But, I exaggerate. This picture is a little unfair, although it's a real sunset two nights ago when we anchored in the Alligator River.
I hate the Alligator River and this picture represents my inner-most feelings. Three years ago, we anchored in the Alligator on the way down the Intracoastal Waterway. Around 2 am, we hear a thump, a very quiet thump. Shining a flashlight, we see a tree stump up against the side of Balboita, like she's a lollipop on a stick. We have dragged anchor into what the locals call the Log Camp, a graveyard of dead trees at the side of the river. We are stuck.
We call the Coast Guard. No answer for a long time. We feel very alone and afraid. I visualize the stick working its way through the lollipop.
The answer comes from Axom Smith, tow boat owner 20 miles away in Belhaven, NC. Axom was asleep when he took the call to come rescue us. He says we have to wait until dawn. In boating, dawn can be a long time coming. And when it did, our anchorage looked like this.
Log Camp, Alligator River, NC
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Fast forward: this year our anchorage looked like this.
Monet's version of the Alligator.
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Photo ops along the first 173 miles of the ICW.
Das barge from cockpit.
Strange-looking houses on ICW
Find the pelicans on the channel marker.
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Finally, ta da.
We arrive at the best place along the ICW. River Dunes Marina in Oriental, NC.
River Dunes club house
River Dunes drops my blood pressure by 10 points. We are staying here for two days, maybe three. A nasty front is coming through tonight. It has a class A restaurant. I like being a fair weather sailor.
Club house view
Balboita, no longer alone
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And this is the sailor I am: one part complaint and one part shear happiness.
Vicki and the bros on the ICW.
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