We have never taken the coastal route…we just got stuck doing the Belhaven / Alligator River thing. In this year of mixing it up…it was time for a change. After departing Oriental, NC the next stop was Ocracoke Island. The channel coming into the island can get a bit narrow to share with one of the many ferries coming and going but that was easily worked out on the VHF.
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One of the Ferries….not small
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First stop, Ice Cream…check
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The real treat of the visit was meeting up with fellow 2013 Freshmen Class Members JR and Drena. They have a house in Ocracoke and it was perfect timing to see them here.
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Since their cruising days they have added a new crew-person who is the most adorable little lady.
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Though she is a sailor at heart, she found the characteristics of a trawler very interesting….particularly the perfect height look-outs scattered about the decks.
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A terrific couple of days and so happy to spend time with the crew of SV Journey again.
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Traveling along the outer banks was really cool. Every place we go has a slightly different feel and this area is no different.
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The trip up to Manteo on Roanoke Island is a long one for a single day but the limited anchorages along the way tells your right up front, get it done!
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Manteo has a free city dock y9ou can tie up to for a couple days with a lovely view of the small museum.
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Not much better nautical view to be found for sure
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and would you look at that…now for a little history humor….my favorite T-Shirt in this town was “Never ask a resident for directions, they lost an entire settlement”
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Continuing north we whisked by the eastern edge of the Albemarle Sound and found a lovely little anchorage at the top of Currituck Sound. We also lucked out in that the inside route was experiencing a huge hatch of midges which were just covering the boats. Thankfully our route saved us from that mess!
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50 miles from Portsmouth VA…note miles on the ICW are measured in Statute Miles as oppose to Nautical Miles.
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The final leg of the ICW
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Definitely getting into goose country….messy and noisy
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and the turtles are taking a little sun too.
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as well as traffic gets heavier the closer to Norfolk we get.
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We were arriving the Norfolk area we found that two other Krogens, our friends on Confetti and Privateer were near by. A plan to meet at the Norfolk Yacht Club was worked out.
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Magnolia was the first to arrive and Privateer was not far behind.
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Confetti taking a loop…
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Confetti on final approach with Anthony catching lines
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The ladies celebrating with a night cap. Some how I did not get a groupl picture with all six of us….hmm
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Heading onto Hampton, Confetti would be a long in a day or two
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Acadia, Confetti and Magnolia celebrating in Hampton
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A Magnolia Blossom making her entrance
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and two days later, a full flower. In between we got bunches of shores caught up on Magnolia.
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And of course Niece and Nephew-In-Law came for visit and our youngest crew-member is being recruited,
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I definitely have my hands full….out of my area of expertise…
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The legendary Barking Dog is still making terrific sandwiches and
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and serving name appropriate cans of wine!
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One more dinner with Acadia and it was time to head for the Chesapeake!
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