28 April, 2021. Smooth anchorage and waiting for winds to subside

14 sm; 2.7 hours

 

Just an uncomfortable anchorage last night.  Serenity rolled back and forth last night in constant 15 mph winds with gusts.  anchorage  Poor sleep with the tossing and turning.  Anchor held well throughout the night.

Early morning review of weather  found a small craft advisory to be issued this afternoon on the open waters.  Decision made--depart before the winds really pick up and get to a better protected anchorage.  Not going far, but this portion of the Pungo river is wide and considerable fetch with 15+ wind makes it rough.  We fired up the Yanmar and hoisted the anchor at 0745 and cruised at 1500 rpm and 6 mph as I wanted time to charge the batteries.  Wind waves 1-1.5 feet initially, then increased to two feet as we turned more northeast.  Wind swell generally from the stern to slightly quartering so the last 45 minutes a bit rolling.  

We selected an anchorage well up the Pungo river.  We turned off course just at the junction with the Pungo/Alligator  canal.  The anchorage has great reviews, great holding and reasonable protection from the wind and a place to land the dinghy.  Proceeding up a narrowing Pungo river until we came to Highway 264 bridge.  Serenity can go no further.  We back tracked a few hundred yards and dropped the anchor in 13 feet of 70 degree water at 0915.  Water considered smooth after the past two days of wind and waves.  Ripples off and on all afternoon, but well protected from the forecast 20-25 knots later. Pungo river anchorage

We made breakfast and just enjoyed the quiet of the anchorage.  A few homes off in the distance, and the highway is close enough for some road traffic but a still boat is a good thing.  I splashed the dinghy and gave Serenity a very good washing from waterline to the topsides.  We are way up the Pungo river, while tidal, the water tasted sweet and very little salt noted during the finger tasting method.  Took Kaos the dinghy on an exploration and found a local rudimentary small boat launch ramp.  Beached Kaos and went for a walk.

Not much else remains

Serenity far off as seen from the highway bridge

We are here

The highway bridge is fixed with about six feet of clearance, plenty for Kaos to get under.  Tomorrow we plan to resume and travel about 4 hours on the canal and anchor short of the long, wide section of the Alligator river.  It is looking like a weather window might open up this coming Saturday or Sunday.  Hoping it meets our criteria.

3387 SM traveled; 1632.3 hours hobbs