No Rest For The Weary

Washington, NC
35.539036 -77.051754

We made it almost all the way from Oriental to Washington yesterday. However around 17:30 we were still 12 miles short so we decided to anchor in the Pamlico River.

The forecast said east winds for the night, 10-15 knots. That's direction 090. We found a little corner on the north side of the river. We had shelter from 360 to 090. Well, we just set the anchor and I sat in the cockpit to unwind. I had less than 5 minutes to relax when a powerful wind came up. It blew 20 knots and from 120, not 090. I hollered down to Libby who had started on supper, "We've got to move."

So up the anchor, raise the sail, and then sail 3 miles to the south side of the river. There we found shelter. Set the anchor again, and settled to relax once again. I had less than 5 minutes to relax when I spotted an orange inflatable boat heading toward us. "Oh no," I thought, "They're going to tell us to not anchor here or something like that." It wasn't so. Two men in the boat approached. The captain said, "Help please, our gas gauge is on empty. There are no gas stations within 10 miles of here and we have to be home before dark. They were very happy when I said, "I can help you." I gave them a gallon of prime Bahamian gasoline. Despite my protests, the man insisted on giving me some money. Off they went. When I looked in my pocket I saw that he gave me $13. It embarrasses me to make such a large profit on a gallon of gas.

This morning we completed our sail to Washington and their free city docks. We just got here. So far, it seems to live up to our favorable opinions about North Carolina hospitality. It is tops.