5/2/13

From Beaufort, NC we headed to Oriental.  About 20 miles or so on the ICW to our friend's Don & D's dock in Oriental.  Stopping to visit with Don and D is always fun - games, dinners, boatyard tours, campfires.  There are so many people passing through at Don and D's and so many activities.  D was entertaining 8 cousins/relatives when we were there.  D is like the Energizer bunny - there's no limit to what she can do!  Don was busy working on their sailboat, "Southern Cross", on the hard at Sailcraft Marina.  A 5 minute bike ride from their house.  Speaking of bikes, Don & D have a collection of bikes that we used when we were there.  It is a pleasure to be able to hop on a bike and ride around the streets of Oriental.  To see more of what's going on in Oriental you can check out towndock.net.  I also took advantage of Don & D's backyard to do some sail repair.

Karen sews in Don & D's yard, Persephone's black mast to the left in the background.

The second day we were at the dock Donna & Jerry on Bluejacket sailed in.  We had not seen our lifesavers since the Bahamas.  What a joy to catch up on hugs and stories.  They stayed at another couple's dock - Tom and Joyce's (their boat is on the hard in Maine awaiting a summer of northern cruising).  Tom & Joyce not only hosted Donna & Jerry at the dock but invited everyone over for dinner a couple of nights at their house.  Thanks so much! 
We continued our reunion with Bluejacket by sailing together from Oriental to Ocracoke on the Outer Banks of NC.  There's nothing like having the time to sit around and talk, play board games, and dine onboard with Donna & Jerry.  The quiet setting and relaxed schedule (none) was perfect. 

Persephone & Bluejacket at Silver Lake, Ocracoke.

Donna & Jerry at the beach on Ocracoke

Jerry & Karen

Jerry on the dune looking out at the Atlantic Ocean

Our rental bikes for exploring the island.

An egret taken from the nature trail boardwalk looking west.

We said our "See you agains" to Donna & Jerry Saturday night and left Ocracoke on Sunday. 
15 hours of motor sailing up the Outer Banks, across the Albemarle, and arriving at a perfect spot after dark.  The next morning we were off again, another long day motor sailing the Currituck Sound and through Norfolk, trying to be in the right place at the right time.  The weather forecast "promised" se winds for Tuesday to sail up the Chesapeake.  That would be perfect! 
We woke up Tuesday morning from our anchorage at Old Point Comfort and started motor sailing into the wind, against the current, with almost half-mile visibility in the fog on the Chesapeake.  I guess weather forecasts are never promises.  We were rewarded with a short day, only 9 hours or so to arrive in Deltaville, VA.  We always stop to visit with Ryan and Kari here aboard Valkyrie.

Jerry returns from his walk.  Valkyrie at the dock.

It was only a few months ago that Ryan organized Jerry's return flight to NY to the hospital and Kari's flight to Nassau to join me on Persephone.  Another heartfelt reunion.

Kari's dock garden

Persephone off in the distance toward the left, a short dinghy ride to Valkyrie at the dock to the right.

So, here we are in Deltaville enjoying Ryan & Kari's company, walking the streets of Deltaville for exercise, waiting for the NE winds to come around to the south for our continued journey north.  I promise to take more pictures!  I caught up to my birthday present camera from Jerry that was shipped here to Ryan & Kari's.  I just have to learn how to use it!