From Tee To Sea

June 15 – 17, 2026

From: Safe Harbor Bluewater Marina, Hampton, VA – Safe Harbor Stingray, Deltaville, VA

Departed: 7:45 AM | Arrived: 1:15 PM
Time Underway: 5.5 hours
Wind: 5 - 12 mph
Speed: 7.5 - 8.5 varies
Temp: 75-80 degrees
Visibility: Sunny with a few fluffy clouds

So Long, Skinny Water...

We had a wonderful stay at Safe Harbor Bluewater Marina. The staff was fantastic, the facilities were excellent, and the timing couldn't have been better. The first day was so hot that we happily spent some time cooling off in the pool. The next day, temperatures dropped into the mid-70s with a nice breeze. And for anyone visiting the area, the Surf Rider Restaurant is definitely worth a stop. Super yummy!

On Monday, Bob's cousin Sarah, her husband, and some friends came by the boat for a visit. They even brought dinner and wine, which automatically moves guests to the top of our favorites list! We had a great time catching up and sharing stories from our adventures. Thanks again, Sarah!

Tuesday, we walked into downtown Hampton to do a little sightseeing. We visited the famous vintage Hampton Carousel, checked out the Virginia Air & Space Science Center, and wandered along the waterfront docks. Unfortunately, we missed the Blackbeard Pirate Festival by one day. Apparently, our pirate timing still needs work. There was plenty more to see, though, and Hampton earned a spot on our "visit again" list.

Wednesday marked our official arrival on the Chesapeake Bay.
Goodbye skinny water. Goodbye bridges every few miles. Goodbye wondering if there is enough water under the keel. Hello Chesapeake Bay!

The weather was beautiful, and as we entered the Bay, a very large container ship was heading out to sea. We gave it plenty of room. Those ships always remind me who the real professionals out there. Their wake is really big.

After spending so much time on rivers and the ICW, it felt strange to suddenly have all that open water around us. I probably routed us a little farther offshore than necessary—not in the shipping channel, but farther out than I needed to be. I'll likely tweak future routes and stay a bit closer to shore.

Of course, every boater I talk to immediately says, "Watch out for the crab pots!" We didn't see a single one today.
Which means they're probably all waiting for us.

Coming into the marina was a little tricky, but thankfully Harbor Master Mary had sent detailed arrival instructions. We're always extra alert when entering a marina for the first time, and this one definitely kept things interesting. At one point, we missed a turn and found ourselves wondering why things didn't quite look right. Oops. Fortunately, Captain Bob worked his usual magic, got us backed up, and we were back on track in no time.

Mary, along with two fellow boaters, met us on the marina's new floating face dock and had Patriot tied up in record time.

Shortly afterward, a gentleman named Bill stopped by to introduce himself. As it turns out, he's also a Fleming 55 owner and generously offered local knowledge along with a ride to the grocery store. During our conversation, we discovered that he and his wife had purchased their boat a year and a half ago from friends of ours in Charleston. Small world.

One of the things we love most about this lifestyle is the kindness of fellow boaters. No matter where you go, there always seems to be someone willing to lend a hand, share advice, or point you toward the best restaurant in town.

Tomorrow, Norfolk will be hosting the Tall Ships as part of the Sail250 Virginia and Norfolk Harborfest celebration, and it sounds like quite an event. Bill, his wife, and their yacht club will actually be helping lead the Tall Ships into the harbor. That should be fun to watch!

There's also some weather moving into the area, so we're happy to be settled into a safe marina while it passes through.

One last thing…it is Ace’s 7th Birthday tomorrow!

Life is good... ⚓🚤🌊

June 14, 2026

From: Coinjock Marina & Restaurant to Safe Harbor Bluewater Marina, Hampton, VA
Departed: 7:45 AM | Arrived: 3:15 PM
Time Underway: 7.5 hours
Wind: 5 - 11 mph
Speed: 8.5 varies
Temp: 80-86 degrees
Visibility: Overcast and some sun

We Made It...

We had a great prime rib dinner last night at the Coinjock Marina restaurant, and to top it off, they had a really good band playing outside after dinner. Great food, good music, and lots of fellow boaters—definitely a fun place!

The Trail Ride has started...This morning's cruise required a little planning. We had to depart at just the right time to make the SR165 Bridge, which only opens on the hour and half-hour. Of course, when we got there, the bridge tender made us wait a bit before opening. Then we had to make the Centerville Turnpike Bridge, which is on signal. We thought we'd cruise right through, but the tender decided to wait for four other boats that were way behind us. Stress level: slightly elevated.

Next up was the Great Bridge Bridge (and no, that's not a typo), which only opens on the hour. We needed to hit the noon opening exactly. Shortly afterward, all the boats are funneled into the Great Bridge Lock (we only went 12” down because of the tide). Thankfully, the bridge and lock coordinate with each other, making life much easier for us boaters.

Mission accomplished—we made every bridge and lock without too much drama.

Well... bridge drama anyway.

Up until today, this trip has felt a little like a "work trip." You know, lots of planning, timing bridges, watching weather, checking depths, and making schedules.

Then we entered Norfolk, Virginia.

And suddenly there was something to look at!
I was expecting lots of Navy traffic, giant container ships, and general chaos, but surprisingly it wasn't busy at all (it was Sunday). Instead, we got to leisurely cruise past some really impressive ships and waterfront views. It was fascinating. Be sure to check out the photos—they tell the story much better than I can.

Once we arrived at Safe Harbor Bluewater, Captain Bob backed Patriot neatly into her slip, and just like that...
We were officially on vacation.

Bob immediately gave Patriot a well-deserved washdown while I took Ace on a much-needed walk. After checking in, there was only one logical next step.

The pool. Yep. Vacation mode is officially activated.
Tonight we'll enjoy dinner at the marina restaurant and settle in for a few days before continuing north.

Enjoy the photo bomb...

Watch out, Chesapeake Bay... here we come! 🚤⚓

Life is good.

Have a fun time at Coinjock Marina.

June 13, 2026

From: Alligator River Anchorage (South), NC to Coinjock Marina & Restaurant
Departed: 9 AM | Arrived: 2:00 PM
Time Underway: 5 hours
Wind: 5 - 15 mph
Speed: 8.5
Temp: 80-86 degrees
Visibility: Haze skies with lots of sun

Did I Mention I Love Our Anchor...

Last night was not one for the good memory book.

Before turning in, we checked the weather and saw a storm forecast to arrive around midnight. We had plenty of scope out, felt good about our position, and were confident Patriot was securely anchored with enough rode.

The storm rolled through with lightning, thunder, and plenty of wind—25 to 35 mph at times. The wind was hitting us on the beam, and Patriot was rocking side to side enough to make sleeping nearly impossible. Ace was not a happy camper.

I'll spare you all the details, but it was a long night.

Fortunately, Captain Bob had a great idea. He turned on the stabilizers, and wow, what a difference. They helped tremendously. The worst of the storm lasted about two hours, although the leftovers continued to keep things uncomfortable for much of the night.

The good news? Our Aqua Maps anchor alarm showed that Patriot was not dragging just moving around it. The anchor held beautifully.

Ace and I eventually relocated to the guest stateroom in search of a little sleep. It didn't help much. Let's just say nobody woke up feeling refreshed.

This morning was a fresh start.

I was at my anchor station washing down the chain, noticing there wasn't much mud coming up. Then we got to the point where the anchor should have broken free from the bottom. Nothing. It wasn't interested in coming up. We maneuvered Patriot over the anchor, backed a little and finally it let go. When it surfaced, I discovered why. Our 100-pound anchor appeared to have gained about 50 pounds overnight. It was carrying the largest clump of mud I have ever seen attached to an anchor. No washdown hose on earth was going to remove that mess. Out came the boat hook. I poked and poked and Eventually the mud fell off.

With that battle won, we headed toward Coinjock.

Crossing the Albemarle Sound was about as easy as it gets, with only 5–7 mph winds and calm conditions. Many boaters end up waiting days for a good weather window to cross the Sound, so we felt fortunate.

It's a little like crossing the ocean. There isn't much to look at. Then came North River, followed by the canal, and there still wasn't much to look at.

Let's just say today's scenery wasn't competing for any tourism awards.

We intentionally arrived early at Coinjock because this marina fills up quickly. The dockhands run a very efficient operation and aren't shy about packing boats in. By the time they're done, everyone is tucked in with just a few feet between neighbors.

They offer fuel, pump-outs, and most importantly... Prime rib.
In fact, they're so serious about it that they call ahead to take your dinner order before you arrive.

Tomorrow we'll cross into Virginia and spend three days at Safe Harbor Bluewater Marina. We will officially be in Chesapeake Bay!

And after last night's performance, I'd just like to say one more thing: I love our anchor.

Life is good.

June 12, 2026

From: Belhaven Marina, NC to Alligator River Anchorage (South), NC

Departed: 9 AM | Arrived: 2:45 PM
Time Underway: 5.45 hours
Wind: 5 - 8 mph
Speed: 8.5
Temp: 80-98 degrees
Visibility: Hazy skies with lots of sun... HOT

Bridges...

Well, we have officially experienced Belhaven.
It's a super small town with a few good restaurants and some friendly people. The marina was interesting. The owner, Ken, couldn't have been nicer, but the dock setup is a little different than what we're accustomed to. Lots of wooden pilings, but he thoughtfully put out four giant ball fenders to protect Patriot, which was much appreciated.

Having a tugboat tied up behind us added a little excitement. It appeared to be occupied by two men and one very large pit bull. I think the men went to a motel for the night but left the dog onboard. Beautiful dog, but I wasn't about to take Ace out for a stroll until they were gone. Some situations just aren't worth testing.

Last night, I saw a post on Facebook from Bob's 423 Tracks reporting that the Alligator River Bridge that we were heading to was broken and closed. Not exactly the kind of news a boater likes to hear.

That bridge seems to have spent as much time breaking as working this year. I called the bridge tender before we departed, and she told me a repair crew was on the way. Since our destination was an anchorage anyway, we figured we'd go and see what happened. Worst case, we'd anchor before the bridge. Best case, they'd get it fixed. Fortunately, the bridge was repaired and back in operation by noon. Crisis avoided.

Departure from the marina was smooth. We brought the power cord aboard, Captain Bob took his position at the helm, and I released the lines one at a time (they were tied back to the boat). There was a boat ahead of us and the wind was helping push Patriot away from the dock. A perfect exit.

The cruising portion of the day was... well... Hot. Really hot.
The route included a 21-mile canal with very little to see and almost no breeze. Then we entered the Alligator River heading north and somehow it got even hotter. We were drinking water like it was our full-time job.

Finally, we approached the Alligator River Bridge.
At the same time, a large Marlow yacht came flying past us at about 21 knots, clearly trying to make the bridge opening. Since the bridge operates on signal, I radioed the tender and asked if there was any chance, we could sneak through behind the Marlow.
His response: "You better put the pedal to the metal." Challenge accepted.

Captain Bob advanced the throttles, blew a little carbon out of the engines, and Patriot surged up to 13 knots. It still didn't look promising, but the bridge tender—bless his heart—held the bridge for us. Victory! I suspect the vehicles waiting on the highway may not have appreciated his kindness quite as much as we did.
Just beyond the bridge, our anchorage appeared on the starboard side.

The only issue? Crab pots. Everywhere.
As we entered, we noticed a pattern of open spaces between them and carefully navigated our way into one of the openings with 10' of water. Down went the anchor and we were set. Although, as I'm writing this, I can see a crab pot about 50 yards off our port side. Could be dinner…

The generator is humming, the air conditioning is running, and life is good.

Tomorrow is a short run to Coinjock Marina. They're famous for their prime rib and have a unique tradition—they call you on the morning of your arrival to take your dinner order. Now that's a marina that understands boaters.

I love our anchor! ⚓️

June 11, 2026

From: NC to Oriental Marina, NC to Belhaven Marina, NC
Departed: 8 AM | Arrived: 1:00 PM
Time Underway: 5 hours
Wind: 10– 14 mph
Speed: 8.5
Temp: 80-96 degrees
Visibility: Lots of sun and a nice breeze

Love These Easy Cruising Days...

We thoroughly enjoyed our few days in Oriental and the wonderful people at the marina. It was a nice break from moving every day and a chance to catch our breath before continuing north.

Departure was easy-peasy this morning, and we headed up the Neuse River with about 14 knots of wind at our stern, giving us a nice little push and a gentle one- to two-foot sea. By the time we crossed the Pamlico River, the waves had settled down to about a foot. It was exactly the kind of cruising day we needed—comfortable, uneventful, and relaxing.

Well... mostly uneventful. This was a new marina for us, and as we approached, we were a little confused about where exactly it was located and which dock had been assigned to us. We headed down a fairway only to have the dockmaster radio and tell us we needed to turn around.

No problem... except the fairway was about as skinny as they come. Captain Bob calmly spun Patriot around like he'd done it a hundred times before and eased her alongside the dock with only the slightest "kiss" from the stern. Nothing to see here, folks. Just another day at the office. 😄

The marina owner, Ken, was waiting on the dock to catch our lines and get us settled in. He purchased the marina two years ago and has been steadily making improvements. The restrooms and showers are spotless, they provide clean towels, and the laundry is free. Boaters know that's the kind of luxury that gets your attention!
Once we were tied up, we closed up the boat, cranked on the air conditioning, and declared the day officially over. The heat wave has arrived.

It's been a little too hot for long walks with Ace, but he's managing just fine. He's keeping himself entertained by running from window to window inside the boat, barking at passing people, boats, birds, and anything else he feels should be reported. Apparently, neighborhood security is now his full-time job.

Tomorrow we're headed to an anchorage on the Alligator River and expecting a 5- to 6-hour run, depending on the current.

The exciting part? We're now about three-quarters of the way to Norfolk and the Chesapeake Bay.

Life is good! 🚤⚓🐾🌞

June 8,9, 2026

From: Mile Hammock Bay Anchorage, NC to Oriental Marina, NC
Departed: 7 AM | Arrived: 5:00 PM
Time Underway: 10 hours
Wind: 10– 37 mph
Speed: 5.5 – 7.5
Temp: 75-78 degrees
Visibility: Partly cloudy with lots of wind

Challenging Day...

We enjoyed a relaxing afternoon at anchor watching the Memorial Tournament, spotting Marines flying their CV-22 Ospreys overhead, and getting a peaceful night's sleep. It was pretty cool watching the aircraft come and go while Patriot sat quietly on the hook.
The anchor didn't budge all night, and by morning the winds had settled down to about 10 mph. Things were looking good.
The captain started warming up the engines while I got the washdown hose ready.

Then came the first surprise of the day. No port engine. It wouldn't even turn over. Dead…. Nothing. Big bummer.

With no immediate solution, we prepared to get underway on one engine. Of course, the anchor came up covered in more mud than I think I've ever seen. It took forever to wash the chain/rode clean. By the time we finally got everything secured, we were racing the clock to make the Onslow Beach Bridge opening (on signal between 7am – 8am, then every half hour).

Normally, the trip should have taken about 26 minutes at 8.5 knots.
Not today.

Instead, Captain Bob had to hold Patriot in position against the current and wind for nearly forty minutes while we waited for the bridge opening. Watching the clock and bridge and a boat hold its station can be about as exciting as watching water boil, but he did a great job.

Once through the bridge, we continued north past Camp Lejeune. Thankfully, there were no military training exercises that delayed traffic, although we did hear a few very loud booms in the distance that sounded suspiciously like the Marines were having a busy day.
Meanwhile, a diesel mechanic in Oriental had been located and agreed to meet us the following day. While underway, Bob stayed in contact with Burr Yacht Sales, troubleshooting every obvious possibility they could think of. Unfortunately, nothing solved the problem.

The day became a long slog. Running on one engine, we were only making about 5.5 to 7.5 knots, and much of the time we had strong winds right on the bow and current.

We passed Beaufort and entered the Newport River, where 20 mph winds were hitting us on the starboard beam. From there we entered the Adams Creek Canal, and the narrow waterway provided some welcome protection from the wind.

Then came the Neuse River. And the Neuse had opinions.
As we crossed, winds were blowing 25–35 mph, creating a very sporty sea state. For about 45 minutes we rocked and rolled through 3- to 5-foot waves while making our way toward the protected harbor at Oriental. Thank goodness for stabilizers!
Patriot handled it beautifully. She never missed a beat, and waves occasionally splashed over the Portuguese bridge. It was one of those crossings that reminds you why a well-built boat is worth every penny.

Finally, we entered the protection of the harbor and began docking—with one engine and a lot of help from our thrusters.
We were assigned Slip #9 and managed to get Patriot safely into the slip. The only problem was that the finger pier was so short there was practically nowhere to get off the boat. At that point I was just happy to be stationary and probably would have stayed onboard forever if necessary.

So, the captain backed us out and moved us into slip #11 with a longer finger pier. No drama, no problem. Soon we were securely tied to the pilings and calling it a day.

The marina restaurant is only about twenty steps from our boat, which felt like a gift after the day we'd had. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner, a little relaxation, and spent some time recapping the day's adventures.

The next morning, today, mechanic Mike Craig arrived onboard and quickly identified the culprit—a failed starter solenoid.
Luck was definitely on our side because Bob had a brand-new replacement sitting in our spare parts box.
A short time later, we were back in business with two running engines. Hallelujah!

Ace and I celebrated by taking a long walk around Oriental. The town feels like stepping back in time—quiet, friendly, and full of charm. We also stopped at the local veterinarian to have Ace's toenails trimmed. He usually isn't a fan of the procedure, but the technician was wonderful with him and everything went smoothly.
Now we're catching up on boat chores and personal business.

Oh, and one more thing...Bob's computer crashed. Because apparently one mechanical problem per day wasn't enough.

As Forrest Gump said, "Life is like a box of chocolates—you never know what you're going to get."

Cruising life keeps proving that statement true. Fortunately, most days the chocolates are pretty good.

June 6, 2026

From: Carolina Beach Mooring Ball, NC to Mile Hammock Bay Anchorage, NC

Departed: 7 AM | Arrived: 1:30 PM
Time Underway: 6.5 hours
Wind: 10– 21 mph gust
Speed: 7.5 – 9.5 knots (had some current with us)
Temp: 78 -87 degrees
Visibility: Partly cloudy with lots of wind

Lots of Traffic Today... 😳

Our stay at Carolina Beach was nice, although next time we'll probably only spend one night on the mooring ball. The moorings themselves are excellent and very easy to use. ⚓

We departed at 7:00 AM so we could make the Wrightsville Beach Bridge for its top-of-the-hour opening. As it turned out, we arrived a little too early, which gave me some extra time to practice maneuvering Patriot using the sticks. I spent a few minutes doing some 180-degree turns and playing around in open water.

Before long, it was time for the 9:00 AM bridge opening, and then we had to make tracks for the Figure Eight Bridge and its 9:30 opening.

As we approached the Figure Eight the bridge tender radioed and told us that if we lowered our antennas, we could clear the bridge's 25-foot height without waiting. Now that's valuable local knowledge! Usually bridge tenders don't offer advice—they just tell you whether you're going to fit or not. So down came the antennas, and through we went.

The ICW was absolutely buzzing today. There were center consoles everywhere and jet skis darting around like mosquitoes. Some boaters slowed down for our wake, while others seemed to think our wake was a water park attraction and sped up to jump it.

The biggest accomplishment of the day? 🐾 Ace used his pad for ALL his business! 🐾

No dinghy ride required, no emergency potty stops, no drama. We're calling that a major cruising victory. Smart doggie!

We are now safely anchored in Mile Hammock Bay. The wind is really blowing, but the anchor appears to be holding nicely. We've checked our position several times and everything looks good. Anchor alarm set.

Tonight's plan: relax, enjoy the view, listen to the wind whistle through the rigging, and be grateful for another safe day on the water.

Peace out...

June 5, 2026

From: Safe Harbor South Harbor Village, NC to Carolina Beach Mooring Ball, NC

Departed: 10 AM | Arrived: 11:50 AM
Time Underway: 1.50 hours
Wind: 6– 9 mph gust
Speed: 7.5 – 9.5 knots (had some current with us)
Temp: 75 -86 degrees
Visibility: Clear and sunny

Up the ICW Again... ⚓🚤

We had a fantastic dinner last night at Joseph's Italian Bistro, located right here at the marina. It has been a local favorite for over 20 years and was absolutely packed—reservations only! Luckily, we snagged a nice table in the bar area. 🍀

I first heard about it from a Facebook boating group where someone boldly claimed it was "the best Italian restaurant on the East Coast." Well, naturally, we had to investigate. It was really, really good! 😋👍

This morning was wonderfully relaxed since we only had a short run to the Carolina Beach Mooring Field. We cruised through the Cape Fear River, which, according to Google, got its name from the dangerous shoals, strong currents, and hazardous navigation that struck fear into early sailors. 😳Today? Not so scary. 😄

The river is incredibly wide, and we passed a few large tankers along the way. The only area requiring extra attention was Snow's Cut, but with Bob's trusty 423 tracks and a favorable high tide, it was a complete non-event.

Entering Myrtle Grove Sound and the mooring field was straightforward. Larry, the dockmaster, had already provided us with excellent instructions the night before.

The mooring field was practically empty, so it was Captain's Choice on where to park Patriot. I picked up the mooring ball quickly, and we were secured in no time.

One thing that's unique here: the pendant isn't left floating in the water. Instead, there's a tray mounted on top of the mooring ball where they neatly place it after each departure. Pretty clever and appreciated.

After a little computer work and lunch, we lowered the dinghy.
And then...

🐾 ACE LOST HIS MIND. 🐾
The second he heard the davit start lowering the dinghy, he transformed into a barking, crying, spinning bundle of excitement. 🤪🐕📢 He was so wound up that I finally put him in his room while we launched the d**k. That only made things worse. The drama level was somewhere between a toddler denied ice cream and a rock star missing his concert. 🎸🍦😂

Once underway, all was well. Then came the return trip.

Ace was so excited to get back aboard Patriot that he misjudged his leap, slipped, and fell right into the water. 😳💦🐶
Yes, I rescued him. Yes, he was embarrassed. No, I don't think he learned anything from the experience. 😂 If anyone has some training tips I am all ears!!!!

We stopped by Larry's office and had a nice visit. Super nice guy! Then we headed off to explore town.

Honestly... this isn't really our kind of place. 😬
Lots of T-shirt shops, bars, ice cream shops, tourists, and to add insult to injury, no dogs allowed on the boardwalk. Needless to say, we didn't stay long.

The good news is that the mooring ball itself is fantastic. The breeze is perfect, the view is beautiful, and it's incredibly relaxing.
Apparently Luke Bryan is performing here tomorrow night. We will not be attending.

We'll be here through Saturday and will make the best of it. Who knows... I might even lay out and catch some sun.

Grateful for this adventure, every single day. ❤️🚤⚓🐾

June 4, 2026

From: Barefoot Marina, Myrtle Beach, SC – Safe Harbor South Harbor Village, NC
Departed: 7:45 AM | Arrived: 1:00 PM
Time Underway: 5.15 hours
Wind: 6– 7 mph gust
Speed: 8.5 knots
Temp: 61 - 79 degrees
Visibility: Clear and sunny

Are We There Yet? ... LOL

We had a wonderful stay at Barefoot Marina in Myrtle Beach. The staff were incredibly helpful and even gave us golf cart rides to and from the golf course. Now that's service!

We had an 11:12 tee time at Barefoot Resort on the Fazio Course, and it did not disappoint. The resort features four championship courses—Fazio, Norman, Dye, and Love. We wisely chose what we believed to be the friendliest option, since the other architects have a reputation for creating courses that enjoy humbling golfers. It was a bit windy, but the towering trees provided plenty of protection. The course was in great shape, although the bunkers were another story. They were deep enough that I half expected to need a ladder to get out. We played okay and definitely improved as the round went on, which is always a nice way to finish.

The cool mornings have been wonderful, making for great sleeping weather with no AC required.

We were scheduled to depart at 8:00 AM, but as usual, we were ready early (when Mama is ready everyone is ready) LOL. So, we quietly slipped off the face dock and headed north on the ICW.
Today's run was easy and much straighter than yesterday's route. The shallow areas around Shallotte and Lockwood Folly have recently been dredged as per Bob”s Tracks, and even the infamous Rock Pile was a non-event. The key is simple: stay in the channel. Don't wander. Don't sightsee. Don't get curious. Just stay between the markers. Of course, timing the trip around high tide didn't hurt either. 😊

Our only bit of drama came when the inverter charger suddenly became disengaged. It took Captain Bob a while to diagnose the issue, but eventually he got everything sorted out and, most importantly, the beeping stopped. If you're a boater, you know that unexpected beeping is rarely associated with good news.
Then, for the first time in two and a half years, Starlink decided to stop working. ☹️ That problem had to wait until we docked. After some troubleshooting—and a password reset by the captain—we were back online. Why it happened remains a mystery, but at least we're connected again.

It's always a little awkward arriving at a marina you've never visited before and trying to figure out the layout. Today they assigned us a spot along the inside of the fuel dock, tucked a little way down the fairway. Plenty of room for more boats behind us, which they assured us would be arriving later. Once tied up, we topped off with fuel ($5.09 per gallon, member price) and got a pump-out. Since we'll be spending the next two nights on a mooring ball followed by a night at anchor, it was nice to get those chores done while everything was conveniently located right beside the boat.
The afternoon included a late lunch, a few boat chores, a well-earned nap, and tonight we're headed to Joseph's Italian Bistro, which I've heard is one of the best Italian restaurants on the East Coast. We shall see...

Ace continues to settle into cruising life. He's finally walking around the boat more and has even started napping up with us. I think he's decided the pilothouse is preferable to the flybridge. What he doesn’t like are the little speedboats that come flying by and launch themselves off our wake like they're auditioning for a boating commercial.

Sorry these posts are so long. Every morning I think, "I really don't have much to write about today," and then somehow, I end up with a small novel.

Life is Good! 🚤⚓🐾⛳😊