Norfolk to Coinjock

We left Norfolk this am just at sunrise...

Jon posted an awesome picture of our first bridge (of many bridges). He has shared a bunch of amazing photos so enjoy enjoy!! We spent a good amount of time this am waiting for a couple bridges to open and missed out on getting in the first group (11 boats) to go through the Great Bridge Lock.

That resulted in our being in a threesome of catamarans for the rest of the 37 mile trip to Coinjock. In a case of 'small world' we were behind Bossanova. She is a lovely 440 Maverick designed by the same man who designed our Island Spirit and we toured her just last weekend at the boat show.

The intracoastal is slow going, narrow channel (as we found out later) but so peaceful and gorgeous to watch as you make your way from VA to NC.

Earlier I had reserved a spot at Midway Marina for tonight...this is where our sweet girl spent her first winter after Mark bought her so it was neat to be back six years later. So with at done we continued merrily on our way...until, well, like I said, the channel is narrow and not so deep as would be preferred in a spot or two.

We sorta got one hull stuck in the muck about an hour north of the marina. Mark and Jon sprang into action. First we tried to rock ourselves out then twist but the muck said "no ma'am". Even the river loves our boat but we love her more so Mark took out the anchor to winch us forward and out. (Like he had to do for my car when I backed off the side of the driveway way home.) That did not have the desired effect. So he took the anchor off the boat and dropped it behind us and Jon winched it in while Mark manned  the engines in reverse.  Woohoo! It worked! But tragically, our anchor did not make it back to the boat and will make a nice artificial reef for some lucky creature in the overly shallow west side of a tiny area of the ICW that we managed to find. What matters is that we got out and no one was hurt (including the boat) or went in the ditch. Parents reading this: Do Not Worry! We have two other anchors on board. Mark and Jon were great through the mess and I was proud of them and know I'm safe with them even in a sticky situation. We continued onto the Marina and arrived with an hour to spare before sunset.  

As Jon said, the fellas had dinner with the crews of the other two cats...I gave my sweet Stray Cat a nice rinse down so we could have some QT after her little encounter with the ICW and then gave myself one at the marina showers.  We are still in mourning over the loss of brave anchor--he gave his life so we could be free.  Thank you anchor...I dedicate my tequila and double chocolate cake to you. 

Off to bed so we can rest for another 0630 wake up. We will likely continue with Pamalynn (cat who lead our pack today) for the next leg. They have done the ditch a few times and, like us, are not in a big hurry. Goodnight all. Oh and if you happen to have a 55 pound anchor laying around, teleport it to us if you could please  ;-) XO Suzanne

PS it is cooold!