many updates all in one entry

1 Nov 2010,0730 hrs, depart Elizabeth City bound for Belhaven, NC.
It was sunny , light winds, and there was about 30 boats, power and sail.
Ah the pleasure soon ended when we entered Albemarle sounds, winds
E 15-20 and building.
and seas(3-4 ft) right on the beam,we have 1.5 hr crossing in that.
Things had to be lashed down, anyway after an exhausting 2 hrs
we finally passed into the Alligator River, but wait the winds
are still howling out of the NE, but now the 1-2 ft seas are directly behind us.
1700 hrs, finally arrived at Belhaven Marina,(85 statue miles) tired as shit.
Got things all sorted out, that was a long day. Got all the Landry done
and had supper at the local "Farm Boy", take out only!!!
Burgers and fries yum yum,That was ok hunger will endure anything.

2 Nov 2010, 0800, depart Belhaven along with a lot of other boats,
There is a bad piece of water, Palimo Sound/Neuse River which has
to be crossed, its very exposed to the Atlantic Oceans, and the
winds are always East or NE, which builds up the seas, and we
will be on a "beam" again!!!!!!.
As it was the winds were 15-20, gusts to 25, oh ya directly East.
It built up so fast, any another 1 hr on the beam, rocking and
rolling, then we turn up the Neuse River, so we can re-enter the ICW.
Now its directly behind us, so its "wag the dog 's tail" for the next 1.5 hrs.
Finally we get to re-enter the ICW, and slack water, but the winds are still
howling out the East, cold, not very nice.

1503 hrs, arrived at Morehead City Gulf Marina/Docks.
Lots of very big expensive "sport fishers" here.
This spot is for sport fisherman, and the local yachts
are tolerated.
We got dirt in our fuel"AGAIN', probably from being tossed
around like a rag doll. So we have to do a primary fuel filter
change later.
No Internet again, can't update the blog.
We were unsuccessful in getting the filter off the housing.
Have to try something different tomorrow.

0800 2 Nov 2010,we removed the housing, and disconnected the fuel lines.
Scott took the housing to a garage, where they finally got it off
It was reinstalled, and new filter put on, lines bled, etc etc, good start up.
Now its 1100 hrs, so had lunch and took off, not wanting to pay another $90
for dock age.
Fog and rain, but we were dry, that's not what some of the "sailors" we saw.
No dodger, no Bimini, etc...man they looked like drowned rats....we have been
there, but now we are "TRAWLER MEN" warm and cosy inside the cabin, couldn't
but feel sorry for them, mind you I was not going to change places hehehe.
From Morehead City to mile marker 245 the water is very shallow,
and you have to stay on the Magellan line...or else, as some boaters
found out today. At least 1 large power boat, and one sail boat,
both calling "Tow Boats US or Sea Tow".

There was a point just as we left Morehead City, that the depth
sounder said 0, and we dragged the Esperanza's bottom over the sandy bottom,
put the power to her and move on, can't be weak at heart.
If you stop, that it your stuck...well if you give it power and
get over that little area...that's good, and you get stuck, oh
well "Sea Tow". which you would have to call if you let up.
One good thing about sand and mud its very forgiving...not like rocks!!!

1700 hrs arrived at our anchorage, mile marker 245, "Mile Hammock Bay"
the military have their military "Camp LeJeune", and they have dredged
the inlet so that they can do exercise. There must be at least
30 boats in here, sail, power, big and small. Tonight we all share
the spot. As a added foot note, the military will kick everyone out
when they are doing excises, lucky for us they are not. 
Time for supper, fresh/frozen  haddock, to be pan fried, in a mild
beer batter, with lemon wedges, boiled Amish potatoes, and a sweet
corn on the corn...I bet you wish you were here right now, I know
that you are smiling  :)

4 Nov 2010, 0730 hrs, woke up to the "FOG" enveloped the whole anchorage
we left NS in the fog, now its following us down to here...!!@@
After 1 hr, it started to lift and we were able to leave the tight and
crowded anchorage.
It was raining cats and dogs, foggy.. just like good old NS, what
fond memories that brings...NOT
OK I Jess, but it was soupy, and we had to navigate through this tiny
channel, pass slow "sail boats".. they are such a nuisance :)
OK I really did not mean that.
I was happy to be inside the trawler, warm, dry and cozy.
Arrived at Carolina Beach,mile marker 295, where we have a friend,
that we met met in Antigua.
Doing some "shore" things and moving on 5th Nov....we hope.