New Bern, NC to Hampton, VA to Deltaville, VA July 19 -- 31

     We didn't have much faster progress returning to the East Coast than Harald was having with the brightwork.  Rent House issues, etc., significantly delayed our return, but finally we arrived in Bridgeton just after Harald finished his beautiful handiwork on our teak!  Again, trying to move ahead of deteriorating weather, we departed Bridgeton July 19 and made a long day run up Pamlico Sound inside the Outer Banks (avoiding Alligator-Pungo canal, Alligator River, etc.).  We anchored in Croatan Sound, and had a bouncier night than ideal because the wind was SE, and not SW as forecast.  The next morning we crossed Albemarle Sound, and arrived early afternoon in Coinjock, NC.  This is our first time to actually stay overnight there and partake of their renowned prime rib; it was indeed special.  The next day we made a short passage into Virginia, stopping in Chesapeake at Atlantic Yacht Basin.

     The following day we moved up the Elizabeth River through the conglomeration of multiple bridges that is Norfolk-Portsmouth.  We slipped past the Norfolk Naval Station between the arrival of one submarine and the departure of another.  Across the entrance channel coming from sea into Norfolk was our destination--another we had never visited--Hampton, VA.  We stayed at a nice public dock, and enjoyed unwinding and touring area attractions.  The Virginia Air and Space Center associated with NASA and Langley AFB was very interesting, and we also found a store of a dying breed--a stationer, well-stocked with fine writing papers and beautiful fountain pens.  Alas, as courtesies such as written correspondence are supplanted by electronic communication, the ability of such small niche businesses to survive is vanishing.  While I was not enamored by Hampton's Saturday night block party, some of the downtown eating establishments were outstanding!  Marker 20 served a spicy "Atlantic Jambalaya" (with asparagus spears in it) and a delicious paella that comprised a couple (enough for 2 meals) of the best meals we've had all year.

     After four nights in Hampton (stay 3, get one free) we departed for Deltaville, a favorite stop we've visited several times.  We stayed at Dozier's Regatta Point Marina, and retrieved our car from New Bern.  A car is almost essential if one is going to spend much time in Deltaville, as, other than boatyards, there is little in town.  There is always a great parade of transient boats passing through, however, and so we met many new boating friends. 

Hampton Public Piers Office

Virginia Air & Space Center

Virginia Air & Space Center

Jacksonville, FL to New Bern, NC May 1 -- May 7

     After two months in a wonderful marina (Ortega Landing) in Jacksonville, with numerous side car trips to places like Stuart, St. Augustine, Amelia Island, and Corpus Christi, we began to move north.  We had about had our fill of the shallow Atlantic ICW on our previous journeys, so this one entailed a lot more offshore time.  We moved over to Mayport, the area just off the Atlantic on the St. John's River entrance toward Jacksonville, and at dawn the following morning headed offshore bound for the Cape Fear Inlet at Southport, NC.  Other than some choppy seas the first few hours, it was a delightful passage with a near full moon.  We arrived in Southport late the following afternoon, and tucked into the same slip which we occupied for so long last winter.  It was good to see the great Southport Marina staff again, and even some townspeople we had met on our previous stops there.

     As the weather appeared to be deteriorating, we didn't stay long, but moved up the Cape Fear River and then offshore again at Wrightsville Beach.  That same afternoon we arrived at the Beaufort Inlet, and docked at another of our favorite spots, Morehead City Yacht Basin.  We had a delightful dinner at nearby Floyd's Restaurant, and after a couple of days we moved up the Neuse River to New Bern, NC.  New Bern, and Edenton, NC which we visited a couple of years ago, are where just about all of "pre-Revolutionary War" Carolinas history took place.  We actually stayed in a more remote marina across the river from New Bern in the small town of Bridgeton.  It is a great facility, but not much is going on in Bridgeton.  Since we retrieved the car from Jacksonville, that didn't pose too great a limitation, and we were able to adequately sightsee the area and the city of New Bern.  While there, I had engaged a brightwork expert, Harald Christianson, to refresh Texas Ranger's cap rails.  After riding out the rather non-eventful Tropical Storm Ana, we headed home to Texas for family reunion, visits with kids and grandkids, weddings, etc., while Harald tried to work between all of the rainy days that the New Bern area endured during May and June. 

On Watch

On Patrol

I See You!