Riding in the Rain then a Child is Born

Date:                                  April 29, 2013

Days on the Cruise:             35

From:                                Dowry Creek Marina, Belhaven, NC

To:                                    Alligator River Marina, Columbia, NC

Statute Miles:                    49.2

Time:                                5.67 Hours

Cumulative Miles:             1,145.7

On Board:                         Chuck, Susan, Maggie, Trooper, Peanut

Our location tonight as shown by the pink pin

Our location tonight as shown by the pink pin as relates to the middle Atlantic States

First off, congratulations to our son Ben and daughter - in - law Amanda on the birth of their daughter Charlotte today in Alabama. Everyone is doing fine. Charlotte weighed in at 7 lbs 8 oz and was 19" long at birth. We have seen several pictures, and she looks like her Mama and has a bunch of dark hair.

We were out of cell phone contact for most of the day. We knew that Amanda had a doctor's appointment this morning and that it was likely that they would do a C-Section this week. We also knew that there was a possibility that Charlotte could come today. Today was the first time on the entire trip that we have been without cell service for an extended period of time, so we could not follow this morning's events with Amanda and Ben. It drove us crazy to not be "in the know". We broke out of the silent mode around noon and started getting texts about what was happening. We did not get voice contact until shortly before we got here to the marina. So we are both very excited about the third granddaughter's arrival, and are thankful that everyone is OK.

Other than the baby's arrival, there is not much more to elaborate on. We ran in the rain for all but about an hour of our trip. And it was hard rain from the time we untied the lines this morning until it quit. Visibility was very poor all day long, with it dropping to less than half a mile for periods of tome. We drove from the fly bridge and the plastic (Isenglass) windshield had so much rain on it that it was still hard to see. Binoculars worked to cut through the rain and to see the channel markers. I relied on my three chartplotters to guide us. I followed the sailing lines on the plotters from mark to mark, and Susan kept a visual on the markers with binoculars. This was really similar to instrument flying through the clouds, as it was very difficult to see outside.  The wind was calm until we got to the Alligator River and headed North, then it came from behind us and and pushed waves on our stern. The Alligator is 4.5 miles wide in most places, so it provides a lot of water area for waves to build.

A view out the front door this morning on the Pungo River coming out of Dowry Creek Marina

Sailing through the Pungo-Alligator Canal which joins the Pungo and Alligator Rivers

Visibility is better looking back at our wake through the canal

Sailing down the Alligator River toward Albemarle Sound

We had to have the Alligator River Bridge open for us. The road goes to the Outer Banks and Nags Head, about 20 miles away

I was dreading the marina at which we are staying tonight. I had heard so many negative things about the staff and how you are treated. I could not be more pleased with this place. Prompt and courteous docking assistance. Courteous check-in assistance. A Welcome Bag-the first we have received on the trip. And a restaurant and store (even if it is in a Shell gas station) that served us some great burgers and fries for dinner. We both have been craving a common cheeseburger and tonight we got it! We are in a protected harbor with good docks and not a lot of other boats. We met another couple, John and Barbara, in a little bigger Mainship than ours, who came in to spend the night also. They are from Texas, are friends of some folks we met next to us in Oriental, and are on their way to the Rendezvous where we are headed. So, tonight, life is good!

Alligator River Marina

Alligator River Marina

Alligator River Marina at the Shell Station

Tomorrow, we go about 30 miles up to Coinjock, NC. We will cross the last big water before the Chesapeake when we travel about 15 miles across Albemarle Sound.

Thanks for Reading!