We have been working our way north for the past two weeks, and are currently in the Chesapeake Bay. The first day out of Charleston we took the ‘outside’ route, which means we went into the ocean instead of the ICW. If weather conditions permit, the ‘outside’ route can be much more relaxing than the ICW. In the ocean we set the auto helm and sit back and enjoy the ride. The biggest concern is watching for crab pot floats that could foul our props/shafts. We saw more sea turtles than boats that day, and we covered an easy 75 miles.
Since that day we have stayed on the inside route, which means traveling along the Intracoastal Waterway (also known as ‘the ditch’). This route requires much more attention and steering. The ICW meanders through marshes and behind barrier islands, but provides excellent protection from wind and waves. We have happened upon some interesting toys in the past week.
The jet pack hoverboard wins the award! I think I would like to try this one day...we’ll be sure to get pictures if I do!
This new type of wind surfer also looks fun, but seems like a lot of work! I can’t imagine myself getting up on that tiny board. I watched this guy for a long time (he was practicing where we were anchored), and each time he fell it took a significant effort to get up again. I just think it would be easier with a bigger board.
Wrightsville Beach is a wonderful place to anchor, with plenty of room and beautiful beaches nearby. There is also a lot of free entertainment in the ‘people watching’ category. Wrightsville beach had the youngest boating population I have ever seen, which isn’t necessarily a good thing...
There were a lot of kids behaving very dangerously, and this wasn’t even Spring break!
The ICW does offer a lot of interesting sights.
Clearly, Miss Melissa will never float again.
This deer changed her mind half way across the channel and turned around to return to the western shore. We ended up putting the boat in neutral while she swam back and forth in front of us.
Always blessed when an eagle visits.
Love those swing bridges! This pic lets you appreciate why the ICW is called the ditch.
I know it seems as though I have a thing for osprey nests...that’s because I do! I have often wondered how the species survived before ATONS (aids to navigation) existed. Anyone who spends any time on the water is familiar with osprey nests built on channel markers, boats, bridges, or people will even erect nest stands for these birds. WHY? Why do the majority of ospreys refuse to nest in trees? Well, I found an old fashioned osprey nest, with and old fashioned osprey in it...probably sitting on eggs.
Not sure how this happened, but I hope they can recover during the next high tide.
I have never seen a town that built a huge breakwater system to protect the harbor from strong winds and large waves, until we visited Belhaven, NC. We planned a visit to Belhaven, because they had a Walgreens a few blocks from the water and I needed my second Covid vaccine. In the end that plan didn’t work, as the pharmacist said, “sorry for the confusion, but only big towns carry Pfizer...that’s the one that needs special freezers.”
Belhaven is definitely a small town, but they really take care of boaters. In addition to a protected harbor...they have a free dock...
We were the only boat tied up to the free dock, where you are allowed to stay for 72 hours...NICE!
Time to find a big town...oh, we are almost to Norfolk, VA
I love passing through Norfolk! The ships are amazing! As we were cruising along in the Whaler I asked Keith, “do you think it is alright to take pictures”...his response, “it’s fine, you could get a room in the Hilton and get pictures of every rivet on those ships if you wanted.”
Do you see the man standing to the left of the flag? He was holding a very large gun, and he made it very clear that he did not want me taking any more pictures of his ship. He gave me the ‘sweeping finger to the side of the neck’ gesture. YIKES...I hope I’m not on the ‘no fly list’ now.
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