From Sandy Hook, we sailed directly to Norfolk, bypassing the Chesapeake, and stayed at the Tidewater Yacht Marina (Portsmouth). While there, we finally were able to get our new sails installed – although we wouldn’t use them for a few more weeks since we planned to go the ICW to Beaufort.
We had read that there was an alternate ICW route that would take us to the Outer Banks instead of going through the Alligator-Pungo canal so we decided to give it a try. After leaving Norfolk, we spent in the first night in Coinjock, NC and Jennifer finally tried the famous prime rib (Emery stayed with his usual go-to Shrimp ‘n Grits). The second day, we crossed the Abermarle sound and the wind and waves were brutal. About halfway across we were ready to give up and turn back but, at that point, turning back wouldn’t have gotten us to shelter any quicker. As we got closer to Roanoke Island, though, everything calmed down and we had a safe entry into Manteo, NC where we had a slip at the Manteo Waterfront Marina.
The only picture we took of Manteo. The haircut was pretty good.
After leaving Manteo we found a secluded anchorage in the Pamlico sound and left the anchorage early the next morning. There were times when we were completely out of sight of land. Eventually we joined back up with the main ICW and anchored in Taylor’s Creek. The next morning was a quick motor into Beaufort where we grabbed a slip to wait out a week of bad weather.
Taylor Creek
The ICW was extremely busy but this anchorage only had a few boats in it.