This was a missing post .... damn those web gremlins !! Miles:  0(nm)

     We had a problem with the site and now all my photos for my entries are MIA .... I am sad about that but Im sure when Chris has some spare time he will fix it. Life has been busy since we returned home. We are starting a boat rental company in our home town so we can have seasonal work and be able to be independent while cruising..... we shall see how it unfolds :) Wish us luck !!!! Miles:  0(nm)

Friday morning was beautiful. We were supposed to have light winds and decided to just do an over-niter to get home. Chris had taken a vacation day from work and was hoping to sail across to Tangier and then into home sweet home. We left around 9am and had a pretty smooth run out of Norfolk, Va. However once out into the bay the wind kicked up. We were almost on a beam reach, and the chop just got nasty. We decided to just sail up to Mojack Bay, and anchor in the East River. It ended up being a beautiful little place to anchor and good protection from SE winds. Miles:  0(nm)

        For the next few days the weather was reporting high winds and more tornado's. Since we had our brush with one already we decided not to push it. We were tied up well, had access to stores and restaurants, and Chris had good internet..... so no sense in leaving until the coast was clear. Miles:  0(nm)

     Early morning we gave Russell a knock so he could have his turn on the free dock ... we were sailing out. He looked a little rough .... he must have been out late. He did get up though and grabbed a spot. Chong was coming along with us so now the other dock was wide open ..... the gloves were off. I'm sure. We  took off up the Neuse River, and across a little corner on the Pamlico Sound headed toward Bellhaven NC. Late afternoon the winds picked up to about 25 ... and on the nose. It was a rodeo ride, and I thought it was awesome. Miles:  0(nm)

     Tuesday morning while sitting on the balcony having breakfast and coffee, we decided to stay in a slip at the marina to enjoy being just a step off of solid ground. I had a grocery run to do and some cleaning, and Chris liked being able to sit on the marina deck at the umbrella tables and work in the breeze. I tried like hell to get him to keep the condo for another day but he wasn't taking the bait. I would definitely settle for at least a slip. It would make the day much easier. Miles:  0(nm)

     Early in the am we made the short 5 miles across the Neuse River from Cedar Creek, and into the small "slice of paradise" they call Oriental NC. We decided to just anchor in the small basin directly in front of the OYC. Then we went ashore to stretch our legs by walking a mile to the local store for some much needed supplies. Like beer.... and cigarettes. Hey after last night they were completely necessary. :) On the way back we stopped into the "Oriental Marina and Inn" to get a slip for tomorrow. Miles:  0(nm)

     An early morning start. No bridges. Lots of current. Unfortunately for us, most of it was against us. We let Chong leave 45 minutes before us.... that was his handicap. Its nice to finally  not be the slowest boat. We past him about an hour later. It was funny but at one point I actually got waked by a sailboat... it had the wake of a Trophy Fisherman. The thing was almost 60ft long and is just way over powered. I guess that boat has the best of both worlds though... its a ketch, and a power boat. You meet all kinds on the waterway. Miles:  0(nm)

     We got up at 6:30am, and we were ready. Chong felt a bit "off" but he was up too, a little later than us but at least he got up.. Ortolan took off first, and called us once they were out of the inlet, to let us know if there was any wind out there. We got the green flag and took off. The inlet was a short easy ride, which is why we love this inlet. There was about 12 knots blowing on almost a beam reach... not bad. The reason we went out was to sail to Beaufort. Chris was a happy camper... and put the jib and main out. That only gave us 4 knots.. Miles:  0(nm)

     We got lucky. Last  night was calm as calm could be. We were up at 6am this morning, waiting for the slack tide ....because it just makes it easier to pull up two anchors. I made coffee, and Chris did the "man handling" with all that chain.... and mud.... while being bitten by no-seee-ums. We wanted an early start since the weather changed, and now we had a 40 percent chance of being hit with a thunderstorm. The wind was supposed to be 5-10 from the Southwest, but turned out to be 10-15 with gusts to 20 from the East. Oh.. Miles:  0(nm)