Author Archives: npdonohoe

We FINALLY left Zimmerman Marine on August 13th, for a short ride to New Point Comfort, at the entrance to Mobjack Bay from the Chesapeake. It was only a few miles, but we turned it into a longer cruise, as a weather front was passing and would go over exactly where we wanted to anchor.Continue reading “Old Friends and New – the Perks of Cruising”

We left Tidewater Marina in Portsmouth on July 27th around 8:30, and headed up past the Norfolk Navy Yard. It was amazing to see all the ships and submarines that are docked and/or being working on as we cruised past. We passed a Destroyer coming home with flag flying and sailors on the deck. WeContinue reading “Portsmouth VA to East River, Mobjack Bay VA”

6/27/2020 The next cruise route brought us further up the Pungo River, through the 20 mile Alligator – Pungo Canal, into the Alligator River to anchor for the evening.  We were deep in North Carolina country, with lush greenery all around us, and miles of undeveloped land on either side of the rivers and canal. Continue reading “Further Meandering and Musings…”

June 25th dawned partly sunny, and after some coffee, we got the boat ready to continue our journey north.   Today’s plan was to cruise up the Neuse River, cross the Pamlico River and anchor on the Pungo River at Deep Point Anchorage.  The day rapidly became overcast, but that’s ok – it was also cooler.  Continue reading “It’s not ALWAYS sunny…”

6/23/2020 We got up and going not too early, looking to cast off the dock at Homer Smith’s Marina in Beaufort NC by 9:30ish.  Our plan was a relatively short cruising day to a quiet anchorage in Broad Creek.  With the wind trying to blow our stern onto the dock, we needed to cast offContinue reading “Never forget to….”

6/21/2020 We got up and moving early from Wrightsville Beach to catch near slack tide conditions heading out the Masonboro Inlet.  Interesting fun fact:  Beaufort, SC is pronounced “Bewferd” and Beaufort, NC is pronounced “Bohfort”.  Googling was done to figure this out, as was figuring out why North and South Carolina are separate states, andContinue reading “Yes, Virginia, there ARE two southern towns named Beaufort”

6/20/2020 This morning started early (5:00 am) as we wanted to get an early start.  Jeff bid us farewell from the dock at 7:45, as he was traveling back home to California.  It was such a wonderful time with him, and we cannot wait to share new exploits.  The day dawned partly cloudy, light breezeContinue reading “In My Mind I’m Going to Carolina”

After a couple of weeks of provisioning, repairing, double checking and even hand waxing the topsides (who needs a gym!), we drove to Orlando Airport to pick up our broker-turned-good friend, Jeff Merrill, to travel with us on the first leg of our journey. We ventured out to meet some friends for a last eveningContinue reading “New Adventures Begin!”

It has been quite a while since we last posted… We know.  We, like the rest of the world, have been adjusting to “a new normal” with Covid-19 in our surroundings.  Luckily, so far, we have been very healthy and have not been stricken with this virus – nor has anyone in our marina. Unfortunately,Continue reading “The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men….”

It has been surprisingly difficult to schedule people to visit us. Between guests having jobs and school obligations, weather whims that we cannot control, and the never-ending list of things to be attended to and fixed on the boat, we have had quite a challenge. However, as we settle into this life and weather turnsContinue reading “Feb 15 – 21: FIRST VISITORS!”