Degrees of change...

Due to a misunderstanding last weekend was the weekend we should have been in Virginia Beach!  So now we are heading north/home.  Wouldn't you know it, now it has cooled off - though we're not sure for how long.  I think one of the reasons it was cooler today was the north winds, 20 knots, right on the nose!  We had 2 foot waves with our boat speed under 4 knots at times so we stopped early.  This particular section of the ICW doesn't have very many good anchorages, and it didn't look like we would make it to Great Bridge, VA before the last bridge opening.  Our guide book mentioned that one of the few anchorages we might come to could have all the water blown out with strong north winds.  Tomorrow the winds are forecast to be lighter, so we're planning on an early start.

The high temp today was only 86, but with the 20 knot breeze it was quite comfortable both on deck and below.  We noticed that our motoring speed wasn't too good (even before the headwinds) and then we remembered that we haven't cleaned the boat bottom since we were in the Bahamas.  I used our scrubber this afternoon (we try not to use it too often so we don't remove all the bottom paint) so we're hoping to be able to motor a little faster tomorrow.  We also pulled the dinghy up on deck as we don't think we will be using it for a while.  We had scrubbed it clean while we were in New Bern but it was already showing considerable growth.  Not towing the dinghy should also help the big boat speed.

Saturday morning we went to the farmer's market in Elizabeth City.  Then in the afternoon we checked out The Museum of the Albemarle - a very nice museum.

Sue bargaining for our next meal.

My favorite item at the museum - anybody know what it is?

I was talking with a friend of ours today who is getting ready to deliver their new boat from Lake Champlain to Lake Erie.   He was complaining about the terrible weather there - cold enough for long pants, fleece jackets and foul weather gear.  We might have to head to Lake Champlain!

I also have to report that the ICW mustache is back.  It was actually back the first or second day after we left New Bern. 

We also had dinner at Dairy Queen last night - we knew we could get a cold dessert there!