Oriental to Albemarle Sound (Durant Island Anchorage)

     Given the very rough trip we had across the Neuse River we decided to get moving early before the wind came up, pushing the water into those steep waves we experienced crossing to Oriental yesterday.  We were lifting anchor and moving as soon as there was enough light to see the crab pots.

                                                         Sunrise on the Neuse River
                                                                                                                                             

                                                                               
     We glided smoothly out past the sleepy little trawlers and sailboats that sought refuge from the waves.  As we exited into the river we could see there were no white caps because there was no wind.
It seemed to be working......until......about an hour out....the wind came up and so did the waves...not quite as bad as the day before....see the linked video.  Water over the windshield...up and down...bang...bang....bang.   What the hell....the wind wasn't supposed to come up until 9:30 or 10:00 NOT at 06:30.   The boat was handling it well, but Beth got that worried pale look on her face.
 "I can take this as long as the boat doesn't start rolling side to side", she said.
I couldn't allay her fears much when I had to admit that we would turn side to the waves for a short period as we turned up into Pamlico Sound.  Doc's Holiday rolled a bit but the ride was much smoother and the boat settled down to a gently rocking motion.....Whew!  Once again Doc's Holiday took care of us.

                                                                                

     In the tight channels the waves and wind were not an issue.  It was another relaxing ride and the wind died.  We were able to get Doc's Holiday up on plane crossing over Pamlico Sound. Although, we are not used to going that fast the mechanics have been cautioning me to get the motors up to temperature, which might stop them from weeping oil.
      As we were running at our usual hull speed the radio cracked to life.  "Doc's Holiday. This is the motor yacht the Black Knight requesting to pass on your port side."  I slowed up and pulled over to the starboard side.

                                                                               

      What a beautiful boat!  It is a 1968 Eldridge built by two brothers in Boothbay Maine.  It was the flagship for the New York City Yacht Club, now owned by "The Black Knight", I guess....who is he?  Someone suggested a golfer.  At any rate he had just gotten married and was taking the boat north to get the varnishing touched up. 
     We covered 100 statute miles and were able to pick our way in through many crab pots to solidly anchor in 6 feet of water off of Durant Island, entering  Abelmarle Sound.  A few cocktails and I got to work tightening up the packing glands as they were just dripping too much.  Tomorrow could be harrowing since Abelmarle sound is reported to be worse than the Neuse River.

                                       Sunset at our anchorage behind Durant Island