Good night at the end of the Alligator River

We spent the night last night anchored at the southern end of the Alligator River and had dinner aboard Oceanaire.  Outstanding!

We made a fairly long run today that one one of the most tedious of the trip.  Very straight, very slow, straight upwind and into a wind-driven current.  A couple of boats were held up at the end of the Aliigator/Pungo canal because the wind had piled water up in this non-tidal area of the world and made the last bridge too low for them to get under.  It was definitely under 64' when we went under.  Not an issue for Zusammen as we are 52' of mast plus a couple of feet of antennae.

We ended up staying the night in Dowery Creek.  Great spot - cool marina.  They have a pool that the locals were amazed the kids were swimming in (because it isn't heated).  We took on fuel and then borrowed a car from the marina to drive to town to get the propane bottle filled.  The cruisers at the marina did a pot-luck super at the clubhouse which was good fun.  We met some good folks and as always picked up some new info.  (My interest in cruising the Florida Keys before we head to the Bahamas is renewed!)

Tomorrow, fairly early (hoping to make an 0730 departure or better) we will head out to run down the Pungo River and then across the Pamlico River.  The latter will be a little messy with a strong West wind, but we should be on a close reach and the breeze isn't predicted to really pump up until the afternoon.  I think we will anchor in Gale or Bear creek tomorrow night - skip the drama of running all the way to Oriental if the wind does come up to predicted levels.  The following day we could make a long run and hit Beaufort/Moorehead city.  I think when we get there, we'll chill out for a while and maybe even look for some surf.

I hear whispering coming from the V-berth - time to threaten a keel-hauling.  ;-)

Bis-Spater....

PS. I forgot to mention that we had our Insurance Line for November first, moved South to the Florida / Georgia border from Hatteras.  Thanks to Bob Peck at Triton for working it out.  Will be good to get down into SC and Georgia before Nov.