10/30/18
We left Pelican marina at 7:45 a.m. It was a beautiful clear sunny morning. The winds were NNW at 7 and the waves were 1-2 ft. The temperature was 61* at 11 a.m. This was our eighth crossing of the Albemarle Sound and it was the best ever! The winds were too light and in the wrong direction to be able to sail, but it was very calm and for that we were grateful. The conditions have been rough when we've been through before. There were still plenty of crab pots to watch out for. The season does not end until December 6. Don and Judy invited us and S/V Bohemian to raft up with them for dinner and overnight. We reached our anchorage on the Alligator River and Don set his anchor at 3:40 p.m. We rafted on Nemo's port side and Bohemian on Nemo's starboard. We have been traveling with Bohemian since the Dismal Swamp. Mark and Tonya (and their two dogs) are from Georgia and just bought their Gulfstar in Annapolis where they lived aboard several months getting her ready to travel. They are also headed to the Bahamas. We all enjoyed cocktails in Nemo's cockpit and then moved below for dinner. Judy had made pasta with her yummy slow cooked meat sauce. I made a salad and brownies for dessert. We got a glimpse of the sunset through the port holes as we played Mexican train. There were military jets practicing low flying maneuvers overhead until 8p.m. Then we had total silence for a peaceful night at anchor.
10/31
Don and Judy helped Bohemian and then us, untie from their boat and we were underway at 8 a.m. It was another beautiful, clear and sunny (68*)day. This would be a short day to Dowry Creek marina in Belhaven, N.C. We were traveling with a lot of boats today. Bohemian decided to continue on as we left the ICW and pulled into the fuel dock at 1:30 p.m. after both boats fueled up and pumped out we moved to our slips. The marina had a lot of damage in the last two storms. They are replacing docks and renovating the facility. It will be very nice when completed. I took advantage of the free laundry and did a load in the afternoon. We met up with Don and Judy in the Captain's lounge to watch a little t.v. Judy made "apple pie in a jar" and we made coffee to go with it. The lounge is beautiful with a kitchen, big screen t.v. and a fireplace. We made ourselves right at home and It was very comfortable.
11/1
Bay Breezin' and Nemo both have some issues to resolve while we are here. Our oil pressure gauge is not working and Don's auto pilot is not working. We took the marina's loaner car into town for breakfast at the Gingerbread bakery. They are famous for their cheese biscuits. Yum! We found a Yanmar dealer where we ordered a part for Bay Breezin'. Don was able to order a new auto pilot online. They will both be delivered tomorrow. It is warm here today, almost 70*. Judy and I took a walk by the houses along the waterfront in Belhaven. We stopped to say "hello" to a woman in a rocking chair on her front porch. She shared with us that she is 93 and her secret to a long life is starting every day soaking up a little sunshine. Later in the afternoon, we sat by the pool for a while. Carl treated us to ice cream and then we played a game of Yahtzee. We will be here a few more days.