A Long Day Rewarded

Coinjock to Belhaven  |  10.1 Hours  |  76.4 Miles  

Even with a 6:00 am wakeup call, the morning began 56% better than yesterday -- the outside temperature was 39 and not 25. We were on deck at 6:50 unplugging power and untying dock lines in the day's first light. Once off the dock, I snapped a few photos of the morning's reflections. As we eased into the North River, a thin layer of fog hovered above the water.  

Heavy cloud cover muted the early stages of the sunrise, but the soft pastel colors were no less dramatic. Eventually the sun rose high enough to find a gap in the thick cloud bank. We entered Albemarle Sound appreciative of the flat water and clear sky, but very aware of the predicted deterioration of travel conditions.

By the time we reached the Alligator River swing bridge, the sky had darkened and the building wind was creating waves. A call to the most boater-friendly bridge tender on the ICW initiated the perfectly-timed opening of the span. We didn't even have to slow down as we passed right through the gap. A glance above the tender's house showed flags flying stiff in wind. Our passage up the Alligator River was wobbly as the following sea rolled us gently from side to side.

On cue as we entered the Alligator-Pungo Canal, the sun reappeared and the wind disappeared, blocked by the trees. It was a scenic view from the stern in the afternoon's golden light. Even the tannin-dyed water took on a favorable glow. Nine hours into our day, we finally saw another boat.    

We exited the canal into the Pungo River as the sun was quickly setting. As we made the final turn into the very familiar anchorage at Belhaven, the sun had descended to the treetops setting the sky on fire. While following previous tracks to our "spot," I stood in the lee of the pilothouse and admired the the sunset's reflection in the window.

We maxed out our travel day, underway from first light to last light. The extended sunset was a great reward to a long day. Tonight, the generator is running great and all is comfortable onboard. We'll have another early wake up call in the morning, anxious to cross the Pamlico Sound and Neuse River before the arrival of stormy weather.