Hats off to Hatteras!

What a rush getting here. We came via the Atlantic against the advice of the charts and guidebooks. We had a following sea all the way up the coast, which made for a pretty smooth ride so I rationalized, "these books advertise for businesses along the ICW and so naturally they encourage boaters to stay inside - this is fine" The waves started building about 10 miles out of Hatteras, which was still fine because they were big rollers that were just pushing us a little harder - good for fuel economy, right? Then we had to turn to head into the inlet. The following sea became a sideways sea and that got a little dicey but timing is everything and as we were coming in, so was the tide. It pulled those sideways waves and us into the inlet at a wild speed. It was a little like rapids. Would have been a lot more fun if finding markers wasn't so critical. None of them are shown on the charts as the channel is constantly changing and the markers get moved regularly. So as you come into the inlet it becomes a game of speed finding your way through the shoaling. Anyone watching would have cracked up; "Green, there's the Green!" "Red 2 o'clock - turn! turn!" "Another Red! And Green - over there!" "Scrappy stay!" "3 Greens!" "We're in"

We docked and went straight to the bar. Great ride but neither of us said, "Wanna go again?" We'll be running inside tomorrow - the guidebook recommends it.

3 States in 3 Days!!

The weather has been kind to Uncorked. We've been able to run the Atlantic for three days with a gentle wind at our back. We spent Sunday & Monday in New Smyrna, FL (had to run up to Daytona and check on the house) but Tuesday we docked at Jeckyl Island, GA, Wednesday we tucked in at Charleston, and tonight we are in Wrightsville, NC. Long days but with flat seas, why not? I am so, so happy to have avoided the slow, no-wake nightmare of NC intercoastal. It's supposed to be pretty calm tomorrow so we are shooting for Cape Hatteras. NY by 5/10 is starting to feel like it could actually happen.

Lozons introduced me to audiobooks on the ipod so we have been entertaining ourselves for these 8 hour runs with Stephen Frey books. First, "The Chairman", and now the sequel, "The Protoge". Suspense novels set in the business finance arena - we love it. Could have done without the dramatic reading of the scene where the lead character is out boating and a storm comes out of nowhere almost capsizing his 150 footer. This chapter, of course, was read when we were out in the Atlantic with no land in sight. Lynn Lozon asked me a while back if I get nervous when I can't see land; well, I never used to but now that she asked...

Rain Rain Go Away Kathy Wants to Run Today

We returned to Marathon on the 20th to find Uncorked shining like a new dime. The wet-sanding and waxing really made a difference and Tom is one happy cappy. After errands and stocking the boat, we headed out.

We stopped over in Lauderdale for a little more maintenance; cleaning out the fuel tanks. It's amazing and grotesque what can grow in a fuel tank that is left sitting in the heat. The best way I know to describe the procedure is to say that the boat got a colonic.

We had a full day of running today. Mostly out in the Atlantic, which helped us gain some ground (so to speak) Eventually we had to slip in to get to a fuel stop. We ran this narrow little fresh water channel and for the first time ever in all my trips to Florida I saw gators. Creeped me out! Their heads were halfway out of the water and looked like really big rocks; one was right off our bow. And just beyond the gators, these guys were standing in the water fishing!? Also, this little day boat passed us going in the opposite direction (toward the gators) and all these girls were sitting out on the bow dangling their feet into the water. I just hope those gators weren't out looking for something to snack on.

Tonight we are in New Smyrna and Mother Nature is in a foul mood. It's raining and between downpours there is constant thunder and lightening. Hopefully she gets it out of her system by morning. Tom and I admit that we are fair weather boaters but we are also on a mission; NY by May 11.