Blue Angel Airshow

Photo: Navy's Blue Angels flying down the Severn River. 

Annapolis, Maryland

We first sighted Thomas Point lighthouse at 2:30pm 5 miles in the distance. Now we knew we were getting close to Annapolis! Passed by the lighthouse at 3:45p. We saw the Chesapeake Bay Bridge ten miles away at 3:05pm. What great sights!!

After covering 75 miles, Compass Rose hooked on to a mooring ball in Annapolis harbor at 4:30p Sunday.

Caught a taxi for Mothers' Day dinner at Kim's.

"Speeding" North

After a delightful three days in the OBX, we departed at 7:30am and crossed Albemarle Sound towards the Virginia Cut route. We are anxiouis to get home by Sunday (Mothers' Day) so we kept going until dark. We tied up to a free dock just south of the Great Bridge Lock.

The next day (Sat) we departed the dock just as the Great Bridge bridge opened at 6am. Continued up through Norfolk and the many bridges there. Much better to travel through there on a weekend when there are less rush hour restrictions. Entered the Chesapeake Bay at 9:10am and rode the tide up to the Potomac River. We covered 101 nm this day, a new record.

Departed the Potomac (Smith Creek) at 7am into a very rough river. The wind was blowing 15-20 from the east and the tide was running out. The seas were easily 5-6 ft. Things calmed down after rounding Pt Lookout.

Midway up the Bay, we noticed a large 'blip' on the radar behind us; looking out the read window we say the USNS Comfort no more than 1/4 mi away. We imediately turned hard starboard. Not sure what he had in mind....

Photo: USNS Comfort close abeam

The Outer Banks of N.C.

Pulled into Pirate's Cove Marina in Manteo, NC right on time (1630). Sally was there to meet us. After tieing up the boat, we went to the beach house on Nag's Head she was renting. This is your typical old (1920's) house with wrap around porch and wood storm shutters. Wooden floors that creak but indoor plumbing. Sally was staying there with her friends Lex, Mary and Roxanne. Photo: The house and our hosts in Nag's Head

We planned on spending two days enjoying the Outer Banks. However, an approaching weather systems 'forced' us to stay an extra day. Drove down to Cape Hatteras and saw the lighthouse (from a distance). Photo: Sally and John


Photo: J & P chilling out in Nag's Head

The Outer Banks of Duck, Nag's Head and Kill Devil Hills have done a magnificent job of managing the growth and building on the beach. There are no high rise buildings and very few motels. The large houses are all reminicent of the Delaware and Jersey shore in the 50's.

Photo: Wright Brothers Memorial

Wrightsville, NC and Onward

Since we 'lost' four days due to the side trip to Pensacola, we decided to put as many miles under the keel each day as possible. We won't stop at Beaufort, NC.

John's sister Sally (the pretty one!) has rented a house on the beach in Nags Head, NC with three other friends and we plan on spending a day or two with them. The plan is to do 65-75 mi a day and arrive at Manteo, NC on Tuesday.

Photo: Ominous sign approaching Camp Lejeune, NC on the ICW.

Pensacola, FL and Back

Drove to the funeral in Pensacola, FL. Took a day and a half to drive the 830 miles. We drove past many of the places we had passed on the ICW (Beaufort, SC; Savannah, GA; Hilton Head, SC; Jacksonville, FL). Thought we had left Florida for good! (Just when you think you're out, they pull you back...).

It was great seeing all of the family and friends, even under these circumstances. Left Pensacola at 3 pm Friday and drove straight through to Carolina Beach, arriving at 3:30am. Long drive....

Used the rental car to run errands and go shopping on Saturday and left the marina around 2pm. Only went 10 mi and dropped anchor at Wrightsville Beach, NC. Same place we stopped last year...didn't get off the boat though.

Things We Didn't See on the ICW

Some photos of things we passed while driving but missed on the ICW. Taken at South of the Border

Carolina Beach, NC

Transited the Cape Fear River up towards Wilmington, NC on an outgoing tide. Loyal bloggers may remember our trip down the river last November when we were doing 12.2 kts with the tide. Timing is everything....this time we were doing just 5.9 kts "up hill".

Pam has been awaiting news of the passing of her Aunt Miriam for the past ten days. Miriam passed away this morning in her sleep. We have put the boat in Oceana Marina in Carolina Beach, NC and rented a car for the drive to Pensacola. After Friday's funeral we will drive back and continue north on Sunday.

Miriam was 90 years old and lived a full and wonderful life. She has four children, eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. We will miss her and her playful spirit.

Photo: Miriam and her immediate family. We all gathered at her 90th birthday celebration in August 2005.

Another Compass Rose!!

A number of times in the last few days we heard someone calling Compass Rose on the radio but no one was in sight. Finally, we figured out that there was another trawler with the same name. Last night we anchored near Calabash, NC and so did they!

As we continued along, this got pretty confusing to bridge tenders and other boats!