Our first day was a great success! We departed Northwest Creek Marina with no issues or fanfare just after 8:00 this morning and made it to our first stopping point on the Bay River (North Carolina) right around 2:30 pm. We are currently anchored here for the night, at a depth of 16 ft. We just finished what I feel were very well-deserved grilled cheeseburgers and are now settling in for an evening of relaxation and decompression. I sense a celebratory cigar in Charro’s future.

The weather today could not have been more perfect. When we left Fairfield Harbor this morning it was 51 degrees and sunny, and now here on the Bay River this afternoon, it is sunny and 66. I spent the majority of the journey in jeans, a fleece jacket, and a hat. Charro (of course) was comfortable in shorts and a tee shirt.

Water conditions were very good the entire distance. I am still learning about wave action, but I would say there was just a light chop. We motored at a speed of about 6 knots the entire way, and we even put the sails up for an hour or so early on.

Once we got close to the Pamlico Sound, we fell in line with three other boats headed the same direction. The each kept on toward Hobucken, while we chose to anchor. There is currently one other vessel at anchor nearby.

Right now, winds are currently coming straight out of the south at 5-10 kt. The forecast for the nearby Pamlico Sound calls for S winds 10-15 kt tonight, becoming 15-20 kt with 25 kt gusts. We are in theory more protected here in the Bay River, however, so hopefully it won’t get too rolly. A little bit rolly is all right by me. Good for sleeping.

Overall the dogs did pretty well. Laurie is a complete nut job when he’s on the boat and gets extremely anxious. He requires a lot of close contact and reassurance. I really hope this voyage will help him develop his sea legs. Ruby slept for most of the trip and she even used her grass potty mat once! I’m sure we’ll face some resistance to using it this evening, as they are going to expect to be able to get off the boat. Here’s hoping they become more accepting of their current situation.

Wednesdays Goal: 28.2 nautical miles

Tomorrow morning we will depart from where we are currently anchored on the Bay River. We will travel north up Gale Creek, past Hobucken, NC to the Pamlico River and then into the mouth of the Pungo River. The plan is to anchor in the west entrance to the Alligator River Canal.

Here’s to an (hopefully) uneventful night!

Fair winds,

Wendy