Manteo, NC

Good evening everyone!

Despite the Patriots' loss (ARG!), we have had a wonderful first day back on the water.  We left Chesapeake, VA at 6:00 AM this morning and headed south. 

What a beautiful morning as the sun rose on the fall foliage.  Note the coffee-colored water.

We veered away from the InterCoastal Waterway (ICW) at about Mile 70 (as a reference point, we started at Mile 12 / Great Bridge) and headed Southeast towards Roanoke Island near the Outer Banks (just a 10-minute drive to Nags Head) and are now docked in Manteo (pronounced "Man-EE-Oh), NC (a total trip of about 80 miles).  It's a great small resort town with lots of cute restaurants and shops.  Although you can tell it's the off-season, it's a quaint and beautiful place.  Our main motivation for coming here was to reconnect with our friends Rick and Linda (and Kirby the Wonder Dog) who greeted us as we docked and it is so great to see them again!  We also wanted to visit places we didn't see last year when we headed South.  We will stay here until Tuesday - it's a great marina with lots of nice amenities - showers, laundry, wifi, etc. - all great!  We arrived at about 2:30 PM and after getting organized and taking a shower - I did a little exploring on foot with my camera - the views and area are just beautiful.

Master Plan docked at Manteo Waterfront Marina - we are on "face dock" - in other words - at the end of the dock.

In the distance is the Outer Banks - the beach - very built up - lots of houses and condos.

Rick and Linda are on the next face dock - doing a little work with their lines.  We docked behind them in Charleston last year and it's really great to see them again.

I walked across a bridge over to a small island and looking back, you can see both Rick and Linda's boat (Catamaran MakeItSo on the left) and Master Plan - almost in the center of the photo.  The Marina buildings are on the right - the top floors are condos.

Views of the marsh and waterways - breathtaking.

Looking at Master Plan from Rick and Linda's Dock - you can see the bridge in the background - which is where I was standing when I took some of the previous photos.

Southern Marshes Lighthouse - right next to the Marina - on the left, you can see the Outer Banks in the background.

We will spend a little more time tomorrow exploring the area and relaxing.  Our plan is to leave Tuesday and head to Oriental, NC - about 90 miles - we'll keep you posted! 

Thanks again for following along and for your friendship and support!  Love, Jen & Paul

Today's Quote:

I shall make of this day–each moment of this day–a heaven on earth. This is my day of opportunity.

~ Dan Custer