Day 104-109/1,196 Statutory Miles Covered: Pungo River Anchorage/Coinjock/Portsmouth,VA

Neptune, Prime Rib and the end of the ICW.  We have been holding off on doing a lot of anchoring as we wait for warmer weather to catch up with us but as we made our way up the Pungo River it was clear to see there would be no better time or place.  Finding our way into a well protected basin we quickly found ourself with four other boaters.  It what can only be described as one of the most stunning sunsets that Neptune can provide it was truly the prefect ending to a great day of boating.

But what Neptune gives he also takes away!  The next day we powered our way off the hook and off to a new day making our way north straight into Albemarle Sound.  Now Albemarle Sound should take an hour for us to cross but our old friend Neptune god of the Sea decided we were not paying enough attention and were not paying proper respect.  So he decided to give us four foot seas straight into our starboard beam.  Giving us almost three hours of 30 degree pitching.  Message delivered!!! So now not only do we check and recheck our course for the next day we check and recheck with NOAA for upcoming weather.  When coastal cruising you learn one thing prepares you for the next thing.  With the Chesapeake Bay and a run up the New Jersey coast line in our future we will put the lessons of Albemarle Sound to good use. After leaving Albemarle Sound we made a short run to Coinjock home of the greatest Prime Rib known to man.  But if I'm being honest at that moment we could care less about Prime Rib we just wanted to shake off a rough day.  Shower, food and sleep!

After checking in with NOAA we decided the smart thing was to get a late start as we made our to Portsmouth VA as the weather would be getting better as the day went on.  So we slid off the dock around 10:00 and made way for a three day stop for the Memorial Day weekend.  Along the way we got to go through a lock for the first time at the Great Bridge Lock.  With great excitement the lock tender lifted us eight inches!  Eight inches?!?!  Are you kidding me?!?!  Oh well onwards we go!  As we pulled into Portsmouth we got to pass a long line of Navy war ships on the Norfolk side of the channel.  Really something to see.  First it does make you proud and second glad there on our side. Portsmouth has proven to be a great stop. It has given us a chance to clean and restock the boat. Portsmouth also marks the end of the ICW and the beginning of the Chesapeake Bay.  

Click Here    for Pix from Pungo Anchorage, Ablemarle Sound & Coinjock

Click Here for Norfolk/Portsmouth



Norfolk/Portsmouth Pix Here