Wednesday October 27, 2010 - Norfolk to The Abacos

Jasen and I arrived the Waterside Marina as scheduled at about 8pm last night. After a short weather and routing briefing we went to Hooters for some wings, showered, and went to bed. We left the Waterside Marina at 4:45am amongst our Navy's finest collection of aircraft carriers, destroyers, and frigates. Due to a low pressure system and northeast winds we decided to avoid Cape Hatteras and take the ICW. The weather was calm, sunny, and winds were 10 to 12 knots. We caught 5 of 8 opening bridges and 1 locke which allowed us time for breakfast. The winds kicked up 30 to 35 knots as we entered the Albemarle Sound with waves 3 to 4 feet. We decided to lay over at the Alligator River Marina in Columbia, NC which we arrived in the dark at 7pm. All and all the first day went pretty well after 87 miles in 13.4 hours. Tomorrow we plan to depart at 6am for Orient, NC.