What a lot of time has gone by since we last wrote a “MisAdventures”.
What a lot of time has gone by since we last wrote a “MisAdventures”.
If you remember anything from the previous issue/edition we were leaving
Solomons, MD where we had spent a most enjoyable summer and were heading
across the Chesapeake to explore Crisfield, Tangier Island, and on the
way south we were going to explore the Wicomico River, the Piankatank River
and Mobjack Bay.
Well, as so often happens in the cruising life, not much of that plan
happened. The weather threatened to turn really windy so we
stayed in Crisfield only one night, crossed back to the west side of the
Chesapeake, went up the Great Wicomico quite far, and found a really beautiful
“hidey hole” called Balls’ Creek in which to ride out the winds. 
We spent 4 days there and the fall weather was perfect. Lots of
trees turning colors, weather crisp without being chilly and the water
a beautiful blue. Lots of time spent on the sundeck watching the
leaves turn!!
Since we were to meet one of Elliott’s longtime friends from College
Station, TX on October 20th, we had to skip our other explorations for
another trip. Ah, the life of a cruiser!!!
We got back to Portsmouth, picked up Chris and took off with willing and enthusiastic crew…for a 5 day cruise down to our winter destination – Wilmington, NC.
The trip was interesting for all three of us…Elliott and I had come north to Portsmouth in the spring via the Dismal Swamp route. A fascinating trip…a bit tense since the canal is very narrow and full of “deadheads”…tree limbs and/or roots that lurk under the surface of the water. The Corps of Engineers had done a monumental job of clean-up after the past hurricane season but there were still plenty of things to harm boat bottoms.
So this trip
south, we decided we’d try the other route – called the Virginia Cut –
which appears to be longer and involves crossing some stretches of open
water. But is relatively free of obstacles in the water. From
Portsmouth you head south with the first night’s stop being a lovely marina
for transients called Coinjock Marina. Their claim to fame, in addition
to wonderful staff help, is a 32 oz. Prime Rib at a restaurant right there
at this fairly small marina. The three of us had a wonderful dinner,
a great dinner the next night and some sandwich meat the following day
– all from one order of the prime rib!! Our next trip through Coinjock
will definitely demand a stop for the ½ cow!
From Coinjock we proceeded across the Albemarle Sound – a pretty big
stretch of open water that isn’t terrifically deep making it imperative
that we have good weather for the crossing – to a very rural and friendly
marina on the Alligator River.
| We spent the night there and proceeded south to a lovely anchorage
near Belhaven NC – Slade’s Creek.
There are 'Kite Monsters' even out here!! |
 |
From there we visited Beaufort, NC…(that’s BOWfort, as opposed
to BEWfort which is in South Carolina).
We had a slip at a marina right along the ICW and the downtown of Beaufort
was within easy walking distance. We had a good time being tourists
and getting off the boat to stretch our legs.
Back to rural cruising for our next to last night before getting to
Wilmington…spent the night at Mile Hammock. A lovely spot if there
aren’t too many boats…for some reason we were packed in like sardines this
time. But everyone was mannerly, no boats drifted from their anchorage
and it was beautifully quiet. We were off at the crack of dawn to our last
“tourist” evening…Wrightsville Beach. Coming up this stretch of water
from Mile Hammock to Wrightsville Beach is almost like cruising in the
clear, turquoise waters of Florida. Clear, blue-green and full of
dolphins…right here in North Carolina. Wonderful stuff! Plus the
marina at Wrightsville Beach is as much fun as the one at Beaufort…walking
to all the off-beat shops and restaurants. We discovered a great
fish house called Crabdaddy’s….loved it. Came back often by car once
we were permanent fixtures in Wilmington.
Made our way to our winter home on October 27th and stayed until February
25th. But our stay in Wilmington is another issue of MisAdventures altogether.
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