November 17, 2013 Day 3 South
for the Winter
At
anchor Alligator River, NC
Dr. Seuss, “Oh the Places You’ll
Go”
“I’m sorry to say so but
sadly it’s true that bang ups and hang ups can happen to you.”
Well not “bang ups” today but definitely “hang
ups”. We had hoped to leave our anchorage
by 7:30 but our port engine did not start until 8:30. Add a heavy fog to that scene and that
started our day on the North River. We
entered the Albemarle Sound at 9:55 and were quite happy it was calm. We had enough to deal with the fog! By 11:30 we entered the Alligator River and
the fog which had lifted slightly now became much worse. We were 100 feet from the red and green
markers before we could see them!
We knew a boat which had passed us was waiting
at the Alligator River Bridge because we saw him on AIS. We slowly approached
the bridge and finally saw the boat as we got very close. We got in line to wait for a bridge opening (this
one opens on demand). However, the
bridge operator would not open the bridge because of the fog, so the cars
continued to cross and we became the spectators. About two hours later, the fog lifted. However, the gate that stops the cars was stuck! By now it is 2:00 and an electrician has been
called (yes, on Sunday). The line of
boats has increased to at least eight (although two or three bailed out and
went to the Alligator River Marina nearby).
We had already set the anchor and several others followed suit! At 3:40 the bridge opened and we quickly
pulled anchor and hurried through the opening.
We
continued on the Alligator River racing against the clock as sundown was
approaching all too soon. We arrived at
our anchorage thirty minutes after dark!
Joyce had to use a flashlight to see the painted markings on the anchor chain
to lower it to the right level.
The rest of the evening included dinner on
board and watching television. We hope
to get an early start tomorrow because the weather forecast is for rain and wind.
We have to cross the Pamlico Sound! Let’s
hope there are no bridges along the way!
