Going to Carolina...

Norfolk, Virginia is the location of mile zero of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway; distances are measured north and south from this point.  Waterside Marina is located very near the red buoy designating this spot and is the start of the last segment of our trip back to St. James, NC and then home. Once past the commercial areas of Norfolk with its many bridges and abundant commercial ship traffic, this segment of the waterway is more sheltered than much of the wide open waterways we have been traveling; it is replete with man-made cuts and canals connecting natural rivers and sounds.  For example, the Elizabeth River and North Landing River are connected by the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal.  Midway through this canal is the Great Bridge Lock, the last lock of this trip.  It works in conjunction with the bascule bridge; both are located at Great Bridge.

 

Great Bridge Lock

Intracoastal Mileage Measured From the Great Bridge Lock

Great Bridge

South of Great Bridge the waterway became more wild and remote with beautiful wetlands and the familiar scenery of Loblolly Pines and Bald Cypress.  It was here that it began to truly feel that we were nearing home. 

The North Carolina Cut

Bald Eagle Along the Shore

Our first stop in North Carolina was in Coinjock, literally a wide spot on the North Carolina Cut.  

Coinjock, NC

Fall is a time when many boaters depart northern waters heading to the warmer climate of Florida and the Bahamas for the winter.  Called the southern migration, it was in full swing and we were in the middle of it.  As we departed Coinjock, the docks were emptying of other boats heading south.   

The Southern Migration

Boats Waiting for the Opening of the Alligator River Bridge.  Our Low Profile Allowed Us to Go On Through.

We found we would see the same boats each day as we passed one by one, our cruising speed being a little faster than theirs, their days a little longer than ours, we often ended up in the same marinas at the end of the day.    

The Pungo River

Sunrise at Dowry Creek Marina

We were blessed with beautiful weather and calm winds during this leg of the trip.  This was very welcome as we crossed the wide and shallow Pamlico and Neuse Rivers and the Albemarle Sound all of which can kick up a nasty chop in unsettled weather.  

Crossing the Neuse River

Adams Creek

We spent an extra day in Beaufort enjoying this quaint seaside town which permeates history.  

Beaufort

Legends of Blackbeard abound here and the maritime museum has an interesting exhibit of artifacts recovered from Blackbeard’s flagship, Queen Anne’s Revenge.  Leslie’s birthday was celebrated at the Beaufort Grocery, a wonderful restaurant in the heart of downtown.  On the last day of our adventure we enjoyed a delicious breakfast at the Causeway Café in Wrightsville Beach before heading out on Motts Channel back to the Intracoastal Waterway. 
 

Motts Channel

One Must Watch For the Shifting Sandbars on the ICW

We soon turned into Snow’s Cut.  This man made cut connects the ICW at Carolina Beach with the Cape Fear River. 

Snow's Cut

We enjoyed the familiar scenery along the Cape Fear River to Southport where we again joined the ICW.  At mile 315 of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (315 miles from Norfolk), we turned into the channel leading to St. James Marina completing this fabulous adventure.   

Sign Indicating Statute Mile 315 of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway

Entrance Channel to St. James Marina

Returning back to St. James on November 2nd after six months and 4580 miles, we reflected back on the fabulous adventure that is “The Down East Circle Loop”.  

Sunset at St. James Marina

In the words of Mark Twain, 'Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore. Dream. Discover'