Admiral’s Log

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Local fishermen and dock master in Belhaven, NC had cautioned us from continuing any further on Wednesday afternoon after stopping for fuel.  Up ahead of us was an area with extreme hazards that in dusk and darkness is not someplace one would want to be.  Seemed sensible to us ‘newbies’ and folks from the big city and so we settled down. We figured we could also add a quasi-stimulus package to the local community and so sporting a blue golf cart we went sightseeing while hunting for the ‘downtown traffic light’ and recommended restaurant.   We discovered that we were not SO out of place in driving around in a golf cart! (PHOTO #415 and 416)

Photo 415: Another Scooter

Photo 416: Glass Design

The decision to drop ‘anchor’ in the late afternoon rather than early evening also afforded us the opportunity to look ahead in our trip to the section where we would have a key decision point (for my NASA folk, you can see that I have not been away so long that I have forgotten the vernacular of good project management!).  The key decision point was whether we took the ‘fork’ in the ICW and took the route along the Great Dismal Swamp or the other fork that carried us up the Albermarle and Chesapeake Canal.  The decision point would have to be made at marker 50.  We expected to make that point  by mid-afternoon on Thursday.

Either direction would offer its own set of challenges and thus the decision to be made was which route might the challenges be minimal in comparison and where might risk mitigation be in our favor should we meet head on to one of the challenges.  We reviewed travel books, navigation charts, and even a DVD we had purchased before the trip entitled, “Snowbirders Guide along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.”  A brief caucus was held with the Captains.  By the time we went to bed, we had come to agreement on the course to take.

Way before first light, we left the shores of Belhaven, NC to make up some time and distance we had lost the day before.  Sunrise would be one-hour after we left and so with the creeping of dawn, we were witness to the lifting of the fog on the Alligator Canal and awakening of birds and fishermen making haste to drop crab traps.  (PHOTO #419a/b, 420, and 430 )

 
Photo 419a: First Light, Alligator River

Photo 419b: Almost Sunrise, Alligator River

Photo 420: Lone Fisherman

Photo 430: Morning Shrimper

We were also witness to those hazards that the locals had told us about.  It would have been a most harrowing experience to have attempted to navigate this narrow canal with all the dead trees laying on either side of the shores and the huge tree stumps.   I can only imagine the poor soul that got caught in this canal and decided to drop anchor!  That would like be one anchor that would have to be left behind as it would most assuredly have gotten snagged on a submerged stump or tree!  While hazardous…it did have its own beauty and awe.  (PHOTO #426)

Photo 426: More Stumps

By 10:30am we have come up on the last LOW bridge of NC that we must make passage through.  Naturally, it is called the Alligator River Swing Bridge and stands 14-ft vertical.  When we have our radio antennas dropped and our radar dish lowered, we are close to 20-ft in height.  Depending on the tides, we can sometimes pass under bridges that measure 18- to 19-ft. tall.  This one we shall have to call and request an opening.  What was of most significance to us with this particular bridge was that we were at mile marker 85 (meaning miles from Norfolk, VA) and it was at this moment that I heard the first radio transmission that identified its calling location as HAMPTON ROADS. 

Hampton Roads…that is Virginia…that is my old stompin’ grounds and location of NASA’s mother center – Langley Research Center! Technically, this placed us within ‘calling’ distance to home away from home.  Virginia, we are coming!

ADVENTURE IS FOR REAL AND NOT A HOAX.  It is worth a pause to also update this log on the news received early this morning that a RELIABLE, INDEPENDENT source did confirm sighting of this vessel near Emerald Isle, thereby debunking and stifling the rumors that this boat adventure was a hoax.  Below is the official statement submitted.  At the time of this log a permission form to allow posting of this person’s photo was being sought.  Once the photo release and photo is received, it shall be posted.

CONFIRMED SIGHTING STATEMENT:  “Even though this Pruzan didn’t actually see the boat – My mother-in-law saw the ghost ship as it passed her house this morning! I asked her if she saw a houseboat while she was having coffee this morning on her porch.  Oddly enough – she said yes, it was named something like ‘Now We’re Movin’ and it had red swirly looking things on the outside. They (in-laws) live at water marker 26 in the broad creek area of Bouge Sound (between Emerald Isle and Atlantic Beach bridges). They are right on the water and the eyes of the Pruzans were upon the Admiral’s vessel!”

WAGER POOL – PLACE YOU BETS NOW.  Now that we have settled that little matter, I share now a WAGER POOL that is reportedly being started back in Washington, DC and at NASA Headquarters.  The rumored plans are that the pool is to determine where and when the vessel might turn right and head for Europe.  The basis of this pool is judging on the current latitude, the Admiral could simply stay on this course and end up going through the Straits of Gibraltar and into the Mediterranean Sea.  Thus, either I show up at the office on Monday, August 24 or this log continues and details adventures in the South of France.  Hmmm…..should we throw the decision on which course to take out to the readership for making that decision….?!

A SECOND BET.  What about the ‘fork’ in the waterway?  Shall the boat journey on through the Great Dismal Swamp or up through Abermarle and Chesapeake Canal?  As we came up on the Coinjock Bridge, it was decision time! Taking bets…….

The road traveled thus far..  We have traveled from Belhaven, NC and reached the perimeter of the Hampton Roads region by 5pm.  At this time moment, we are running the gauntlet within a 28-mile section that is filled with seven bridges and one lock, each with a restricted opening time.  Shall darkness and time snag this vessel and stop this crew before it completes this run?  

IF successful, we shall reach mile marker zero of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.  ‘Now We’re Ready’ shall have completed a full run from Miami, FL to Norfolk, VA – all 1087 miles.  Not many dames can make such a claim and look and run so well.  Our little marathoner!  Not to get cocky, though…we still have a ways to go until nestled into home port near Washington, DC. 

Final note of the day.  Uh-uh…special operation games underway as we pass close to restricted area…three boats sneaking up from the aft under dark of night…suddenly stopped to our starboard side…a wake and a sudden jolt to our boat…..starboard engine is down and no power steering…now what could happen next??

Today's Emails

From: Canright, Shelley
Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 5:47 AM
Subject: Have left the docks pre-dawn

We are underway under a star-studded sky, as nature's lighting for us as we get an extra early start (5:30am). We are heading towards Coinjock, NC, which is about 130-miles north and is last point in NC before hitting VA. Expect to be in VA, tomorrow. VA shall hold its challenges for us with approx 20-miles of timed bridge openings and one lock. This shall occur in early stage of entry to this state.

Once we hit mile marker zero on the ICW, we shall be in Norfolk and then have approx 180-miles as final leg -- taking 1-1/2 days. We have optimistically purchased plane ticket for Captain Rob for Sunday from Dulles to Tampa. Fingers crossed that all continues to go well. If any snags that might delay us even for a day, then we shall have to consider stopping at Norfolk so that Rob can get flight home. He has commitments that he must keep. Without him...it would be just Michael and me taking her into DC. YIKES!

Keeping monitoring the boat site for the 'action packed'....okay, at least for some awesome photos.

Off with my flashlight to find that cup of coffee that I sat down somewhere in the dark to get this quick note off fom my blackberry.

Captain Rob and Michael are already wired.

Ahoy!

From: Detroye, Diane D.
Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 6:09 AM
Subject: RE: TARGET:: Emerald Isle (NC) -- At First Light (August 19)

[Responding to yesterday's mother-in-law silliness]

ROTFL!!!

Hat's off to MIL Pruzan!

From: Anderson, Bill
Sent: Thu Aug 20 06:18:36 2009
Subject: RE: TARGET:: Emerald Isle (NC) -- At First Light (August 19)

Has anybody ever actually seen the mother-in-law?  Didn't think so.

From: Canright, Shelley
Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 7:51 AM
Subject: Re: TARGET:: Emerald Isle (NC) -- At First Light (August 19)

(Sigh)...Katie, is it possible that you might supply photo of mother-in-law? Be sure to get a photo release as this might be posted to boat site along with statement of RELIABLE, IINDEPENDENT source  confirms sighting.

From: Katie
Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 9:30 AM
Subject: RE: TARGET:: Emerald Isle (NC) -- At First Light (August 19)

Now that can be arranged.

From: Detroye, Diane D.
Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 9:07 AM
Subject: RE: TARGET:: Emerald Isle (NC) -- At First Light (August 19)

My sides now hurt so much from laughing that I'm beside myself!!

From: Canright, Shelley
Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 8:01 AM
Subject: Re: Have left the docks pre-dawn

Correction to early message re: mileage. I now have had coffee, have daylight and have charts in front of me (rather than faulty memory). From Belhaven (last night's port) to Coinjock, NC is 85-miles. From Belhaven, NC to end of ICW (Norfolk, VA) is total distance of 135-miles.

FEASIBLE to cover this distance.....IF timing is in our favor when we come upon the #*? bridges and one lock that have designated openings. We either power through or start, stop, wait, and start, again, repeat...

It shall all be told in the Admiral's Log....

From: Canright, Shelley 
Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 4:13 PM
Subject: Re: Have left the docks pre-dawn

We are now in the VA waters and making progress towards Hampton Roads (Portsmouth and Norfolk, VA) and the zero mile marker on the ICW. We are currently at mile 29.

Might sound close....but the bridge and lock obstacle course are still in front of us. It is like running the gaunlet for the 28 miles. IF we successfully pass thru all of this, then evening docking is planned in Portsmouth. IF not....

Once we get to mile marker zero, we are approx 180 miles to home port!

From: Canright, Shelley
Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 4:21 PM
Subject: Shelley heading towards Hampton Roads at this hour via houseboat

Gang:

Depending on the next 5 hours, I am hopeful that by nightfall I shall be docked at city close to Langley. And if that happens, then should be coming round the bend sometime tomorrow and passing through!

For current status of the day...see, below. I shall post update to Admiral's Log and photos once I dock for evening and gain wireless internet access. At moment, limited to blackberry.

Bill Anderson is serving as First Mate and keeping 'boat site' up to date:

http://paintrock.net/boat

Ahoy!

From: Canright, Shelley
Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 10:10 PM
Subject: Re: Have left the docks pre-dawn

We reached the mile maker zero at 9:30pm....but it might have been ground zero. We were 2/10 of mile of where we planned to dock for evening when something happened. We had three special ops boats off to our starboard all decked out for some fun. They had dashed up beside us and there was an aft wake that hit us, a heavy thud was felt on the starbaord side and we were down on one. Did we hit something? Did special ops hit us with something?

We don't know...but only know that we shall seek consultation when the marina where we are opens at 8am.

To top the evening...we have a log and photos that we wanted to release...we had fun during the day in crafting the content and selecting the photos. We are docked with no wirless, so log shall have to wait.