The Bridge To The Outer Banks

I know, I know...
It's raining and there's not much else to do than process and post a few photographs.

This was a nice night.
The wind stopped and the water became like glass. The full moon rising cast off the nice color.

Tomorrow will be Chesapeake, Va and Atlantic Yacht Basin. We need a few things and a few days to regroup so It's a good thing we want to lay low for a while. The Bay is pretty rough right now and predicted to stay that way for a week or so.
We're excited about coming back to the Chesapeake. It's been a few years and when we were last here we didn't do all we wanted. We'll be passing through pretty quickly on our way north, but we will stop at a couple of our favorite places on the way up.

Thanks for checkin' in.

Cheers,

Istaboa

When you find it...

Alligator River Marina.
Tucked away next to the Alligator River Bridge is one of those rare little places that... if you weren't looking for it... you would never stop.

This is our second time to spend a night here and this time the restaurant, that's behind the gas station, that's also a convenience store, was open.
The food was good and served on a plastic plate. Didn't matter, it was very good and the lady who cooked it and served us was very sweet and accommodating.

Not much in the way of pics for the Shell Station and Restaurant, but did get a couple of Istaboa and the bridge that crosses over to the Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, Hatteras National Park, and all the other stuff the Outer Banks has to offer.

Outer Banks, North Carolina is also a very quiet place. The marina was empty except for one other boat.
Logan, the Dock Master was there waiting and quick to help us tie up. The Marina is neat as a pin and tucked away enough to keep you safe from almost any weather.

Good food, quiet, clean, not crowded...  our kinda Marina.

Cheers,

Istaboa

Today's Pic

Evening skies over Dowrey Creek...

Our Boys In Blue

The USCG boarded us again... As usual, they turned out to be quite courteous and helpful. One young fellow pointed out that my engine room Fireboy fire extinguisher system needed charging... he was right.
The other Coastie kept Radar company while they went about their inspection.
Very nice young men.
These guys are really underfunded and an incredibly valuable asset to our country's defense. It's a shame we don't provide the support this branch of our Dept of Homeland Security requires to do it's job as well as it could be done.
Just in Morehead City alone on a sunny Saturday, these guys were in multiple emergencies at one time.

Then they left, we never slowed so the boarding didn't cost us any time.

Cheers,

Istaboa

Today's Pic

WInd Horse

When we pulled into Morehead City Yacht Basin, the first thing that caught my eye was this boat.

I've seen 'Wind Horse' in many magazines and read Mr. Dashew's blog on occasion. Knowing it was at the same marina, just walking distance away, was exciting.

This is not your father's long range cruiser. http://www.dashewoffshore.com/

We had to walk over to take a closer look and, of course, take a few photographs.

Not sure what to say about this boat, other than it's like no other we've ever seen. It's specs on the Windhorse site are incredibly interesting if you're into boats, no matter what kind of boater you are, you'll find this boat fascinating.

Rumor is, she's been sold and Mr. Dashew is building an 83' version of the same design.

Tonight we're in Belhaven, NC at Dowery Creek Marina. There's a beautiful full moon that just lit up the creek.

Today's run was a wet and rainy one. Uneventful, though we were boarded by the USCG.
Nice Kids.

Cheers,

Istaboa

Morning skies over Dowrey Creek 
 (shot taken Nov/2010)


Today's destination.

Weather appears to have moved offshore and we're ready to be places we haven't been.
Realizing we'd best get moving, we cast off and now making way to Belhaven, NC.

Da Boyz

 

Little Mud has adapted well to the boat life. 

Radar, as always, loves the docks,the folks, and life on the boat; but crank up and hit the thrusters, ... he's in the bed.

and down the dock was another nice fellow.

Boat neighbors

Always wanted to see this boat.


It's on the next dock here at Morehead Yacht Basin.

Today's Pic

With high winds and more of the above, we may get to know Morehead City better than we'd previously planned.

Dinner at Floyd's last night was as good as described by the folks at the marina.
Saturday night had the place jammed so we sat at the bar and enjoyed the company of locals. The bartender was a pro and the food was good. Very friendly folks here at Morehead City.

Thanks for checkin' in on us.

Cheers,

Istaboa