Cruising the Outer Banks

Tonight we are tied to one of the free slips in Elizabeth City NC, ready to head up the Dismal Swamp Canal, either tomorrow or Sunday, and then into Chesapeake Bay.

We were here back in November, with Dave Wyman aboard, and stayed 2 nights. We then spent several days exploring the western reaches of Abermarle and Pamlico Sounds. So when Riggs and I left Oriental NC (ICW mile 182) this past Wednesday we aimed Spray off the ICW, towards the eastern waters behind the narrow barrier islands that are the Outer Banks of NC.

Our first stop was Ocracoke NC, about a 40 mile cruise from Oriental, over wide-but-shallow waters that are typical here. We anchored in the Silver Lake anchorage and went ashore to walk around the island, which is accessible only by boat (including car ferries) or air. It was a bit touristy but still pre-season.

On Thursday we made a long run (60 miles or so) up Pamlico Sound to Roanoke Island and the town of Manteo. We liked this town better, with its nice waterfront park. Its probably very busy in summer but this time of year it was quite nice.

Today the NWS web site predicted 5-10 knot west winds on Abermarle Sound with 1 ft waves so we headed out to find 20 knot winds and 4 foot waves, fortunately on our nose so still tolerable. But it was a long bouncy run of 45 miles into the Pasquotank River and up to Elizabeth City (back on the ICW at mile 51). Now we have light SE winds that are making for a somewhat bouncy night in the slip. We originally planned 2 nights here but the winds are supposed to increase tomorrow so maybe we'll cruise upriver a bit and drop anchor. Stay tuned.