Sept 26
We anchor back in St Johns creek waiting on better
weather, especially as we cross the mouth of the Potomac River. This river
always adds at least 1-2 foot to the waves depending on the current at the
time. Flow from the Potomac reaches quite a ways into the Chesapeake.
We dinghy to the lower strip where the tourist stores
hang out and fill the dinghy with gas. There is a dock where pump outs are free
where we can ty up. This is provided by the municipality for Solomon’s. We took a whole 2 gallons of gas in a 3
gallon tank so we needed the fuel.
Sept 27
We leave anchor at 7:45 a.m. into 5-10 knot winds out of
the NE. Current is in our favor carrying a ½ knot for all but the last 1 hour
of the trip. Waves are basically 1 foot with 2 feet every now and then so it is
a comfortable ride until we hit the Potomac we see 2-3 foot waves and an extra
knot of current going our way. We add another 200 rpm to the engine and we see
9.5 knots for the next 1 hour.
We have made good time and instead of going into Fleet’s
Bay we elect to go another 15 miles to a favorite anchorage in this wind
direction, Fishing Bay on the Piankatank River. We spent 2 days here on our
trip north.
Sept 28
We have a 53 mile trip today to Portsmouth where we plan
to stop at the Portsmouth city docks. We have never tried this stop before so
it will be an adventure.
Well Portsmouth changed the rules again, No overnight
mooring. I see some boats that seem to have been there awhile, but the sign
says no, so we will go on.
We go to Top Rack Marina and fuel up as their price is
$3.30 a gallon. We fuel and head up the Great Dismal Creek to the Deep Creek
Lock. We make the 3:30 pm lock thru and ty up on the free dock on the other
side. We had a choice of going on thru the bridge and trying to make the
Visitors center prior to dark or wait and clear the bridge in the morning at
9:30 am. The bridge opens after the lock as the same man runs both. Roger is
the local Historian and lock/bridge operator and is a real treat to talk to
about canal history. He makes coffee in the morning for those who stay
overnight at the lock and provides donuts and rolls for breakfast. If you go
this way try to stop as he and his stories make the stop worthwhile. You can dinghy
to the bridge and find a hardware/ grocery etc. within ½ mile.
Sept 29
We traverse the canal and make Elizabeth City today. Lots
of dock space at the city docks. I give the cook the night off and we go out to
eat at the eatery just across the street. It is pricy but really good food.
Sept 30
We leave at 6:30 am heading to Belhaven 75 miles away. We
have an uneventful trip and end up at the Pungo Creek Marina, $29 a night for
any size boat. The place is in the sticks with no real close services and you
get what you pay for. We got a full tank of water and electric for the night. I
would not stay here again. Owner wants to sell the place but demand is wanting.
Oct 1
We are almost home. We tie up at a Bill and Pat Kirsches’
dock off Bay River on Ball Creek about 11 am. We will leave the boat here to
clean it before taking it to Morehead for the winter. We have been gone since
May 11 and covered 2740 nautical miles. Somehow I do not think we will do this
long a trip again.
We visit with Pat awhile and good friends who live beside
them, Bill and Mary White. We load the truck and head out.
THE END
