Since last post a lot has happenend. . . .

At Mile Marker 229 on the Intercoastal waterway plus 80 miles before that. We have been traveling a far distance and have many more to go since Stuart Florida is around 975.

We finally finished crossing the Cheaseapeake Bay which was an adventure and made it to the Intercoastal Waterway finally in Norfolk VA. Norfolk was busy since there is a huge naval base. We saw hundreds of warships, helicopters, and naval airplanes. We had to cross under several bridges that were like elevators. We actually stayed near the Naval Base called Willlohoby Bay. In the morning I saw naval planes and jets sore in the skies, it was like nothing I have ever seen before. Helicopteres circled us and jets roared.

Finally we landed on Dismal Swamp a protected canal. Its a detour off the intercoastal watereway. With much nicer views, then condos and interstate bridges. Our first night on the intercoastal wateway was at the North Carolina tourist center. Where most larger sailboats than us rafted up together. None of them rafted up with us, maybe because we were smaller than them I really couldn't tell. We spent a lovely evening there, Justin's family came and visited. It was a pleasure having them, Justin's Uncle, Aunt, Grandma and Mother were there. And for the first time we managed to fit 6 people onto a 26ft boat. Very exciting. We had soup and laughed and chatted.

Next days we plowed down the Intercoastal. We stayed at Justin's mom's old house. We saw seagulls, pelicans, and cormorant(swimming ducks,eat fish). The sunset and the sunrises were amazing from the boat. Along the way we stayed at some small creeks with hardly many boat nearby. We finally got to take a shower the other day after a few weeks. We used a solar shower bag and boiled hot water, then we mixed it with cold water and took a shower in the cockpit. It was an interesting experience as I have never done that before.

Now we are in Swansboro North Carolina at mile marker 229. Its kinda nice here. Very few boats are anchored. I think there is an airport nearby. And of course we get free internet access because of the marina across from us. Tommorow we are heading toward Wilmington North Carolina. We hope to anchor there and spend a few days there, its a long day tommorow and we will to get up early if we want to get there early enough. We are almost done with NC and cannot wait to venture through South Carolina, Georgia and finally Florida.

I can tell the weather is getting warmer. We saw Dolphins on our trip down Bogue Sound North Carolina. It was amazing. I don't think I have ever see wild dolphins other than ones in capitivity. The nature and wildlife that you see on a boat is amazing. Its so much better to view things from the waterway. I went grocery shopping today and was walking next to a loud highway and it was freakin me out because ive been like in another world that is so much quiter!!

Miss Kitty Wompus is doing better. She is very Nocturnal and likes to prowl at night. She still doesnt like the daytime very much but we try to encourage her every chance we get.

Well I hope you enjoy the pictures. Please post comments as we love to hear what you think.. I will try post as much as I can. But internet is hard to get sometimes.

take care
tasha and justin