Sunday, we stayed put in Hampton. We went to the VA Air and Space Museum. We have a membership. We watched 3 IMAX movies and went for a walk. Later, on the boat, Larry watched the Patriots on TV while I made dinner and finished a painting.

Monday, began with a glorious morning. One of those mornings that you are grateful to be on a boat. Departed Hampton at 7:35. It was actually warm in the pilothouse. Larry even took his shirt off. I kept my polar fleece on…..as I believe most normal folks would have done. Thermometer read 63 for the highest. First delay, railroad bridge undergoing repairs, opening twice during the work day. We were there for the 11:30-12:30 opening…..what a mess….tugs and barges, large powerboats, sailboats, in both directions. Finally, got by that mess. Arrived at Top Rack marina for fuel. I had called to confirm they were open…..it’s late in the season…. yes they were. We had to tie up ourselves, as no one answered when we hailed them on channel 16. I ran up to the main building and was told the computer was being worked on so…..can’t pump fuel. I asked when they would be up and running; sometime today…..we left. Next came the Great Bridge Lock and Bridge. Well, we caught up to all the sailboats and tugs….tugs and barges have priority, so they enter the lock first….takes awhile for them to secure. Finally, we made it by the lock and bridge then fueled at Atlantic Yacht Basin marina. Stayed for the night. Walked to a Mexican restaurant for late lunch/early dinner. Walked to local strip mall and yes! The FarmFresh supermarket that had closed last summer is now a great Kroger. This is always a good stocking stop. That was a very pleasant surprise. Quiet night at AYB. Tugs and barges do go by all night long.

Tuesday was gorgeous but chilly. Left AYB at 7:55. Made the scheduled 8:30 bridge. Then had to slow it down….about 5 miles in 1/2 hour not going to happen. No sense beating the engine, especially after the extensive work we just had completed. Crossed Currituck Sound with wind on the stern, giving us a nice boost. Lizzie ok with that point of wind. And, oh, by the way, we are in North Carolina now….Arrived at Coinjock Marina by 2 PM. Wow, it was warm in pilothouse but once we stepped off boat, it was cold and breezy. Went to lunch at the restaurant onsite. Good lunch. Larry had oysters and said it was very good. I had the country steak which was prime rib, their speciality. Decadent but very good. Good food and reasonable too. Service was also very good. Settled in with heaters on….I worked on my IPad art…..too late to set up actual paints. Early start tomorrow…. Albemarle Sound is supposed to kick up in the afternoon.

Wednesday, departed Coinjock at 7:00. I hate crossing Albemarle Sound. If it’s nice, it just boring….if it’s windy, can be nasty. Started out early to avoid nasty. Several boats left early too. There seems to be more of us out here than I had expected this late in the season. 42 degrees in pilothouse. Easy crossing. Cold, my hands and feet do not warm up….I wear gloves too. Stew was on below, in the crockpot. Today we saw 2 bald eagles. One landed on a marker right next to us, dinner in its claws. It happened so fast that all I could grab was my iPhone, not my camera, and I shot through plastic. Anchored at the south end of the Alligator River, ICW mile marker 105. No where else we could make today. Anchor down by 2:00. Ran the generator ( aka genset ) to run heaters. Several sailboats anchored out too. It’s a popular spot due to proximity to next anchorage or marina. Awesome sunset. This place always has great sunsets, sunrises…. it’s in the middle of nowhere….

Thursday, great sunrise! It was a cold 38 in the pilothouse. I have everything on, polar fleeces, coat, gloves, scarf….We were anchored in good mud; thought Larry was going to have to go swimming as he raised anchor. Anchor up 7:35. Last night was coldest night on this boat yet. Today, went through the Alligator-Pungo Rivers Canal, a favorite. Usually, lots of birds. Minimal birds and no bear sighting this time. Tied up at RE Mayo for the night. This time NO bow thrusters at all. Larry again did an awesome job. He had to work on it but figured out that the new battery had popped a breaker and was not charging. Fixed it, starting charging….my hero again….

Friday, cast off at 7:25 from RE Mayo, which is really a fish market and dockage for large fishing boats/shrimpers. Nice but chilly morning. Sun feels great. Crossed the Neuse River, very flat. On Adams Creek Canal, crossing paths with quite a few large shrimpers. I get a big kick out of names on these boats plus the outriggers….Larry spotted the first palm tree. We play a game to see who spots the first palm tree.. Saw a sunken large shrimper, very creepy. Started to see some roof damage on houses….hurricane Florence? Tied up at Town Creek Marina, Beaufort, ICW mile marker 205, by 2:20. Walked to town and had a good lunch at Clawson’s . Really good coffee- won’t sleep tonight-lost track of time and started drinking it at 3:30….walked back from town and decided to do laundry at the marina. Winter storm Diego coming so we expect to be here until Tuesday and its going to rain heavily so decided to get laundry done tonight. Actually, quite pleasant. The marina decorated the front porch with lights. I sat there on a rocker, in the Lee of the building, while I waited. Very quiet and pleasant. My new coat kept me warm.

Saturday, the rain began. Larry ran out with the courtesy car to get a few groceries and get take out Italian from No Name, always good. I stayed on the boat so heaters could stay on. We do not ever leave the boat with a heater running. I got to work out in peace and quiet…..food was good and so much, I will have it tomorrow too. Raining all days, winds have not picked up too much. Occasional guts.

So ends our first full week this trip…..