Our Crewing Opportunity with "Enchantment"

Tuesday, May 12, 2009
We left Lew & Teresa’s in Virginia Beach this morning at 9:30 am. We stopped at a pancake place called “Pier 23” on the way out and treated ourselves to omelets before making the drive. It took us about 4 hrs. to get home but we piddled in Elizabeth City as we had never been there before and wanted to take in some sights. It’s nice to be home, I suppose, but I’m ready for the next adventure!!! Sorry for forgetting our camera on this trip - I was so upset that I left it at home!!!

Monday, May 11, 2009
We locked through the Deep Canal Lock at 8:30 am, their first opening and continued down the Dismal Canal. So much history! To think that George Washington first started dredging this canal in the 1700’s is pretty darned impressive. We met up with “Catharsis”, the catamaran in Oriental and another beautiful trawler named “Sea Flat”. When we asked if they were musicians, the captain said “no, my wife likes the seas to be flat” henceforth their name. Cindy and Merrill were first in line in the lock and when the spillway opened, it was a darned tidal wave. They had a very rough time trying to fend “Ambition” from the sides of the lock and we christened Cindy, “The human fender”. Seriously, it was pretty awful for them and the lockmaster should have forewarned them of the velocity of the incoming water.

We made it to the 2nd lock on the canal for the 1:30 pm opening and the lockmaster there was full of personality. He entertained us by claiming that he was “the world’s greatest conch horn player” and you know what….he was! His dog also greeted each boat knowing he was going to get some attention.

Merrill and Cindy left us at Portsmouth (sniff) and it was hard waving goodbye across the water. We’ve had such a great time with them but hopefully we’ll go up to Montreal for the jazz festival in July which they claim is absolutely the best anywhere.

Lew, Chris and I pressed onward to Norfolk where Lew was leaving the boat to get hauled on Tuesday morning. The last 2 hours of the trip weren’t pleasant – very rough and pitching seas with rain and chilly temps. We were happy to get tied up and ride over to Lew’s house.

Teresa, Lew’s wife, made mac & cheese, chicken and of course, we all drank lots of wine. Lew hadn’t seen her in 10 days so it was a happy reunion for those 2. Their home in Virginia Beach was lovely and very unique. Their hospitality was certainly appreciated! They even had “Lucy”, their tabby kitty for me to pet and get my kitty fix.

Sunday, May 10, 2009
We left the anchorage on schedule and decided after the Alligator River Bridge to go through the Dismal Swamp Canal. Chris & I had never been through it and it was just beautiful. It was neither dismal or swampy! Unfortunately we didn’t make it to the Deep Lock by the last 3:30 pm opening so both boats tied up together at the entrance to the lock. Cindy made killer chili and I contributed the cornbread and wine. Again, lots of wine, Dark & Stormy’s, laughter and friendship ensued. The weather was brisk and perfect for sleeping with open hatches!

Saturday, May 9, 2009
It was a GREAT day today as we made a record 83 miles. We traveled up the Neuse, through the cut, across the Bay River, up the Pungo River and went through the Alligator-Pungo Canal. We managed to get in a bit of motor sailing and anchored just after the Alligator-Pungo Canal. Unfortunately “Ambition” drug a bit that night and because of the winds gusting to 25, we were unable to raft together. Lew had some fresh Mahi in the freezer which Chris grilled and it was EXCELLENT. Lots of Dark & Stormy’s made with Goslings Rum & Ginger Beer brought back from the Bahamas was consumed and Lew even had COFFEE ice cream (my very favorite). We turned in early in anticipation for a 7 am departure from the anchorage.

Friday, May 8, 2009
We’ve agreed to be crew for “Enchantment”. Back in November as we proceeded south, we met up with Lew and Joe (the crew that cooked!) somewhere south of Wrightsville Beach and both boats stayed together all the way to Florida. We had a great time with them and met up with them again at Boat Harbour in the Bahamas. Lew & Joe again brought the boat back north, but Joe had to get back to Virginia Beach as his baby girl was turning 1 so Lew needed crew. We quickly volunteered to go. Even better was that Cindy & Merrill from “Ambition” had come down to New Bern for a quick visit and were also heading north so the two boats traveled up to Norfolk together. It was GREAT to be back aboard a boat again – even though it wasn’t Long Gone. We all went to dinner at M&M’s on Friday evening and agreed to depart Oriental at 7:30 am on Saturday.