#28 October 30 - Nov. 5th

Oct. 30 - This second morning brought Northwest winds 10 to 15. Being we are going South it will be behind us. Its clear skies and we are ready to go. 

Bill is checking this and that before we get underway. He is standing in the engine room where most of his tools are stored.

We cast off around 8 am and had beam seas for the first 3 miles as we left the anchorage at Solomons. Horatio did NOT like the rolly polly action of the boat. Panting and shaking, very distressed. He wanted to be sitting right next to and leaning on us. When we turned South it was much better but we did have 4 - 6 footers pushing us. 55 miles this day to the South side of Deltaville peninsula. Arrived at a nice quiet anchorage at 3:45.

This is our countertop oven we brought from home. Weren't sure if it would fit. We had to move it on to the cooktop due to it getting extremely hot. So run the Generator for 30 minutes on convection setting and Pot Pies for Supper! Mrs. Calendars', very good. Oh yes, we are almost out of Kraken!

This is where the oven lives when not being used. We are glad it fit. We have done a pork roast, baked cookies and the pot pies.  So I think it will make a nice addition to domestic life aboard. Speaking of domestic life, we also bought a Nutri-Bullet. Been emulsifying everything you can think of. Bill's having a ball.  Ha!

Peaceful sunset! Looking forward to many more.

Oct. 31  - Happy Halloween! We arrived in Norfolk/Portsmouth at 3:30, 6 hour run and 45 miles. 

As we entered the Elizabeth River at Norfolk we encountered this sailing ship with her crew of intrepid tourists.  All around the shores are ship, big ship, berths, loading docks, military installations. Our Navy has an impressive presence here.

As you can see, Horatio survived his personal ordeal of cruising with his Bucco. They found a coffee shop just up the street from our free dock at Portsmouth, shown below. We stayed a second night and enjoyed the Breakfast Buffet at the Hotel Renaisance you see there alongside Simpatico. 

Note the ferry that entered and exited the harbor every 40 minutes. Surprisingly, it did not really disturb the boats.

Nov. 2nd - Speaking of boats! when we left we were amazed at the number of  boats, sail and power that were heading South. We chose to do the Virginia Cut rather than the Dismal Swamp route as we did when going North. About 11 miles out of Norfolk there are two bridges and a lock. A lot of delays, one hour and half just at the lock due to 11 boats locking through. Openings are only on the hour.
Below are some photos (that we aren't supposed to photograph Naval "Assets"). There are at least 80 of these behemoths in various stages of retrofit.

Horatio was much happier today being in the Intercoastal well protected from wind and waves. Very overcast, and misty rainy all day, 8hours and only 40 nautical miles due to delays. Anchored just off the channel at 4:30 (gets dark at 5)

I shouldn't show this but I did bring my guitar and hope to get some dedicated practising in.  It is really not very pleasant for the other beings on board.  Shouldn't show it because I may not follow through!  It's a bucket list thing~

11/3 We were first into our anchorage this evening arriving around 1pm; we were tired from the day before. We crossed Albemarle Sound, notorious for its bad wind and waves but our crossing was uneventful and relatively flat. By sundown there were 20 more boats anchored all around us. 

11/4 Ready to enter the Alligator/Pungo River Canal. Like the Dismal Swamp, 27 miles of straightaway. Did not see one alligator.

Halfway there is a shrimping operation at Hobocken, NC.

We arrived at Oriental NC 54 Nautical miles at 4pm. Took slip #5 after several days at anchor we are ready for Laundry, groceries (snacks), washdown of the boat, fuel and water. Its been really good getting back into the rhythm of cruising. 

 Did I mention there is a "Tiki Bar" and a great restaurant? The Tiki bar was the first place Connie hit! I dragged Bill along! Ha! They had all the decor for Halloween still up - - - candy corn lights, witches and spiders. Funny thing though, we were the only boaters there, all the rest all around the bar were locals. Very friendly and fun. Dinner at the restaurant this evening was a treat and very good.

11/5 We have the laundry done, the groceries shopped, boat watered and in the process of washing the salt off Simpatico. And, it isn't even noon yet. 
Tomorrow we will set out South again. Anchoring between here and Wilmington NC; hoping to have Bob and Nancy Rudary, old sailing friends form Michigan join us for a cookout.  Then a few more days to Charleston, SC to visit with granddaughter Miranda.
All is well.

I'm going to the Tiki Bar  --  smile!

By the way, Happy 1st Birthday, Horatio