The Calm Seas: 

• Entering the AICW (Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway)
• Family – Stopping in Washington, NC and meeting up with Beth and Mark

The Rough Waters:

• FLIES!
• The price of diesel!

First Lock!

Coinjock, NC

A right of passage seems to be stopping at Coinjock Marina and Restaurant in Coinjock, NC. They are well know for their convenient location, directly on the ICW, and  Prime Rib dinner.  Coinjock did not disappoint with delicious Prime Rib, Orange Crushes and super easy to dock.  We were the first boat on their face pier and they certainly line up the boats – tightly!  Somehow, I missed taking the picture of how close the boats were?

Belhaven, NC

Leaving Coinjock, we were planning on a quick ride to an anchorage to rest and do some chores.  However, once again, we had beautiful conditions so we kept moving south.  We found an anchorage off the Alligator River in Tuckahoe Creek.   It proved to be  great location with a good holding.  Two other sailboats were anchored but it was the darkest place with the calmest water we have ever seen. Needless to say no chores were done due to the beauty and peacefulness of the evening.   Inner peace was found getting up up early to see the star filled sky turn bright orange with the sunrise.  The next morning we moved on to Belhaven, NC.  We anchored in the Pungo River – Pangtego Creek leaving us a short dinghy ride into town.  Belhaven is an adorable, small town that offers an amazing Ace Hardware and a few stores and restaurants.  Not much to do, but enough for us.  Lots of credit to this town for welcoming boaters with a great public dinghy dock, welcome center, bike center and tons of information.   Of course we walked to check out some neighborhoods and main street.  The Tavern at Jack’s Neck was a fabulous stop for dinner and beers and the dinghy ride back to the boat provide us a gorgeous sunset!

Washington, NC

After leaving Belhaven, we ventured off the ICW to a side trip to Washington, NC.   From the Pamlico Sound we turned west and traveled 40 miles up the Pamlico River.   Washington City was was a perfect three day stop, but by far the best was visiting the Greenville, Oliveira’s.   It was probably nothing short of a miracle to get three adult children in the same spot to visit with us!   It was a lovely evening visiting them all at the Pitt St. Brewery  which has definitely become our favorite so far.   Our dinghy davit winch broke, so we biked to Harbor Freight to get a new one.  Even though we insisted we did not need a car, Beth dropped one off for us and the next day  we utilized it filling the trunk with bags from Walmart and Lowes.   Mark took us to  Goose Creek Park, where we biked down various paths to extremely beautiful and peaceful locations.  Then, Beth cooked us a delicious homecooked meal.  Washington City docks offers 48 hours free stay to encourage boaters to come and dine and play!  Downtown Little Washington, the waterfront, the dock and amenities were certainly welcoming, clean, convenient and fun.