats will stop to share my anchorage. At sunset, one of the boats sounds a conch shell as a tribute to the end of the day, a tradition common in the islands. Tomorrow I'll run the length of the canal. the strong South wind that is expected won't affect Otter there. Should be a nice run.