Hold up we did for three days at the Alligator Marina, along with about one dozen boats all waiting for a decent weather window to cross the Albemarle Sound. The Sound is a shallow stretch of water with a long fetch in the east/west direction so when the wind blows hard out of the east it sets up a wicked train of close steep waves which run across the path of anyone venturing to cross it. This is exactly the situation that kept us at the Alligator River Marina. Now let me tell you about the Alligator marina. Imagine if you will the end of the earth, well the Alligator River Marina is just past that to the left. The only thing that could be said is that the grille made a real fine cheeseburger and the biscuits in the morning melted in your mouth.
Well we finally went stir crazy after three days there and took off at 6AM hoping the get across before the winds picked up and the T storms marched over. We had 15-20 kt winds about 40 degrees off the bow so we were able to roll out enough of the jib to help us power through the chop (2-3 feet) as well as keep us from rolling and we motor sailed across in about two hours. We felt so good about it that we kept on going though Elizabeth City to the beginning of the Dismal Swamp Canal where the canal lock was open and ready to lock us through, so we did. Then we motored the length of the canal, so much for stopping to smell the roses. The closer we get to home the more antsy Terri is getting to be there. Can’t say I blame her. She worries about the grass and the weeds, etc.
We could not go through the northern most lock because it was too late, but there is a free dock just before it that has a shopping center, (Viz, grocery) and a Mexican Restaurant. Guess where we had dinner.
The next morning we caught the 9:00 am lock through and steamed into Norfolk and past mile zero of the ICW, then on to the mighty Chesapeake where we are now motor sailing along trying to make Deltaville VA. If we do we should be back to home base in two days, but here is a cold front approaching and THAT could hold us up once again because it would bring strong northeast winds down the bay, which would NOT be a fun trip. Along with this would also come the showers and T-storms. I do not care to be the highest thing on the water when one of these babies comes through. The winds I can handle but the lightning is another thing.
