What a Difference a Day Makes!

We enjoyed our night in Belhaven at the River Forest Marina and got to know some fellow boaters that are on a trek to complete "The Great Loop." We regaled each other with stories about some of our experiences and shared boat cards. It was a pretty sunrise, but some fog came in from the east and delayed the early departure of one of the boats.

Cruising conditions were not quite as perfect today as they were yesterday. We had a very good run through the Pungo River and the Alligator River - Pungo River Canal. There were a few boats in the canal in front of us, so we went slow for a while. The canal is not necessarily a good place to pass. It can get shallow near the shoreline and many tree stumps are clearly visible.

Once we entered the Alligator River, things began to change. Winds were much stronger and we had to contend with some very choppy conditions. We got through Alligator River Bridge, a swing bridge that we had to request an opening, and slowly made our way to the Albemarle Sound. I had read reports of deadheads (logs lurking under the surface of the water) and decided to be extra cautious. Once we entered the Sound, conditions became progressively worse, but manageable. Waves were rocking us around and the wind was pretty strong. We had to keep a sharp eye out for crab trap markers. They were everywhere. I refer to them as landmines. If we hit one, it can do some serious damage to our props. That would be especially bad in these rough conditions. The trip was long, but we made it across and arrived at the Coinjock Marina. They are experts at getting boats tied up quickly and efficiently. The busy season hasn't started quite yet. They will be incredibly busy in a few weeks when the northern boat migration heats up.

Tomorrow we head for Hampton, VA and return to the area of the Chesapeake Bay.