Sailing Trance

Tuesday December 10, 2019

Another day on the ICW. We heard it was a “washing machine” on the ocean from boats who were out there. We saw Miss Janice! She’s the shrimp boat the belongs to the Riverview Cafe in Sneads Ferry where we had dinner a few nights ago. Janice was cruising the ICW. We made it through the “rock pile” it was uneventful compared to others descriptions. We followed s/v Gander from Southport to Myrtle Beach, docked together at Marina at Grande Dunes. We share a few after dinner. Planning on traveling together for a few days.

Monday December 9, 2019

The morning started with a heavy fog that lasted hours. We stayed in Southport another day, getting a few things done. Dan purchased zippers for my project, he got a ride from Bob Reninger (who works part time at the marina) he was a neighbor of Dan’s former boss Ellen who’s son married Ellen’s sister. Danielle worked till 8 pm. Dan and I went out to dinner, a Thai restaurant, then to Walmart for a few groceries with IP45 owners John and Val Kin who were in Southport getting work done on their boat. We did bring food back for Danielle.

Sunday December 8, 2019

We departed at sunrise from Sneads Ferry. It was an uneventful day on the ICW. We motor sailed frequently, with the main often adding 0.5 to 1 knot of speed. The sky was gray most of time, then rain. We watched the Bills lose to the Ravens on the NFL app. Currently we are docked at Southport Marina in Southport NC.

Saturday December 7, 2019

Left the marina by 7am, headed south. Lots of interesting sights today on the ICW. Settled in for the night around 5pm at Swan Point Marina in Sneads Ferry NC, (for heat) this place still has some major hurricane damage. The dock master recommended a great family restaurant in town called Riverview. He said just call they’ll come pick you up, so we did. Food was awesome, it’s shrimp season!!!

Friday, December 6, 2019

Foster’s arrived early in morning. Having the right tools is essential! We will be in the market for closed end metric ratchet wrenches, we only have open end ones on board. The rest of the day was spent doing laundry, Danielle worked an 8 hr day, and I created this blog. Meanwhile back at boat, Dan installed our new Zarcor companion way doors and replaced the dingy bow U bolt. We patronized a local restaurant for dinner, M and M’s from the advice of fellow thistle sailer and friend, Adam Ankers. After dinner we shared a few with the boat docked next to us, Ed Armstrong. He has a blog too, 1977 Cape Dory 28, https://sailingthevirginialee.blogspot.com/

Thursday, December 5, 2019

This morning we made a few phone calls, to get in touch with a recommended mechanic. We sailed down the sound to Oriental NC, where we docked late afternoon at Whittaker Marina with the help of a tow from Boat US. An appointment was made with Foster’s Mobile Marine Service for Friday morning.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

We pulled up anchor around 7am, motored thru to The Pungo River. The winds were fair so we set sail on Pamlico Sound. The engine was turned off, it was a great sail. Only later did we realize the engine wouldn’t start. We trouble shot while sailing, with Danielle at the helm, without Navigation, to conserve power, she did an awesome job getting us around a very large shoal and the “circle of danger” with the help of Google Maps, a chart on Dan’s computer and the knowledge of navigation lights. We set anchor near Swan Creek, continued to trouble shoot with the help of buddies on the Island Packet Yacht Owners Association Facebook group.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

We had wanted to experience the Dismal Swamp, but advice from 2 sources, we decide to ride the ICW. We experienced our first lock, it was a 1.5 foot drop but a lock just the same. We continued down the canal to about midnight, anchored just south of the Alligator Swing Bridge, in the Alligator River. Did I mention it was cold?

December 2, 2019

Later in day we walked about a mile to a Food Lion to pick up a few items. A Lyft took to a Walgreens, then another back to the marina. While on the second Lyft, Dan noticed the driver’s cell phone holder was missing, he offered to give him one we brought with us from our car. We had hoped the Garmin InReach would fit, but it didn’t. The driver graciously accepted Dan’s offer, but then Dan asked if the driver could do him favor. While we were unpacking our clothes, Dan decided there were several items he wanted to part with, stuffed them into a large brown plastic trash bag. He asked the driver if could drop off this bag of clothes to a charity, so Dan gave the driver the cell phone holder along with a bag of clothes. We went back to the boat, unload our groceries, went to dinner at the marina restaurant, Surfrider Restaurant & Bar.

After dinner we shared a bottle of wine with the people we were docked next to. Bill and Linda Knowles, founders of the Salty Dawg Sailing Association. It was a great evening of telling sailing stories as well receiving great advice from them.

December 1, 2019

We are employing the services of a weather router, Chris Parker from Weather Center, so far his prediction have been spot on. They recommended we take shelter by 9am Sunday and stay till Tuesday to avoid a front with gale force winds on the ocean. We spent 2 nights at the Blue Water Yachting Center in Hampton, VA. Sunday, a very rainy windy day, was spent organizing and stowing away everything we brought on board.