Coinjock to Second Creek off Alligator River

Today we got up at 620 and got ready for a day of motoring south with hopefully no running aground. We were very grateful that Pamalynn was agreeable to our following her. What a gracious and helpful couple.

While we were waiting for the neighbor marina to open, Jon built our new anchor and we later found out what an awesome job he did! But of course.

We filled the diesel tanks and while Mark was doing that and Jon was taking care of trash, I got to play for a couple minutes with the marina lab. I was very pleased to get a dog fix.

Then the motoring began...and then this fella came around the bend and met us on our starboard. It looked scary as heck but he clearly knew how to maneuver around and deal with boaters! Even got a wave out of one crew member. 

And there was much motoring...yay. But also breakfast making for the boys and me (Apologies for a food photo--visually my omlet turned out even better)

And we're motoring and we're motoring...but honestly is was so relaxing. Plus we saw the beauty of it all and were reminded of the people who work for a living so we can have fish and crab at our pleasure.

Jon took us through the Albemarle Sound like a pro. I had fun project time laying down Dry-Deck in some lockers and reorganizing them then gluing rubber liners to my placemats so they won't slip. Go me :-) I'll be cleaning the drains tomorrow for sure.

We also learned that crab pots are anywhere they want them to be regardless of silly things like channels so a fun (not really) game of dodge the pot was had by all. Poor Pamalynn had to go through them first. We owe her.

We approached the Alligator River Bridge and even though we were 10-15 minutes away, the bridge operator held it for us! Thank God because they'd had some trouble with it so who knew if/when it would/could open again today. Wow talk about a good guy...thanks again Mr. Operator! Our apologies to the 50+ cars we held up today.

On the other side Pamalynn let us know that we probably couldn't make the far anchorage option he knew so we agreed to head towards shore and anchor on the edge of the river. It was early in the day and the wind was gusting up to 23 knots so the river was rough as hell. But we never experienced an unprotected anchorage and there's a first time for everything. We pulled into the shoreline as far as reasonable--avoiding more pots--and dropped Jon's newly built Fortress. It took immediately!!  It has been holding like a rock star since we got here and through some heavy wind and waves. Awesome job Jon! Thank you! Oh and got to watch military jets fly over-love!

I enjoyed happy hour while Mark sent mail from the SSB. Jon cooked us a great dinner too! Today was Jon awesomeness day.

After dinner Mark and Jon did something that I think has something to do with a depth reader and all I know is something is now being displayed that we were missing. However it involved pulling the piece off the boat and inserting a bung in its place...so no pressure. Ha ha I said bung. Anyway, it worked and they fixed it and was another good thing ;-) 

We were treated to a glorious sunset as well. Breathtaking. Nature does put on the best show.

I went out on the tramps and basked in the stars...billions and billions...we miss the magnitude in the city and forget what it's like to see the Milky Way. We were treated to a satellite flyby and I swear I saw a shooting star...coulda been the wine though.  It was a wonderful day and we three do know and appreciate how blessed we are to be out here! 

Tomorrow we will get up before sunrise again and keep migrating south. Maybe with Pamalynn again. Not sure where we will end up but that's sorta the whole point! XO Suzanne

PS should have specified that the jets were out of MCAS Cherry Point. Ohraa!!!!