We left in good time. It was sunny and windy but at our back so we put up our jib and motor-sailed down to Oriental NC. On the way we went through Pamlico Sound and river. This was actually an area that Blackbeard the pirate adopted as his home waters. The governor of NC at the time ( 1718 ), Alexander Spotswood dispatched a British Naval force to deal with Blackbeard. On November 22, Blackbeards forces were defeated and he was killed in a battle on Ocracoke Island. Rumor has it that his treasure is still buried at Springers Point on Ocracoke.

This is a very isolated area. After 3 days I have not been able to get cell phone service anywhere in North Carolina. Very frustrating.

I posted a few pictures as well of the fishing trawlers here that go up and down the waterways. Apparently these are very intimidating to meet when sailing at night.