First light

Sunday, November 6, 2011

A night at Broad Creek anchorage and on to Ocracoke.

Heading south on the North River.

Broad Creek Ancohage...beautiful!

...even at night.

We left Broad Creek and headed south to Ocracoke an eighty mile trip

that would take us across the Albemarle, Croatan and Pamlico sounds.

Above is the bridge from the main land to Roanoke Is.

A bumpy but relaxing trip.

Ocracoke coming into view.

The Ocracoke lighthouse.

Entering Silver Lake.. The ferry terminal is on the left.

Edward Teach was said to have been the most dreaded of all pirates. Known as the infamous "Blackbeard" he was said to have a residence on the island.

Sandy Bottom berthed at the Federal docks.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

On to Coinjock.

Leaving the Great Bridge there was ice on the decks of Sandy Bottom.

Boats in the mist.

Slow going, the Capt. keeps watch.

Following the cruise ship "Independence" We fianlly passed him a few miles down stream..

Coming into Coinjock.

Having another cold one. Had a great prime rib here.

Jim & Sandy enjoying liquid refreshment.

Yikes!!! That's me in the middle after to many gin and tonics!!!

Coinjock.

Leaving the Solomon's for Norfolk and Mile "0" on the ICW.

We were treated to a wonderfull sunrise while leaving the Solomon's.

We lost 2 days to bad weather at Fishing Bay harbour.

Fishing Bay Harbour above.

The Skipper & 1st Mate taking on fuel at Deltaville, VA. Next stop Norfolk, VA

We had to dodge a curise ship upon entening Hampton Roads.

Many navel ships are berthed at Norfolk and security is very tight along the water way.

The Norfolk water front. Hal & Alice will remember a great trip here.

We decided to spend the night at the Great Bridge Lock free dock, but first we had to

"lock through"the Great Bridge Lock. Sandy preparing to lock through.

The lock opens.

Sandy waiting for the lock to empty.

Peg doing the same.

Tied up on the wall.

Some of our neighbors.

The Great Brigde Lock. On to "Coinjock" about 35 miles down stream.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Middle River, MD to Solomon's, MD

Leaving Middle River Wed. morning for Solomon's, MD, a trip of about 65 mi.

The Capt. at the helm. The "Sandy Bottom" carries a full complement of navigational electronics,

chart plotter, radar, sonar and autopilot.

Passing beneath the Chesapeake Bay Bridge just North of Annapolis.

Peg-a-loo taking the air.

It got a little choppy as we headed South...no problem for "Sandy Bottom".

Harbour approach.

Looking for just the right spot.

Does it get any better then this....

Steaks on the barbie and a cold one.

The Capt. lowers the tender.

Happy campers.

The "red boat" marks the position of our anchorage at Mill Creek the Solomon's.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Winters Journey on the ICW - and perhaps beyond.

This winter Firstlight will remain on the "Hard". Our good friends Jim & Sandy Scalise have graciously invited us to cruise with them on their 46' Carver motor yacht "Sandy Bottom" down the ICW from Middle River, MD to Miami, FL and, weather permitting the Bahamas, or, weather not permitting, the Florida Keys.

The first leg of the trip begins on Oct. 26 at Jim and Sandy's Marina in Middle River, MD and will end at Pamlico Plantation around the middle of November with stops at the Solomon’s, Norfolk/Portsmouth, perhaps a trip down the Dismal Swamp Canal (conditions permitting), across the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds to Ocracoke and ending at the plantation. A trip of nearly 400 mi.

We will take a short break for Thanksgiving and resume our trip via the ICW at the end of Nov. continuing to Charleston, SC , again about 380 mi., with numerous stops at various ports of call arriving in Charleston sometime in the middle of December. Jim and Sandy will head home for the holidays while Peg & I stay with the boat in Charleston. Christmas in Charleston...what could be better!

After the first of the year, we will head approx 625 mi. south along the ICW to Miami, the jumping off point for the Bahamas, weather permitting. Our plans may change in Miami but we will kept you updated.