Voyage 2007-2008: Chapter 2

23 Oct 2007, Sadness at Elizabeth City, 36 17.990 N/ 076 12.730 W

The trip down the Pasquotank is a pleasant trip through the cypress swamps. The river is quite deep in most places.On this day, it was warm, sunny, and just a nice experience. We arrived at Elizabeth City draw bridge at 1230. We had made reservations at the Pelican Marina and we were tied up by 1300. We heard at the Welcome Center that Fred Fearing (Rose Buddies) had died on Friday. It was a sad occasion for us as we had made it a point to go to his wine and cheese parties every time we were there.

The weather gave us the opportunity to attend his funeral at the First United Methodist church. It was a moving service with a packed church. Dave Thomas (also a Rose Buddy) gave a very fitting eulogy. Fred was 93 and a half years of age. He is buried at the Episcopal Cemetery next to his wife and son.

We are still here in Elizabeth City waiting for the SE winds to turn. Maybe tomorrow. We are enjoying the town and especially the locals at the marina. Our favorite is Jasmine. She likes to go fishing, bark at the birds, and just playing with the visitors (us). Jasmine is the sister of Marley the cat. Unfortunately, Marley was shanghaied a month or so ago and nobody has seen him since Maybe he will return in the spring.

29 Oct 2007, Goodbye EC, hello Beaufort, 34 42.980 N/ 076 39.940 W

We finally got a weather window (sorta) to cross the Albermarle Sound. The wind was on the nose and it was quite wet (rain) but the crossing was rather painless. We anchored in the headwaters of the Alligator River near Bear Point. Weather looks promising that we might make it to Wilmington in three days (sure).

We were up before daybreak, anxious to continue south to RE Mayo in Hobucken NC (check or previous year's reports about RE Mayo). Weather continued to be miserable but navigable. However, we were barely a mile into the Pongo Canal when Jule III heeled to starboard. We hit something but we were near the middle of the channel. Our speed did not diminish, the bilge was OK, so we guessed it was a snag. We warned Moony but they felt nothing. The wind was blowing out of the SE at 15-20 kts bu the Pongo and Pamlico Rivers were no too bad. We got a bit of a scare when we heard the RE Mayo was full. Two steel shrimpers would need the whole transient dock. However, they found us room. Not bad!

It was warm, buggy, buggy, and warm that night. Moony and Jule had to cut the festivities short. Weather indicated that we could pass Beaufort and head to Carolina Beach on the outside. We were excited. We left RE Mayo at 0800 and had little problems through the Neuse, Adfams Creek, the cut, and the swamps North of Beaufort. We entered the Beaufort Inlet at 1600. My, it was rough! What would Wrightsville be like in the morning. Weather reports had degraded the Cape Fear area weather. OK, we chickened out. We called Beaufort Docks and arranged dockage. A bit pricey but easy and comfortable.

Friday found us in Beaufort and a bit disappointed that we had not continued. However, reports from Carolina Beach indicated that maybe we were smart. Earliest weather window is now Tuesday night/Wednesday. We really do not want to do the inside, especially with Moony's 6.5 ft draft. Hopefully the window will hold.

Monday finds us preparing for the trip on the outside. Current in the Docks indicate that we should leave before 1100 tomorrow. Moony will be preared for a similar departure time. Our plan is to anchor outside of the channel until 2100. Then we will depart Beaufort Inlet, and head for Masonboro Inlet hugging the coast. Sea states are predicted to be a bit high outside of 20 miles but the winds should be good throught the trip. While we were planning this, we heard honking and cheering outside. We left the boat and found that we were in the middle of the EC High School Homecoming parade. Kewl!