Wrightsville Beach, NC to Southport, NC

Sunday October 30, 2011  Day-49
Departed Wrightsville Beach at 9:00AM and arrived in Southport at 1:00PM
Today's miles 30  Total miles- 891

We left under clear skies. It was a cool 45 degrees but sunny and light winds. It was a short run today but Southport is a good stop to get to Myrtle Beach in one day which we are going to do tomorrow.'

YOU CAN CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO MAKE IT LARGER

This is the intracoastal waterway from the bridge we went over to go to the store. Our marina is on the left in the picture.

The intracoastal was quiet today.

This house seem a bit out of place compared to all the other houses.

This is the Carolina Beach inlet which connects the ocean. There were many vehicles on the barrier island between the intracoastal and the ocean. You can click on any photo to make them larger.

A ferry was crossing to Bald Head Island across the Cape Fear River.

Tonight's sunset was beautiful over the intracoastal waterway.

Swansboro, NC to Wrightsville Beach, NC

Friday October 28, 2011  Day- 46
Departed Swansboro at 7:30AM and arrived at Wrightsville beach at 3:00PM. There were a few bridges we had to wait to open for us today. It was cloudy and cool with strong winds of 15-25 knots. It was in the low 60's and the wind was coming into the fly bridge from the back. We are staying at the Wrightsville Beach Marina which while expensive at $100 per night, is very nice. Carole got the laundry done and we walked around a bit. We decided to stay here another night and relax with heat on, cable TV to get the stations our satellite doesn't (local stations) and do a little sight seeing with high winds. At least there will be no snow here!!

Just after we got underway, we went past Camp Lejeune, NC. They are going to be closing the canal on Monday for live firing for a period of time but there was none while we went by.

A guard tower along the canal.

They were dredging part of the channel.

Another house that would look good in Key West!

I didn't want to be cold with the strong wind coming from our backs.

Our dock mate this morning.

Our dock at Wrightsville Beach Marina.

Oriental, NC to Swansboro, NC

Thursday, October 27, 2011  Day- 46
Departed Oriental at 7:30AM and arrived at Swansboro at 2:30PM.
Today's miles 50 and total miles are 806.

It was a very windy day today with winds at 15-20 knots and gusts to 25. The Neuse River had waves of 3-4 feet and the waves were breaking over the bow of the boat. We were dry up in the fly bridge.
As we were approached Swansboro, we were hailed by the Coast Guard and the Irish Rover had a safety inspection. The Coast Guard boat comes up and dropped off 2-officers who conducted the inspection as the CG boat shadowed our track. They were very professional and checked everything from fire extinguishers, boat documentation, out personal identification etc. It took about about 20 minutes and the Irish Rover passed with "0" violations. We have a report which should mean if we are hailed again in the next 6-months, they will let us pass. I didn't take any pictures of them since I didn't think it would be a good idea of pointing a camera at men with guns!

There were a lot of interesting houses along the canals.

There are a lot of fishing boats around here.

This house would be better off in Key West!

This was an interesting house, the whole yard is sand so there is no maintenance. Did look a bit strange!

Irish Rover tied up at Casper's Marina. The winds are too strong to anchor tonight.

No sunset pics tonight, we were in the Irish Pub. Not a bad excuse if you ask me!!

Belhaven, NC to Oriental, NC

Wednesday October 26, 2011  Day-45
We departed Belhaven at 7:30AM and arrived at Oriental at 1:30PM
Today's miles 50  Total miles 756.

The weather was great for the trip and the Neuse River was choppy but a comfortable ride. We saw our 1st dolphins today swimming along the boat. Carole tried to get a picture of them but was not real successful. Oriental is a great little town and we walked around to the shops and galleries. We went back to the boat which was anchored in Green's Creek which was a quiet anchorage. Today is our 38th anniversary and we were going to eat out but decided we wanted dinner on the Rover.
A great rib Eye steak and a good bottle of Sterling Meritage which was great.

As we left Belhaven, our friends Curt & Nancy Kruger passed in their trawler that was made using a lobster boat hulls. They are amazing people going down the coast to their home in Florida for the 13th time.

There were interesting boats along the way.

Downtown Oriental

Another nice sunset.

Carole preparing our anniversary dinner. I was cooking the steak on the grill outside.

Leaving Oriental with the sun rise.

Tuckahoe Point, NC to Belhaven, NC

Tuesday October 25, 2011  Day-44
Departed Tuckahoe Point at 8:AM and arrived at Dowry Creek Marina- Belhaven, NC at 12:00PM
Today's miles- 38.5  Total miles- 706.

We went through the Alligator-Pungo Canal which is 25-miles of a straight cut through wilderness.
It was a short run today. Tuckahoe point was a beautiful anchorage.

It doesn't get any straighter than this!

The canal is very calm. Carole saw a river otter floating on his back.

Every night at Dowry Creek there is a cocktail party of cruisers with everyone bringing food. We had a great time.

At the dock. Irish Rover is the 2nd boat up on the left.

Sunrise before casting off for the day.

Coinjock, NC to Tuckahoe Point, NC.

Monday October 24, 2011   Day-43
Departed Coinjock at 8:00AM and arrived at Tuckahoe Point, NC at 3:00PM.
Today's miles-  50   Total miles-  667.5

We left Coinjock and entered the Albemarle Sound and the wind began to pick up and we had following seas for the next 25 miles which is not a fun point to cruise in. You need to continue to correct the direction the boat wants to go. At least with the new steering, it was easier than it used to be.
We entered the Alligator River and anchored in Tuckahoe Point with about 10-other boats.

Leaving Coinjock and the Virgina Cut.

There was a Coast Guard search and rescue plane doing a grid pattern search around us in the Albemarle Sound.

We were anchored with several other boats for the evening. We are all going South and you bump into many of the several times a week. There are a lot of boats from Canada.

We enjoyed a glass of wine as we were cooking dinner at our anchorage. The sunset was fantastic!

This was the sunset. After dinner, the sky was completely black with no moon and the stars were unbelievable and the milky way stood out like paint thrown on a canvas. I wish I had a night camera to pick the up. Trust me, it was fantastic!

 

Chesapeake, VA to Coinjock, NC

Sunday October 23, 2011  Day- 42
Departed 8:00AM from Chesapeake and arrived at Coinjock at 1:00PM.
Today's miles-  38   Total miles-  617.5

We left Chesapeake VA under good weather and fair seas. Not much to see in the Virgina cut. We went into the Currituck Sound and further into the North Carolina cut which is where Coinjock is.
We had a great dinner at the Coinjock Marina with live music in the bar.

We were leaving the dock at the Atlantic Yacht Basin under quiet conditions.

 As we were leaving, there was a early morning fog coming off of the river.

We had 6-Navy Seal inflatables scream past us in Currituck Sound. Good thing they were not looking for us!

Tied up to the Coinjock Marina dock. Good trip.

Norfolk, VA to Chesapeake, VA

Sat. October 22, 2011 Day 41
Depart Norfolk at 8:00AM and arrived Chesapeake, VA at 12:00PM
Today's miles 12 miles for total miles of 579.5

It took us 4 hours to do 12-miles but we needed fuel and there were a few bridges we needed to wait for and our 1st lock. It was a good travel day and we were not going far since our friends Jerry and Christine Downey have their boat at Chesapeake, VA where they are having some repairs done before going down to Satellite Beach, FL We went out and had a nice dinner with them.

Leaving Norfolk

As we are leaving, we are going by work docks

Boats waiting for a bridge opening. There were 4 boats in front of us also.

After the bridge, on the way again

Our 1st lock. You tie up to the wall and tend the lines as you go up.

The lock behind is closing.

Sign showing distances from the lock. Came a long way but still a long way to go!

Finally at dock in Chesapeake, VA. Nice stop.

Deltaville, VA to Norfolk, VA

Friday, October 21, 2011   Day 40
Departed Deltaville 8:00AM and arrived in Norfolk, VA at 4:00PM
Today's miles- 68   Total miles- 567.5

While it was a long day, when we travel like this, we make our coffee and start up on the fly bridge to get ready for the days trip. When we are ready for breakfast, we go down and pilot the boat from the lower steering station which also has a GPS chart plotter to follow our progress. With our satellite TV, we put on the morning news so it is like driving from your kitchen. After breakfast, we go back up to the fly bridge to pilot from there. It works out well.

The seas were a 3 to 4 foot chop which aren't bad for our boat. We made good time to Norfolk which is the official beginning of the intracoastal waterway starting with mile marker "1"

The waves were not bad when we left.

There are many tugs and commercial traffic along this course.

We began to see Navy type of ships as we got closer to Norfolk.

As you enter the port of Norfolk, you go past the Navy yard. These ships are huge!

Not sure what type of Naval ship this is.

Even the Naval helicopters were out.

The fleet make our old Irish Rover feel very small!

We anchored across from the City (Norfolk) in the Hospital Point anchorage which is in front of the Naval Hospital. This war ship in front of the city is a museum.

This is MAGIC which is a boat from Maine with a great couple we met along the way. They are also on their way to Florida.

We are at anchor across from the city which I didn't realize was as big as it is.

The lights are great from our cabin at night!

When we woke up, there was the Carnival Glory in front of us. They do weekly cruises out of Norfolk.