Coinjock, NC to Pungo River, NC- Day 8

Day 8 - It's saturday now, and that means one week gone. It's been all good weather, and VERY relaxing...... well that all ended today.

     Last night at the bar we were told by the locals it may get really windy on saturday, and we dont want to be out in Albermarle Sound if there's more than 15 knots of wind. Well it sounded more like "If ya go out on the dock in the mornin, and yer hat almost blows off, just go back ta bed." Well I got up at 6am made coffee and there was almost no wind. Other boaters were up, and getting ready to cast off. So I got Chris up, and we were eager to get off to somewhere new. Off we went around 6:45am. The first hour was pleasant, 5 knots of wind, and just a tad chilly. Then the sun came up and it looked like a great day.  We werent in that damn sound more than 30 minutes and all hell broke loose. Wind kicked up to 20-25knots with 35knot gusts. We motored with just a half jib out for about 6 hrs, in what I call "washing machine" waves. They werent more than 3ft-4ft waves, but when they come from all different directions its not a fun day. A gust would come along and we would heel to port, and the rail would take the water from the waves and sloshl into the cockpit. When the wind let up a little we would straighten up, and rock back side to side, or hit waves head on. It's not dangerous in our boat, but it is very uncomfortable. Just ask the cat, he threw up 3 times. When I went down below and cleaned it up I almost lost it too. You know how you feel when your drunk and swaying, the world just kind of spins, and you  no longer balance? Walking is tough... well its much worse in this kind of chop. The boat is heeling to one side and jerks, and you fly into cabinets, and corners if you dont use a death grip on a hand rail. I'm not whining, I'm just trying to describe what it's like to people that don't sail. Those of you who do are cringing because you've had those days.

     The Chesapeake Bay has been good training for these type of days. It's a normal occurrence on the bay. Chris took the helm during this fun event, which was good because due to the shallow sound, and the chop becoming higher we kissed the ground for a few minutes, and had to furl in the jib like proffesional racers so we wouldnt get pulled further aground, or snap off our rudder. Then we looked on the map for a nearby anchorage to just hide for the night... lol. Nope the anchorages were in wide open areas that had the same chop. So onward... finally we got into the canal and away from the wind. Ahhh nice and calm again. Backwood Cyprus Swamps of NC are a welcoming site sometimes. We werent sure if we would make it to the next anchorage before sunset, so I asked mother nature for a few more minutes of daylight. No one navigates the ICW at night, unless you are an idiot or need some insurance money for wrecing your boat. Too many floating things to hit, shoals and hard to find markers. There are no towns, houses or lights on this section of the ICW. Plus when your near a place called "Alligator River" the last thing you want is a dark night in bad weather.  We were able to get to the next anchorage just as the sun set. It was lighter 10 min later than yest... mother nature must have heard me. :) The wind went away, and it was a beautiful calm night. Steaks on the grill, and rum drinks.... oh and one very happy cat :)

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