Coinjock Marina is a great place to stop along the ICW. The Sandbar even had an Xmas tree up.

While we were at the pier a 1998 Bayliner 4788 arrived during the night and as they passed us we saw the severe damage to their bow.

It was a reminder about how dangerous boating down the ICW can be (especially when traveling at night). I hope nobody was seriously hurt. After having a crash like that you’d think you’d stay far away from everyone but as they passed us I thought for a second that they might hit us.

At that moment I went out in my PJs and attached two fenders to the canal side (just in case 😉  )

When we left Coinjock Marina it was foggy.

Even as we headed down the canal we had to rely on our radar to see any far out vessels.

As you travel down these canals you will find homes along the canal and people going about their daily business.

As we traveled along we saw several boats anchored just outside the channel. Being anchored well after sunrise is a sign that someone is having a peaceful morning enjoying their coffee.

We continued South down the North River and into Albemarle Sound. There was not a single boat to be found in the sound. We had the crossing to ourselves. While approaching the mouth of Alligator River I saw, what I thought were boats but upon closer binocular examination, I see they are some sort of mini islands? I’m not sure of their purpose? They look to big to be duck blinds?

We anchored at the head of the Alligator River as we lost daylight. The anchorage was quiet with no boats passing but the cellular signal was dead. During much of the transit we would see our cell signal go from LTE => 3G => Extended 1X => blank. At times we would be excited to see 3G and upon trying to connect, we’d see the signal instantly drop to “Extended 1X” which did not work at all.

 

The Alligator River – Pungo River Canal was long and straight.

Along the banks of this canal you can see the erosion from passing wakes.

You will see many birds as you float along. It’s a reminder to me to improve my ornithological skills.

 

You’ll see other things that you’ll want to stay clear of like …

 

At times this can be difficult as you run straight down the sun heading South. While the camera does well looking into the sun, I was struggling at times.

We arrived in Hobucken, NC and tied to an old dock for the night.

 

It’s been quiet here except for the passing tug pushing a barge down the river at night. At one point I was staring at a stand of tall trees that were illuminated on the shore and I could not for the life of me see the source of that light?

It became apparent moments later that it was the spotlight of an approaching tug and we braced for it’s passing wake.