Each spring we go inside the IntraCoastal Waterway at the Beaufort NC and hop outside again at Norfolk VA

This usually starts with leaving Carolina Beach NC about noon, motoring to Wrightsville Beach NC and going out to the ocean there. From there we raise the sails point north and hopefully get the opportunity to turn off the engine and enjoy a night of quiet uneventful sailing. Which is exactly what we got this year.

When the sun was starting to rise the next morning we turned the engine on because we were just about at the “safe water marker” for the Beaufort Inlet. In we go, bypassing Beaufort NC which is a popular stop for good reason, and making our way up the ICW to Oriental NC.

Oriental NC

This year we were only in Oriental for a couple of days, we could have used one of their lovely Free Docks, but in the end we prefer to anchor out just incase we have the opportunity or the need to stay longer than the 48 hour limit on the free dock. We do our best to darken the door of The Bean and always end up in the Inland Waterway Provision Co. Store which are both right at the dinghy dock. We also end up visiting the grocery store, hardware store, and a few other stops.

This time I was able to get a good set of herb plants to get my herb garden started.

Belhaven NC

We then moved to Belhaven NC, mostly for that replacement water pump but also for yet another new alternator. The Advanced Auto Parts near the free dock in Belhaven, in the same parking lot as the grocery store, will allow you to have packages sent there and we certainly darkened that door several times for quite a few packages.

First was the relay of our Mail from Saint Brendan’s Isle Mailing Service, this included our PredictWind DataHub and other random things.

Second was a replacement pump I was able to find on eBay for half price. Still new in the box. And it went on like a breeze. Then a new alternator which isn’t working like I want but we’re at least making some electricity when the motor is on.

During all of this waiting for mail we found ourselves using the dinghy to go to Bad Mom’s Coffee day after day after day. I am very happy with the way the new owners have changed the place up a bit. And of course many runs to the grocery store.

Finally after two and a half weeks it was time to move on.

The Alligator River

Our next stop was the base of the Alligator River just off Deep Point where we anchored after a Saturday of motoring. One of the nice things about the Alligator River that is nice is that there is NO signal for just about anything. So it’s a good place to turn just about everything boat wise off and turn on a Shortwave Radio to see what you can find out there on the air waves. In the past it’s also been a great place to disconnected from the world without cell phone connectivity. Or in my case stress about one of my students needing me and catastrophe happening (mostly my boss being upset that I wasn’t available has been the fear). These days sparking up the Starlink Satellite Internet is all that is needed to check in and be sure that all is okay with the world of work.

The North River

Our next stop after another day of motoring all day was a spot we like to anchor in the North River. Most folks try to make it all the way to Coinjock Marina but we like to save our pennies and anchor in this area instead. The anchorage is huge, 10 foot depths forever, and if the wind is right it’s simply perfect.

Our Practical Stop in Chesapeake VA at the Great Bridge

There are two free docks in Chesapeake VA one on either side of the Great Bridge which we’ve always had good luck with and enjoyed stopping at. This time was no different. With bike rides for diesel and propane, a big laundry run to the laundromat that takes cards on the machines themselves which eliminates the need to hunt for quarters, and a pleasant and productive stop at the grocery store.

This is the stop to really stock up on things at since everything is so convenient and with the free dock you don’t need to worry about getting things in and out of the dinghy.

A few hours to our staging area at Hampton VA

Our boat full of what we needed for our next big hop we moved the boat to Hampton VA where we could wait for the perfect (or good enough) weather to head back into the ocean and turn north once again this time all the way up to Atlantic Highlands NJ which is usually about 50-60 hours.k