Well we have been traveling down the ICW since Sunday. We have had quite the adventure.
On Monday we motored down from Coinjock to the Albemarle Sound, which we were able to sail across. What a NASTY body of water. The winds were howling and we had square shaped, steep waves rolling the boat from side to side; all while it was raining. We arrived at the Alligator River and anchored behind an island near the mouth. There wasn't another boat to be seen.....we soon learned why.....the current swirled around the island causing waves to roll through the anchorage ! The boat rolled as if we were still in the Albemarle Sound. That night a thunder storm hit with high winds (30+ MPH) and again driving rains. We got little or no sleep. The spirts of the Albermarle just wouldn't give up. Trudie has repeatedly said that the Albermarle is the worst place she has ever sailed and has vowed NEVER to return. (I second her opinion !) We have sailed in some pretty snotty weather, and "tuff"conditions, but the Albermarle wins. Not dangerous, just plain rotten......enough said.
We had a great anchorage last night and slept 10 straigh hours to make up for the previous night's loss of sleep. The last two days it has been mostly hours of motoring down channels and canals, many of which are man-made "ditches" carved through the wetlands of North Carolina. Yesterday we motored down the Pungo Canal for 22 miles....it is about 200 feet wide, and straight as an arrow. There is a bridge toward the end of the canal that you can see literally 10 miles up the canal because the terrain is dead flat and the canal so straight. The canals are lined with trees all of which look the same so there is no way to tell how far you have traveled down the canal (without use of electronics). The scenery is all identical. Every five miles there is a Mile Marker so you have a clue where you are.
Tonight we are anchored in a little creek off the Neuse River. We are in a completely unspoiled wetland, tucked behind an island for wind protection. There is absolutely NOTHING here. I don't think there is any civilization for 5 miles around. We are the only boat and the tranquility is awesome, broken only by the pelicans fishing for dinner. A perfect ending to the day.
In closing, the following is a picture of Persephone taken at dawn by friends on "Luff Affair". It really was that pretty ! Thanks Don + Mary for a great shot !
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