On to Coinjock (Thursday, May 21)
We left Dowrey Creek marina may 6:05 am. Then turned back at 6:06am to retrieve a fender that had fallen overboard (much finger pointing and comments about a bad stopper knot). Through heroic efforts and remarkable contortions by Robert the fender was successfully retrieved and we were on our way again
We turned immediately into the Alligator-Pungo canal, a 28 mile long, narrow, tree lined canal (some might call it a ditch) with partially submerged tree trunks at either side. 
The Alligator Pungo Canal
We stayed in the middle and happily no tugs passed us in either direction. After about 4 hours we emerged into the Alligator River, then on to the Alligator River swing bridge. The bridge tender was very accommodating and we didn't even have to slowdown as we went on through.
Then into the Albemarle sound, a 15 mile wide estuary that stretches down to Hatteras in the east and can sometimes be treacherous if the winds and currents don't align. Today we had lots of wind, but small waves and raised our sails (a full staysail and receded jib and main) we sailed along at 7 - 7.5 knots across the sound with ends of 18-20 knots, gusting to 25. Just as we were exiting the sound the wind rose to 28 knots, but we were reducing sail anyways.
A storm had been predicted for the afternoon. We had entered the sound around noon and happily although the winds were up and clouds kept building. There was no storm until we were about 5 miles from Coinjock marina when we started seeing lightening on the horizon. The coast guard came on the radio with a warning of a squall approaching the sound with 50 knot winds, hail, and lightening. We increased our speed and were at the marina, tying up at 5pm. The heavens opened at 5:05pm!!
Rich Fieldhouse had tied up at Coinjock a few hours earlier and the three of us went to dinner at the famed Coinjock restaurant
Let me now sing the praises of this Mecca for those who appreciate Prime Rib
There are those who speak highly of Abe &Louies in Boston, or of the Prime Rib in Philadelphia, and while they are indeed good, the prime rib at the Coinjock restaurant represents the very pinnacle, the acme, the zenith, the ne plus ultra of Prime Ribdom. They serve a 32oz slab of meat, perfectly cooked to your specification, with a baked sweet potato side and pickled beets. The waitresses are of an age and have been there forever. The decor is 1950's rustic. Half the clientele are from the surrounding towns and half are from the boats (ranging in size up to 90 feet). All are happy
And so were we!!
Rich is on his way to his son's wedding in June, and will then sail up to Baltimore in July. He has been keeping company with a woman that I hope to meet in July
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