Bellhaven, NC

The weather keeps getting worse. We’re hoping no one went sailing in the ocean without re–checking the forecast. Even in the ICW there are spots that 15 knots of wind can make uncomfortable but the ocean conditions off NC (with 35 knots) are downright dangerous. With wind conditions, red is bad. See if you can spot the dangerous pattern in the picture below.

Mike was on two different conference calls while I navigated the Neuse River crossing with 15 knots from the North East. That was a VERY bumpy and slow slog. I can’t imagine how that must have sounded for the other callers. Later we had and equally slow but a little less bumpy crossing of the Pamlico River. Not an ideal travel day. We did see one river front house with a private helicopter in the yard. It doesn’t look like an easy or forgiving landing zone.

We tucked in behind the Bellhaven breakwater wall and anchored for the night. It’s windy, chilly and gray. We’ll stay through early afternoon and then get started toward the dreaded Albemarle Sound crossing. First we have to get under the Wilkerson Bridge which is notoriously short then get through the Alligator River Swing Bridge which doesn’t open in high winds. We’ve decide to do it late today because there looks like there will be a break in the wind across the Sound for a few hours. If the break doesn’t materialize, we’ll just anchor on the south side of the Sound and wait it out. We may get stuck in lots of ways today.

The plan is to head for Elizabeth City and take the Dismal Swamp route north. It will be the calmest option in this weather.