CODA BACK IN THE THE USA 2025 (95).

CODA : In water storage in North Carolina continues.  

14-23 April 2025 

Lamb's Marina, Pasquotank River, Elizabeth City, North Carolina 

Coda in her storage spot at Lamb's Marina.

Marc-  I am writing this from my dining room table in Vergennes, Vermont where it snowed yesterday.

The snow stuck to the grass for a while but it has already melted on the green grass on the lawn.  I was not quite sure what to expect for weather on my drive up in a rental car.  We stopped in Washington, DC for one night.  Washington was in full bloom with cherry blossoms aplenty.  It was nice to visit with our friends the Gilmartins that live there.  I dropped Michael off in New Jersey and it looked like spring had arrived there as well.  As soon as I reached Albany the trees were without leaves and no flowers could be seen.  The Adirondack high peaks still had plenty of snow.  The wether forecast is for temperatures to surge into the 70's in the coming days.

Washington Cherry blossoms.

Nice homes in the Mount Pleasant Historic District of Washington 

where we stayed.

Flowers everywhere.

All the homes seem to be masonry townhouses and all merge together. They are quite soundproof.  Another feature is a back street with back yards and parking.  The backs of houses face each other on the back street and the fronts face each other on the front street.  Cool urban planning.

The blog is on hold until I return to Coda on April 23rd.

 

    

CODA BACK IN THE THE USA 2025 (94).

CODA : Exploring northern North Carolina continues.  

14 April 2025 

Lamb's Marina, Pasquotank River, Elizabeth City, North Carolina    

Deep in the bottom of the Dismal Swamp Canal route.

Coda found herself a deep water marina.

Marc-  This was one of the best sailing days of our trip so far.  It started off with a light southwest breeze of 10 knots that built into 15- 20 knots with 30 knot gusts.  We motorsailer out the Alligator River.  Once in the Albemarle Sound the wind took hold and Coda took off averaging 7.5 knots under sail alone.  We reached 8.5 in gusts.  We were able to sail right up the Pasquotank river up past the sprawling Coast Guard base.  Elizabeth City is the Location of a major search and rescue Coast Guard base.  https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Director-of-Operational-Logistics-DOL/Bases/Base-Elizabeth-City/. 

We needed a place to leave Coda while I rent a car to bring Michael back to New Jersey and for me to go home for Easter.  Maybe I can find some crew at the same time! 

 Lamb's Marina was suggested by Dan, at the Mid-Atlantic Christian University, offers free dockage for short term transients. 10 days is not considered short term.  Larry Lamb was most welcoming and has a nice marina with a well dredged channel and basin (8 feet) with well maintained docks and facilities (at very reasonable rates).  It is surprising how many large sailboats and trawlers are in here.  Mr. Lamb explained that he has to compete with the various "free docks" at downtown Elizabeth City.  His current problem is magnified by a temporary closure of the Dismal Swamp Canal due to a bridge replacement.

Sunset last night at out Alligator River anchorage.

The moon was setting as we raised the anchor.

We turned East and saw the sunrise. 

CODA BACK IN THE THE USA 2025 (93).

 CODA : Exploring northern North Carolina.  

13 April 2025 

Alligator River Deep Point North Anchorage,  Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina   

Osprey looking for prey.

Marc-  We spent 4.5 hours motoring north through the Pungo River to the Alligator-Pungo Canal and anchored at the Southern end of the Alligator River in the National Wildlife Preserve.  There is nothing here but nature.  Our anchorage is well protected from the 15-20 knot winds that would have made crossing Ablemarle Sound very uncomfortable.  After the wet and wild morning we had yesterday will will wait for the 10 knot southwest wind forecasted for tomorrow.

CODA BACK IN THE THE USA 2025 (92).

 CODA : Exploring northern North Carolina.  

12 April 2025 

Dowry Creek Marina, Belhaven, North Carolina   

Moonrise over Dowry Creek.

Marc-  We could not help ourselves this morning and so we just had to visit a few more boats before we left Oriental.  We enjoyed breakfast, coffee and a bagel, at The Bean.  It is quite the village gathering spot in the morning.  We moved Coda over to the fuel dock to top off the tank.  We also took on water.

The first course out of the Neuse River was good for sailing.  The remainder of the day was motoring into 15-20 knot winds from the North with four foot waves on Pamlico Sound. We did have a reprieve taking the land cut through Goose Creek past RE Mayo shrimp fishery.  The wind did calm done finally as we approached Dowry Creek.  Unfortunately two of our hatches were not closed tightly enough during the wave crashing on deck time period.  Those two hatches just happened to be over Michael's bunk in the guest cabin and my bunk in the forward cabin.  Thankfully Dowry Creek Marina has free washers and dryers.  They also have a first rate restaurant.

One last view of Oriental.

A new version of Michael's old boat.

These prices are crazy.

_____________________

A hummingbird gathering on our neighbor's boat.

Moonrise over Coda in Dowry Creek.

CODA BACK IN THE THE USA 2025 (91).

CODA : Well in to North Carolina.  

11 April 2025 

Oriental downtown docks, Oriental, North Carolina   

  

Oriental downtown docks where they just happened to be a boat show going on.

Marc-  We left Mile Hammock anchorage at 06:15 to arrive at the Onslow beach bridge in time for the 07:00 opening and timed it perfectly.  We passed through with a rather large cruising motor yacht behind us.  The weather was mixed, we had rain, headwind, thunderstorms at a distance, and then a stretch of sailing in Bogue Sound with favorable current.  It didn't last since we eventually changed waterways to find contrary current and contrary winds. 

 The best news came when I called the Oriental Marina manager who told me that he had found us a spot to tie up if we didn't mind being in the boat show since an exhibitor had cancelled.  We ended up in a terrific spot in the middle of everything right in front of The Bean coffee shop (they also have terrific ice cream - what could be better.  Two large ice cream cones for $4.50).  We went to visit some of the extravagant boats.  We also visited the "marine garage sale" tent.  The whole atmosphere is very low key and friendly in this self-proclaimed "sailing Capital of North Carolina".  Michael took us to a local restaurant called M&M that was excellent.  We returned to find the whole section of the harbor being used for the boat show cordoned off by the local Sheriffs (and they stayed on duty to guard all of the stuff as well).  They let us pass without a fuss.

Sunrise soon after passing through the Onslow beach bridge.

One of the brighter moments of the day passing a cruise ship in Morehead City.

There were some dark clouds hanging around as we passed through the Commercial fishing fleet docks in Oriental inner harbor.

We made it (no worries about the bowsprit overhanging the dock since there are no tides here).

There was even a quilter's tent.  I bought these beautiful napkins for Sue.

CODA BACK IN THE THE USA 2025 (90).

CODA : Discovering North Carolina.  

10 April 2025 

Mile Hammock Anchorage, USMC Camp LeJeune, North Carolina    

We are anchored at a military training base.

Marc-  We followed the ICW coastal route today from Carolina Beach to Camp LeJeune.  The route is protected by barrier islands and watered by many inlets along the way. These same inlets also create shoal areas that require maintenance dredging to keep the route passable.  We encountered several dredges at work today.  Two drawbridges caused some delay but not much.  We saw dolphins and pelicans all over.  We are anchored with 5 powerboats and we've been traveling with 4 of them over the last few days.  The Marine's have a drawbridge for access to the barrier island that is being replaced.  The construction crew limits boat passage prior to 07:00, between 12:00 to 13:00, and then after 17:00. We have set our alarms for 06:00.

Mother and baby dolphin in the ICW today.

Mile Hammock anchorage.

CODA BACK IN THE THE USA 2025 (89).

 CODA : Over the edge to North Carolina.  

9 April 2025 

Carolina Beach Mooring Field, Carolina Beach, North Carolina   

Coda is over to the right in the mooring field.

Marc-  Today was a relatively cold and blustery day.  We started out at 49 degrees and northeast wind at 20 knots.  A 20 knot headwind is not much of an issue is the narrow parts of the ICW where we spent 2/3 of our day.  Unfortunately we needed to go up the wide Cape Fear River to reach Snow's Cut.  It was rough with whitecaps and 2 foot waves and a 3 knot counter current as we entered and proceeded up river for the next 2 1/2 hours.  Instead of traveling at our usual 7 knots or above, we were making 4 knots and the boat was constantly covered in salt spray. Of course Coda with its big diesel just plows through this and we are inside of a cozy dry and warm pilot house.  The people on the few sailboats we passed looked absolutely miserable.  I had hoped to stop at the Carolina Beach State Park Marina at the entrance to Snows Cut but its entrance is not passable for Coda at low tide when we arrived.  We marched onward through the Cut to Carolina Beach and its beach front village.  

Nice start.

Coming out of the marina basin in Little River.  The lighthouse does distinguish it from other places.

The lighthouse sort of welcomes you from the ICW.

We managed somehow to pass this ship boat in the ICW this morning.  I know not why the shrimp boats like to travel with their arms out.

Our next encounter was a US Coast Guard body tenter and its barge doing

 aids to navigation maintenance. 

This is a rather large rig that can just hover in one place.  

They replaced a reflective panel on the green daymark.  

We encountered this ships in the upper Cape Fear River with calmer seas.     

A rather nice nautical display of fisherman trap boys at the Harbormaster's Office in Carolina Beach.

I should have included this in yesterday's blog where we found the turtles.

These loggerhead, Kemp's ridley, green and leatherback sea turtles can be found in South Carolina's near shore waters, or nesting on beaches from April through November.  

No turtles today only pelicans.

CODA BACK IN THE THE USA 2025 (88).

CODA : On the edge of South Carolina.  

8 April 2025 

Myrtle Beach Yacht Club, Little River, South Carolina   

Turtle sanctuary at Tortuga Island in Barefoot Landing complex.

Marc-  We continued on our northern trek today with 5 hours of travel and 2 hours of just waiting.  Most of the waiting was done at Barefoot Landing since the Barefoot Landing bridge was on a new schedule,  due to repairs, and the next opening was in 2 hours.  No problem, we just pulled over to a dock on the right for the the Barefoot Landing outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment complex to have lunch.

A dock just waiting for us.

Michael found us the Crooked Hammock Brewery restaurant for lunch,  It had some cool decor.

More decor.

Earlier today on the Waccamaw river, Michael carefully avoided this root ball deadhead in the middle of the channel.  A root ball deadhead (not to be confused with followers of the Grateful Dead band)  is a waterlogged log with its trunk and root system still attached partially floating in a waterway.

We really enjoyed visiting the turtles.

Turtles are fun to watch.

Later in the day at a place called Little River where we stopped for the night,  a turtle came to visit me while I was doing some woodworking on the boat.  If you look carefully you can see a few wood shavings.  The green things are pieces of romaine lettuce that I was feeding the turtle.  He, or she, seemed very happy about the lettuce.  

Who is this mysterious looking guy leaving Coda?

We have definitely been heading north.  It will be 40 something degrees tonight.  

Tomorrow we cross into North Carolina.  Burr!

 

CODA BACK IN THE THE USA 2025 (87).

CODA : Awaiting the storm / sitting still in South Carolina.  

7 April 2025 

Wacca Wache Marina, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina  

Diesel is $ 3.14 per gallon here.  You can be sure that we filled our tanks.

Marc-  The sky is still mostly gray, south wind 25 knots, without rain as yet.  We continue to get storm warnings but it seems to just pass us to the north.  The computer weather model  clearly shows that we are going to get it eventually.

It's coming west to east!  I am looking forward to cooler and drier weather.

We are well protected here in the Waccamaw River.

We started the day going out for breakfast with Craig and Donna Lewis.  Murrells Inlet has excellent breakfast restaurants and we went to one of the best.  Blue Sky was inexpensive and good.  It was great to spend some time with our friends.  They also drove us around for some shopping.  They will be coming up to Vermont in May this year for the summer.  

Ours friends John and Peggy Brewster came over to the Wacca Wache restaurant for lunch with us.  It was great to see them and hear about their recent cruise ship travels.  The food was good. I especially enjoyed the "butter-cake fruit and cream special".  A good time was had by all.