May 22 - Great Bridge, VA

Atlantic Yacht Basin

High winds were predicted again today, so we were up early and untied from the dock as the sun was coming up. The Albemarle Sound can be very uncomfortable when winds pick up, and we wanted to get across before the conditions worsened. The Albemarle is the largest freshwater sound in North America, fed by over a dozen rivers, creeks and swamps. The last hour of our trip across the sound was a little rolly as the waves and wind hit us on our beam. We were glad we left Manteo when we did. The rest of our trip through the ICW took us up the North River, Coinjock Canal and the Albemarle-Chesapeake Canal, all pretty protected from the wind. The only other issue we had to deal with today was bridge openings, travel time between bridges can be challenging when you're in a slow boat. We were extremely lucky today...the last bridge tender held the bridge open for over five minutes so we could come through. That saved us a thirty minute wait for the next opening...especially nice after a long day. 

We're back at Atlantic Yacht Basin in Virginia...it felt a little like coming home. We've spent a lot of time here in the last few years. It's a well protected marina and a good place to watch boats going by in the ICW.  

Sunrise over the Outer Banks

Manteo's harbor and the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse