Choppy Crossing back to the Inner Banks, NC!

Belhaven , North Carolina

Sunset at Ocracoke the night before we left

April  26-27
     We woke up before dawn to see if we would have a good weather window to cross the Pamlico Sound (open Atlantic ocean) for about 50 miles to Belhaven, our next stop.  It had been very windy for the last few days and we were concerned if we did not have a break, we  could be stuck here for several more  days.  After much  deliberation, Karl said it is a go!  We left at 6:30 am right when  the sun started to come up, out of the cloudy sky.  Winds were 15-20 knots from the SW and  the waves were very choppy over the shallow water.  They were a good 3-5 feet, hitting us on the beam.  Fortunately our boat handles waves very well and we we not too uncomfortable, but we went fast to plow through  it.  We got to the marina a few hours later, just in time to settle in before the really bad weather set in!  The winds picked up to 30-40 knots with  rain!  We are so surprised at how windy it has been!

Dinner at Spoon River Artworks and Market
We got to take this lovely flower arrangement home!

      Belhhaven is a very small town  on  the Pungo River.  The marina is small and very clean and nice.  There is a great grassy lawn right off our boat, which Salty is loving!  We met several new couples who are doing the Loop  and we got together in  the gazebo for docktails and conversation.

Hurricane water levels 

Karl and I went out to dinner in town at Spoon River Restaurant, which had a great reputation of being one of the finer dining experiences in NC!  It lived up to its rep! We had a fabulous meal and the caramel dessert was heavenly. The owner (the chef's wife) came over to talk to us and gave us the flower arrangement that was on the table to take home!  More Southern hospitality!
 

Nice grassy area in  the marina
You can play croquet or horseshoes on the lawn!