All phases of our big boat moving journey our now complete. Time to breathe. 🙂
It has been a busy couple of days since our return to Virginia. One day post arrival, we turned right around to head back to New Bern to retrieve my car from Northwest Creek Marina. We all quite literally piled into Charro’s two-seater convertible for the first leg of the nearly nine hour round-trip drive.
I-664 over the Chesapeake Bay. A much different experience by car vs. boat!
On our way south, we stopped at the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center to purchase our commemorative tees and hats and snap a couple of photos of the water. Hard to believe we had just motored through the area two days prior.
Boats tied up for the night at the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center
Yesterday, there was little rest for the weary. Charro hopped into town to run some errands, and I spent a few hours deep cleaning our boat’s very dirty interior. It sure felt good to put our girl back to rights!
Today, finally, we begin a nice three day stretch of down time before we head back to Roanoke on Sunday. We have no plans to take the boat out at all. We are just going to chill out in our new slip and enjoy the quiet and the view.
When I reflect on all that we accomplished on our week long voyage, I continue to feel so proud. There were so many “firsts”.
Provisioning for the possibility of being on the water for a straight week
Traversing large bodies of water in unfavorable conditions
Overnighting at anchor
Using the VHF radio to hail other boaters and bridge and lock tenders
Locking
Following nautical charts
Docking for the night at a marina other than our own-and in high winds!
Getting the pups through the stress of having to potty on a boat
As many of you know, we have not been sailors for very long. It was only two years ago that we decided to pursue this dream. We were each approaching the big 5-0 and came to realize that life was moving fast. If we didn’t take the leap then, we never would. And so, here we are. Already on our second sailboat, having a blast, and learning more every single day. I can’t wait to see where our next big adventure will take us.
This morning we shoved off the marina dock at 7:30. Winds were still up, but much calmer than yesterday.
Morning at the marina
We had one little snag as we were departing, and I am still replaying the potential horror of it in my mind. We had our bow line wrapped too many times around the piling at the dock, and when I let go of the bitter end (the end of the rope) to pull it onboard and release us for departure, it resisted sliding off. Charro already had us in gear at that point, moving us forward. Thank God that thing unraveled at the last minute. There was a large yacht docked in front of us. Had the line not let go, our stern would have swung around and we would have hit their boat. I truly believe you learn the most through mistakes. That is one I do not intend for us to make again!
From the marina to the end of the Alligator River, it was a quick three miles or so, and then we entered into the Albemarle Sound. Winds today were blowing 10-15 knots with waves at 2 ft. About half way across the 11 mile run, it got very rolly. The waves were hitting us on the beam, which rolled us a fair amount from side to side. Maybe my perspective has changed since the second day of our journey, but it didn’t unnerve me nearly as much as the day we crossed the Pamlico and Pungo Rivers. We managed between 6-7 knots of speed and made it across the Sound in about 2 hrs. (I forgot to jot down the exact time).
Crossing the Albemarle Sound
On the Albemarle Sound
From the Albemarle Sound, we entered into the Pasquotank River. By that point the wind was on our stern, which helped push us along and minimized the boat’s motion.
Roughly two hours later, we arrived in Elizabeth City, where almost immediately, we came to the Elizabeth City Bridge (a drawbridge). We hailed the bridge tender for an opening. There was one boat in front of us and the tender was waiting on a third to arrive behind us. So for maybe ten minutes or so, we circled and held until we received the all-clear to motor through. I couldn’t help but sing the chorus, “When you get caught between the moon and New York City” while we waited.
Arriving in Elizabeth City, NC
Getting ready to approach the Elizabeth City Bridge
There was one more bridge to cross before we arrived at our spot for the night – the Norfolk Southern Railroad Swing Bridge. It usually remains open, and today it was. Although you really couldn’t tell if it was open or not until you were practically at the darn gate! Regardless, I had my air horn ready to sound the signal request if needed.
Norfolk Southern Railroad Swing Bridge
Pasquotank River
A short ride later (around 1:15), we arrived at our chosen anchorage. The entirety of our journey today was just shy of 6 hrs. Hard to believe, but in total, we have already traversed 137 nautical miles! That means we are past the halfway point with 98 left to go! Barring unforeseen weather or circumstances, we should arrive at our home marina in Topping, VA on Tuesday.
We are currently stopped for the night in a truly beautiful, scenic, peaceful spot on the Pasquotank River, just outside of the ICW next to Goat Island. This is my absolute favorite spot so far! Since we arrived, we have seen three fisherman in johnboats and only two other ICW travelers. We are hopeful that the lack of transiters means we won’t have much competition to tie up at the free dock tomorrow.
At anchor on the Pasquotank River
At anchor on the Pasquotank River
We appreciate all who are keeping up with our journey. Thank you for following along!
Sunday’s Goal: 29 nautical miles
Our plan for tomorrow is to depart super duper early (6:00 ish) to take advantage of the first lock opening time of 8:30 am (South Mills Lock). After locking, we will cross through South Mills Bridge and then make the 4 hour journey through the scenic Dismal Swamp Canal. Our plan is to tie up at the bulkhead at the end of the canal, just before Deep Creek Lock.
The butterflies have truly set in. Until now, our upcoming journey has been all planning, preparation, and talk. But with less than 24 hrs. till departure, stuff’s getting real! We’ve made our lists and checked them twice. Now it’s time to find out if the voyage will be naughty or nice.
In case you are not familiar with the Intracoastal Waterway (or what in the world we are getting ready to do), the ICW is a “3,000-mile (4,800 km) inland waterway along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts of the United States, running from Massachusetts southward along the Atlantic Seaboard and around the southern tip of Florida, then following the Gulf Coast to Brownsville, Texas. Some sections of the waterway consist of natural inlets, saltwater rivers, bays, and sounds, while others are artificial canals. It provides a navigable route along its length without many of the hazards of travel on the open sea.” (Wikipedia) In short, it’s a way for boaters to travel up and down the East Coast without having to risk their lives on the Atlantic Ocean. We are thankful for that!
Currently, our boat is docked at Northwest Creek Marina in Fairfield Harbor, NC (New Bern). Though we have thoroughly enjoyed the time we have spent here the last five months, it is now time to take our girl north to our home marina – Regent Point – in Topping, VA. Our total journey, marina to marina, is 235 nautical miles.
When traversing the ICW, there are two options. For reference, if traveling south, this “fork in the road” appears around the I64 bridge in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. One of the routes is called the ‘Virginia Cut’. It is a deeper water route, so basically it’s faster and the one that all of the commercial traffic uses. Think of it like an interstate for boats. The other is called the ‘Dismal Swamp’ route. It’s akin to the Blue Ridge Parkway or Route 66. A lot quieter, slower, and very scenic. The downside is that you must have a very shallow draft (5 feet or less) and it will likely be buggier. Let’s just say that I have cornered the market on bug spray! If traveling south, the two routes converge again in the Albemarle Sound.
So, what does preparation for our 5+ day journey look like? Well, our boat’s water tank capacity is 100 gallons, which means that Charro and I will each be able to take our (FAST) morning and evening showers. We will also be able to flush the toilet with fresh water as opposed to seawater (when we flush using seawater, the boat’s holding tank fills up faster). We are planning to use all disposable plates and cutlery, as washing dishes is a water suck. We will cook all of our meals on the grill or in the oven by wrapping our food in aluminum foil. The goal is to not have to use any dishes, pots, or pans that require washing. We plan to eat well, though, even with the restrictions! Hamburgers, hot dogs, steak, pork chops, fajitas, loaded baked potatoes, fruits, and vegetables are all on the menu. I have also stocked us up with an ample supply of peanut M&M’s to boost morale!
Just in case, we are also carrying four extra jugs of water that in total, hold 21.2 gallons, plus 4 jugs of distilled water and 24-16 oz. bottles. I think we should be fine, even if we never stop at a marina to top up our tanks along the way.
Our boat holds 40 gallons of diesel, plus we are carrying an extra 10 gallons. Charro says we use around .6 gallons per hour, so it’s likely we won’t even have to top up with the reserve.
Right now the weather looks absolutely wonderful! We do have a generator, however. Just in case temps soar, we will be able to run the AC for a few hours at night as needed.
I think one of our greatest challenges is going to be getting Laurie and Ruby to potty on their grass mat. We have practiced at home, but for some reason, they stubbornly refuse to use it on the boat. It becomes a battle of wills, and I’m ashamed to say that sometimes they win and we just go to the yard. Once we are at anchor, though, they aren’t really going to have a choice! Heaven help us with that one.
Today is going to be a full day as we finish off our checklist. I need to make a last grocery store run for produce and dairy and I will need to wash laundry. Charro has to fill the two reserve diesel tanks and the boat needs a wash. Today is also pump-out day, so our holding tank will be nice and empty. And Monte the diver might be coming by to clean the boat’s hull (hope he doesn’t forget). Oh, and it’s my birthday!
Tuesday’s Goal: 35.9 nautical miles
The plan for tomorrow is to leave early in the morning (going to shoot for 6 or 7 am). We will depart from Northwest Creek Marina and travel the Neuse River to our Waypoint #1 where we will anchor in the mouth of the Bay River.
If I have cell phone signal, my plan is to write another update tomorrow evening.
Wendy on the Water 