Cruising with Steadfast

A little late on this final post…. We left a little before 7, and had a great last day!  Beautiful morning going through Norfolk… always neat to see of the naval ships.  Flat morning with some wind building as the day went on, still very pleasant.  Here is today’s  Track .  What a great trip!

 We had a quiet night at anchor, and got word in the morning that the North Landing Bridge was again operational.  Left at about 8:45.  Went through the 9:30 opening of the North Landing Bridge.  Next was the Centerville Turnpike Bridge… normal opens on the 1/2 hour and hour… but since it is Saturday, they opened on demand.  Great Bridge opened at 11, then directly into the lock.  Next hurdle was the “Norfolk Southern #7 Railroad Bridge”. It was closed when we arrived… bridge tender reported it was waiting for a train.  We waited well over 1/2 hour (seemed like almost an hour)… no train, then he opened… we could hear on the radio after we went through that he was closing again.  Seems like it shouldn’t be too hard to predict when a train is/isn’t coming.  Anyway.. we arrived at Waterside Marina in Norfolk… wind still in the mid 20s. Here is today’s  Track

 After a windy rainy night in Coinjock, we left at about 9:30 headed to Great Bridge.  The wind was blowing about 30kts… about 1/2 way across Currituck Sound, we began seeing boats we had seen leave ahead of us coming back.  Turns out the North Landing Bridge was not operational due to high water (from the high winds).  We continued on, and ended up anchoring for the night in the North Landing River… anchorage called “N of Pungo” on the chart.  There were 4 other boats anchored with us… wind continued to blow (highest gust we saw crossing the sound was 42 kts), but began to die down by 8 or 9 in the evening.  In the end… a pleasant enough day and evening.  Hoping the bridge will be operation al on Saturday.  Here is today’s  Track

 Nice afternoon/evening in Belhaven.  Great bday dinner at Bistro 1904 for Gwen’s bday.  We left at o’dark thirty (just before 6:30) as wind was forecasted to build through the day, and we wanted to get through Albemarle Sound before it got toooo rough.  We cruised a little faster than normal… that combined with the early start worked well.  Wind on the sound was in the mid 20s with gusts in upper 20s, but by the time we entered the North River (after crossing the sound)… wind had build to mid/upper 20s with gusts well in the 30s.  Arrived Coinjock after a 9 hour run… their water was out, pump out didn’t work… and power was an issue.  Water and pump out fixed… power issues worked around… but it took 1.5 hrs to accomplish what should have taken 15 minutes.  Here is today’s  Track

After a very nice stay in Beaufort…  we left just before 7 this morning for the easy trip to Belhaven.  Early departure was an attempt to ensure a spot at the town dock (doesn’t take reservations)… it worked.  Arrived a little after 12.  Plan is for a nice dinner out to celebrate Gwen’s Birthday!  Here is today’s  Track

 We got another early start… looking to time 10:00 opening of the Onslow Beach Bridge (only opens on the hour) and arrive Beaufort as close as possible to 2:00 slack tide.  Beautiful day, smooth trip. Here is today’s  Track Pictures to follow….

 We got an early start, hoping to minimize negative current in the Cape Fear River, and get going before the wind built.  In both cases, better than expected.  Beautiful sunrise, nice day (much better than forecasts suggested).  Harbour Village Marina is in a very convenient location (good stopping point between Southport and Beaufort NC… seems to be a homeowner association marina, in a residential neighborhood… no restaurants or stores, but nice docks, well protected, and helpful staff.  Here is today’s  Track

 Nice stay in Myrtle Beach… lunch boat trip with the crew of Theodore (on Theodore) with friends of theirs in Myrtle Beach.  Theodore is staying an extra day… we’ll reconnect in Southport tomorrow.  We left about 8:20, nice relaxing trip to Southport NC (one more state to go!).  Arrived about 1:50, very breezy, but no issues getting in the slip.  Here is today’s  Track . Photos to be added later (hopefully)