It continues to amaze us

Today is our second day in Oriental, NC. We don't want to leave. What a great place. Adirondack chairs to lounge in, a great tiki bar, showers with towels, soap and shampoo, a marine store a half block away, a coffee bar across the street. It just doesn't get better than this.

At anchor in Broad Creek, a very
beautiful and secluded paradise

We left Coinjock and journeyed to Broad Creek where we hunkered down to wait out some nasty winds that were creating havoc on Albermarle Sound. We wound up staying two nights at anchor. It was a beautiful anchorage but very isolated. It really gets dark at night there. Broad Creek was just what it sounds like... a creek that gets broad. The creek winds back and forth through the sea grass and brush and eventually you come across a wide spot where the water is deep enough that you can anchor and not get stuck in the mud. Although the wind was blowing pretty hard, the anchorage was well protected so we didn't bounce around at all. 

Sunrise on the Alligator River

Les Miserables following the "smart
boat" from Alligator River Marina

The Alligator River Cut. 21 miles of
straight waterway.

A Conga line of boats heading to
Oriental. There were 12 altogether.

On day two, we got our weather window and headed down to Alligator River Marina. There we reunited with folks we met in Norfolk, Wiley and Merry on Les Miserables, from Chicago. They were stuck with us waiting for the Gilmerton Bridge to open in the Elisabeth River. After leaving Alligator River Marina, we traveled together to Dowry Creek Marina and then to Oriental. Very enjoyable folks. They regarded us as the smart boat people because they took a wrong turn on the ICW at Norfolk, and someone at the marina suggested they follow us (like we knew where we were going). Hence, we were the smart people. We've been blessed to meet so many great people. While at Dowry Creek Marina we were invited to a pot luck dinner for Jack who was celebrating his 13th birthday. What a hoot. His parents, Christie and Mike were so interested in our trip and are planning their own adventure as a result. Cool. It just keeps getting better every day. 

Life in an Adirondack chair in Oriental, NC. A beverage, sunshine, Marg,
It just doesn't get any better than this. 

So tomorrow we are off to Morehead City. A short trip of about 20 nm. I don't know much about the area but I am sure it will be another great stop on the waterway to Florida. Stick with us for more installments of Dick and Marg's excellent adventure.