Really, our adventure began well before tossing the dock lines when we fit 4 adults not to mention a weeks worth of food and supplies into a wee lil 2-door hatchback. Many thanks to Laura for shuttling us to Solomon's Island and for joining in our silly antics. A note about all things "Super" in the DC metro and surrounding areas: these Big Box" stores just aren't as large or well stocked as they are in other parts of the country or the southeast.
Adventure 1 began when the freshwater faucet in the boat would not function. After disassembly it was discovered that the plunger had unscrewed inside the pump. A trip to West Marine to get some cleaner hose and we were back in business.
Day 1:
We were slightly disappointed in light airs Sunday morning when we got into the Chesapeake which turned into 15-25 kts on the nose for a rough afternoon. After a day of cruising we pulled into Antipoison Creek just north of the Rappahannock and dropped the hook in 8-10' of water. The anchorage was well protected and there was little boat traffic. The main nuisance was the racket made by some sort of animals (sounded like a conglomeration of geese, hogs and monkeys running amuck) in the woods on our lee shore.
Day 2:
Conditions remained much the same and the seas had built slightly. We sailed down an across the bay before tacking back towards Norfolk and motoring into the everlasting headwinds. We were over taken by a number of freighters when we entered the harbor and kept an eye on a squall that appeared to be squeezing around us to the north.
I couldn't have been more wrong! The squall was pushing south and we battened down the hatches and had quite the rough ride. Typically, in these conditions, with plenty of sea room, you can ride the storm an be generally okay. However, when in the confines on Norfolk harbor and visibility is reduced and the rollers begin developing etc etc, care has to be taken. Mischief and crew performed well, and although we felt like soaked bilge rats by the time we tied up at Riverfront Marina, we were happy to have done as well as we did.
Day 3:
From Norfolk we steamed to Elizabeth City by way of the Dismal Swamp. This time of the year, especially with the current heat, the Dismal lives up to its name. That being said, some of the most pristine scenery is offered through this way. Elizabeth City has free public slips to tie up to, and wouldn't you know, the locals were showing a Cary Grant movie in the park next to Mischief. Dinner and a show!
Day 4:
A long day that began at 4 AM and ha us to our next stop along the intracoastal, Belhaven. This is one of those charming towns that during its day was quite the destination. When the interstates came through and the i main channel of the intracoastal was diverted, Belhaven was left behind and still has that early century charm. Belhaven Waterway Marina was a great place to pull up to, and the owners provided quite the musical show. They practice Wednesday evenings but quit when the skeeters come out or the sun goes down.
Day 5:
We were up an at'em early again. Out just before day break. Our route took us all the way to Beaufort, NC where we had originally planned to hold up and then continue on the outside. As with many things nautical, plans are well made but soon become obsolete. With the winds still holding southerly and around 20 kts, we decided to continue south in the waterway as we couldn't afford a delay. One of the crew needed to make a Saturday morning flight from Wilmington. We had planned to drop the hook but took a T head at Dudley's Marina in Swansboro. For $0.79 a foot it was definitely a good deal! Not to mention they have a deal where they'll drop you at Riverview Steak and Fish House and the restaurant will bring you back to the marina. Best steaks and most tender scallops I've had in a very long time! Note: they're only open for dinner.
Day 6:
Our goal this leg was to make Wilmington. Come hell or high water. Unfortunately high water was something we didn't have. After passing through Camp Lejune with its ominous sign, "Live Firing In Process, Waterway Closed When Flashing." no worries, Fellsmere's flagship naval vessel made it without having to coax any patrols with rum cocktails.
After passing through a few miles of military training grounds riddled relics of conflicts passed we nearly got run down by a fishing trawler. After letting him overtake me, he was kind enough to guide me through the sever showing in the area and blow out a spot for me to pass. Unfortunately, and to my sever embarrassment for such a silly mistake, I had diverted up the New River towards Jacksonville (NC) when trying to not be squashed by aforementioned fishing trawler. It cleared up the question of why the 65' bridge I was headed under didn't appear on my chart when a fisherman (in a much smaller boat) motored up and asked where I was headed. After replying "Florida" he said, "Yeah, this is New River and that way is Jacksonville." This further confused me because Jacksonville is in Florida. After clarification that I was indeed headed to Jacksonville, NC, the kind gentleman assured me that it happens all the time.
We immediately reversed course and backtracked. Unfortunately there wasn't a large fishing vessel to guide me over the shoals again so I tried tracking back the same was I came across, in a 3.5 kt outbound current. Needless to say we bumped bottom and then grounded. The current would only push us further when I'd maneuver us around to a point where normally you could work free. A couple soon came motoring by having seen this happen and offered assistance. I rigged a halyard line and gave it to the doubting motorboaters and instructed them to easily pull me over. Voila! We were free! We soon got over this shoal and just before entering back into the intracoastal heard other sailors headed through the area getting readings of 4 and 4.1 ft, yikes! Mischief draws 4.5 ft. We took our time at 2 kts and eased our way through, reading depths and bumping bottom twice. My guides indicate that this part of the intracoastal is very prone to severe and shifting shoaling. Agreed.
We made Wilmington a little later than originally anticipated but were able to get the last dock space as it is considered to be 4th of July weekend... Aka, lots of idiots on the waterway.
Visited family, had a good meal, did some laundry and had a night on terra firma.
Day 7
We left Wrightsville Beach and pushed the short trek down to Cape Fear and anchored in the pipeline canal of the intracoastal. I had to replace a faulty bilge pump today and adjust a few other things before we leave for the 30 hr offshore passage to Charleston where I will switch crew and my mom won't ever sail with me again! Just kidding, she's been having a great time and is become quite the sailor. She has definitely kept us fed quite well. Thanks mom!
Next post to come from Charleston SC. Unfortunately cell reception was nonexistent through most of North Carolina which delayed my posts. Also, kind of disappointed that I can't get this tracking feature to work correctly, sorry folks! Will fix it right for my next big adventure :-)
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