Wrightsville Beach,NC-Coinjock,NC

Hi All,

We have been tearing up the miles the last couple of days. After leaving Wrightville Beach we did the ICW, due to the forecast of northeast winds, and went 78+mi to a great anchorage called Spooners Creek. Robin and I stopped there on our way down in late Oct. "Aftermath" with Bob & Maryann, who were "buddy boating" with us since Annapolis, Md., had done this trip many times so we followed them into this spot. Not "pristine" by any stretch considering there were some pretty big houses with large boats in this lagoon but it had a certain quiteness and very well protected from the wind. The way we hooked up with Aftermath happened in the anchorage at Chesapeake City, Del. on the 2nd night of our trip south. This guy comes by in his dinghy and says " are you really from Bradley Beach?" after reading our hailing port on the back of our boat. Turns out he is from Ocean Twp. a few miles from us. One thing leads to another and we end up next to each other at anchor in Annapolis, Md. two days latter. We have them aboard and find out that he started surfing when I did back in the the mid-60's. Of course we know all them same people.... and the rest is history. We ended up staying together all the way to the South Carolina/Georgia border and needless to say picked up valuable insights/tips from the crew of Aftermath.
Back to the present... we anchored in the Pungo River just before the entrance to the Pungo-Alligator River Canal. Just another beautiful boring anchorage!!! Up at 0530 we transited the canal and around 1200 crossed the "dreaded" Albemarle Sound. Two years ago while bringing the boat up from Ft Lauderdale, with my brother-in-law Fred and good friend Gary Church we encountered the worst conditions this 12mi wide body of water could dish out! Winds were gusting to 50kts out of the north/northeast(as the NWS forecast was calling for 15-20mph).
5 1/2 hours later we found calm conditions in the lee of the North River, which is the beginning of the Virgina Cut ending in Norfolk, Va. This time it could have been called "Lake Albemarle" as we motor across in dead calm conditions. The day was completed as we pulled up to the Coinjock Marina and tied up to the dock. By the way this was our first marina since Charleston,SC. Showers/laundry were in order and on to dinner.
All for now,
Corbett and my fastead crew, Joe & Frank