 At
0945 we approached the Great Bridge Lock. This is the only lock
on the Virginia Cut route. During this time of the year it is
normally full. Guess what? It looks full. The lock master somehow
fit us in. There were about 30 boats secured in the lock. As the
lock process is quite slow (15-30 minutes), we had the
opportunity to chat with others in the lock. Most were going
south to North Carolina and leaving their boats there for the
winter. Surprisingly few were headed for sunny Florida.
 The
gates are open and away we go! Everybody was courteous leaving
the locks. Of course we are the last ones out. We now have 3 more
bascule/swing bridges to conquer before reaching Midway Marina in
Coinjock, NC. Since we had no wind we had to motorsail all of the
way. The ICW was very pretty but we were spending most of our
time re-reading the charts, checking navigation aids, and trying
not to go aground. The three of us made a pact:- no going aground
for the whole trip! All very tense due to the narrow channels
with little water. We passed tug boat Captain David going north.
Bob had met up with him before on his trip last October while
taking a friends boat from Oriental to Herrington Harbour South
Marina.
 We
crossed over into North Carolina at 1340 (2 November). Bob was at
the helm trying not to go aground. Everyone we had talked to
before we started our trip had informed us that due to the lack
of water on the ICW we would either go aground at least once or
bump a couple of times. So far we have been very lucky or as Bob
kept saying "It is because we have an Excellent
Captain/Navigator on board". He must be referring to me!
 We
arrived at Midway Marina at 1613. It is a very friendly and clean
marina. On arrival, the staff put us at the end of a narrow
channel. They told us there was plenty of water along that dock
but we soon discovered we only had 4.5 feet under us and we were
aground (it doesn't count when you are in a slip). We draw 5 1/2
feet under our keel. With the help of the staff and other boaters
we pulled the boat far enough forward to tie us and hope that
there will be high tide in the morning when we leave. Bob and I
celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary today by having a bottle
of wine that Toby had purchased for us at the marina. Also the
marina gives you a small bottle of champagne or wine for staying
there. We will save the champagne to drink when we arrive in Port
Canaveral.
 Bob
while getting off the boat to go to the head fell on the dock. We
had frost during the night and it was very slippery. During the
night a 54-foot sailboat came in to the marina and tied up
directly behind us. We noticed the next morning that green glass
littered his deck. Evidently he had hit a bridge light while
passing under. Most of the bridges are 65 feet on the ICW. His
mast must be pretty close to 65'. His position at the dock caused
us a problem getting out at 0730. The captain of the vessel was
no where to be seen so we had to maneuver backward around him and
another boat that was tied up across the channel. The captain and
crew of the Jule III did a wonderful job getting us out and on
our way. We arrived at the Alligator River Swing Bridge at 1315,
3 November. The bridge tenders have all been very nice - wishing
us a very safe trip south and an enjoyable winter.
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