Thursday, May 21, 2009

Well the anchor was very well set in something akin to cement so we didn't snag anything. It was just a very tenacious holding substrate! It had me worried as we brought the anchor chain in. The bow would keep dipping down as the chain tightened each time, but the anchor came up! The Alligator Bridge was starting to feel too much like home. Side note here before I forget to mention it - this is the bridge that took out the Cats Cradle's mast last fall by closing on it. New operator (the old one quit right after that), same bridge. I'm just glad the makeshift anchorage turned out to be a good one and gave us solid holding ground. I made some tuna salad sandwiches for lunch and was listening to the engine while in the galley. It sounds nice and strong, so the air & fuel filter change seems to have helped. The only problem we had was at start-up but Wayne figured it was just an air bubble left in the fuel line. It feels good to be on the move again.

The Albemarle Sound crossing was pretty smooth. I'm glad we waited to cross after giving it a day to calm down. Waves are 1-2 feet and winds light. Took more pictures of the osprey nests built in the ICW markers along our path. The birds are much busier this time through, tending their nests and hatchlings. They keep a wary eye on us as we pass. One started screeching at us as we came to close to the marker and I wondered if I was going to have to duck - but he/she stayed with the nest.

It was a short travel day today, 25.7 miles, and we dropped anchor at 2pm off Buck Island between green markers 153 and 151. An osprey kept an eye on us while we anchored in 6-7 ft of water. We're anchored pretty close to the channel on the ICW where it turns so you'd think that the boats passing by would have to slow down to make the turn. Not so... A large fishing/mega yacht came roaring around the turn and sent things below, flying... I hate hate hate when that happens. Jerk...

A Cat/Schooner pulled in, and around us close to 4:30pm and then a large Ketch (Vagrant Gipsy) from New Orleans came in shortly after that. The ketch was a beauty and Wayne yelled across at them "Wanna trade?" Hope it didn't hurt Brie's feelings LOL. It really was pretty though. It was an older boat with wood masts and a dolphin bowsprit that was beautifully maintained.

It was a nice quiet evening and no other boats came along. I made pork tenderloin and apple sauce for dinner. Then polished off another book - "One false move" by Harlan Coben. This one had me going to the end - I can usually figure out the endings but not this time. I may have found a new author. I can't believe the number of books we've gone through on this trip. So much trash pulp - it's amazing. I've gone from reading nothing but educational stuff to recreational stuff. I'm liking it - light reading for enjoyment and entertainment...