After doing a couple of loads of laundry we headed across the inlet to Deaton’s . It was about 9:30. By 1 pm the macerator pump had been replaced. We were impressed with the service. The staff was friendly and they matched the work with the appropriate technician, so we ended up paying a reasonable hourly charge. Replacing a pump doesn't require a licensed mechanic at $95 per hour. The technician charged out at $66 and it took just a bit more than one hour so we were happy with the entire experience.
While the repairs were underway Rusty took Gigi to the local vet to have a small lump over her forehead checked out. The vet surmised that is was protein from the remains of a tick we pulled out a few weeks ago.
We purchased West Marine go-anywhere chairs for the helm seating. We'll see if it will be easier on our backs.
About 1:30 we cruised for about 90 minutes to an anchorage on Adams Creek. Another boat "Anywhere" joined us. They are from Texas and have a relaxed laissez-faire approach to cruising. Where we take one day to get from point A to B, they take one week exploring the nooks and crannies along the way. We could learn something from them, I think.
Tuesday, May 17
We travelled a little more than six hours on some long stretches of open water. The water got choppy in the afternoon and we were happy to see Belhaven, NC, at least until we got inside the inlet. There was a single sailboat anchored and it was bopping up and down like a yo-yo. Not for us. The piers at the local marina looked decrepit and so we high-tailed it out and around the corner to Pungo Creek. It turned out to be a wonderful place to anchor.
Wednesday, May 18
It was an easy and pleasant run to the Little Alligator River where we anchored. Tomorrow we would cross the Albemarle Sound and wanted to do it first thing in the morning when the weather tended to be calmer. Four other boats joined us at the anchorage. It turned out that all four boats were single-handed and one of them was a Monk36.
Thursday, May 19
We pulled up the anchor at 6:30 am, and spent the next six hours dodging crab pots in 10 mph winds in the Albemarle Sound. It was impossible to turn on the autopilot. We arrived at Elizabeth City, NC and were given a place on the bulkhead at their city docks. Elizabeth City is known for its hospitality to boaters, providing 48 hr. free dockage, a wine and cheese reception, and a rose for each of the ladies.
Friday, May 20
Rusty had a yen for pancakes and off he went early morning to find some at a local restaurant, giving me a chance to sleep in. Glorious. Rusty then did some maintenance on the boat and I went to the Albemarle Museum. Great place to get a sense of the history of the area. It was well put together and the exhibits are in great condition.
Saturday, May 21
We were going to stay for the local potato festival but began to feel antsy so we headed up the Great Dismal Swamp Canal. It was beautiful. We stopped at the Welcome Center, another free dockage. There is a state park with trails. It is worth staying an extra day to relax and take it all in.
Sunday, May 22
It was a day of waiting. We missed the Dismal Swamp Lock by 15 min. and had to wait for 1.75 hr. for the next opening. We spent it having a nice lunch. and doing shore duties with Gigi. Then as we approached Norfolk, VA, one of the railroad bridges was down for maintenance and it took almost 2 hr. before we could get through. When we pulled up the anchor we noticed the roller had broken. After docking at Waterside Marina, we enjoyed spending some time with Rusty’s cousins who live in Norfolk.
Monday, May 23
We moved over to Ocean Marine Yacht Center, Portsmouth, VA, across the river from Waterside. Very friendly folks. Portsmouth is a jewel and we will have to return. We discovered two free dockage areas at the ferry landings so that will be something to note for our return visit. Our anchor roller will be repaired tomorrow. There is a NY style deli within walking distance of the marina.
Tuesday, May 24
The anchor roller was fixed while we had a breakfast of bagels, lox and cream cheese. Yummy bagels. The repair cost $137 and truthfully it was not a particular good job. It is still bent and there is too much play in the bottom roller.
We left late morning and headed towards Fort Monroe, about 1.5 hours away. The trip was interesting as it was the first time we were in some heavy duty commercial channels. Traffic was light and we kept out of the way.
Fort Monroe is an Army post with an interesting history and museum located on the island. We had been told about a good anchorage outside the marina at the Fort. No one else was there and as we made arrangements to anchor there, we decided instead to dock at the marina.
I shudder to think what would have happened if we had not made that decision.
After settling in, we left Gigi on board and walked over to the museum, spending about an hour looking at the exhibits and getting a better idea of the history of the Fort. One interesting fact is that during the civil war, three runaway slaves were captured and the Union general would not release them to their owners declaring them to be “contraband of war”, and then giving them their freedom. Word got out and many more slaves found their way to Fort Monroe with the same end result.
As we exited the museum, we noticed dark looking clouds. We split up with Rusty getting some stuff done on base and I headed back to the boat. The wind picked up and just as I got to the end of the dock, it started to pour and I noticed some of our canvas was whipping about. Gigi was relieved to see me and we spend the next 30 min. holding each other while the winds got stronger. The water was pouring over the break wall and it was dark outside although it was only 4 pm.
During a lull I managed to put two more lines on the bow and stern and to close up the fly bridge enclosure, and fasten the extra line from the mast to the fly bridge. Then the winds came again just howling away.
Rusty in the meantime had found his way to shelter and was given a ride back to the boat when the storm passed. I think he felt badly that he wasn’t there.
Our boat came through with no damage. As we were assessing things, a sailboat limped in with the assistance of the coast guard. It had lost its engine, bimini, and jib sail. We learned later that some boats in the area had capsized.
The storm came up so quickly. We would have had serious damage to the boat and ourselves if we had anchored out.
About 11 pm we woke up to the sounds of another storm passing and were so grateful that we were safe and secure.
I can’t say I respect Mother Nature anymore. After today, I fear her.
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