Moving Home Fast

Once again yesterday was a perfect day for boating. We left Manteo about 8:00 and headed for Coinjock. We realized as noon came that we were going to be there by 2:00 also the Great Bridge Lock was under repair. The lock could be closed for up to 4 hours at a time, but only between 9:00 and 5:00.

If we kept going we would arrive after 5:00 and have no problem, we kept going. At 7:00 we went through alone. Now we needed a place to stay. During our trip both in the fall and now our cell phone has been invaluable. We have gotten use to calling ahead and reserving a spot. The cell phone was not working. Just past the lock was a marina which said they had some free docks if you had dinner in their restaurant, but we our not phone to reserve.

Top Rack Marina turned out to be one of the marinas we have seen a lot of. They have an enormous building where they stack outboards up to about 35 feet. Beside this building was a smaller one housing offices, a small ships store and the restaurant. Out front there was room for 30 boats. We had our pick of docks, which had signs stating they were free if you ate in the dinning room.

We tied up, plugged in and went to dinner. Before dinner I used the Wifi and Majic Jack to phone Wind Mobile. The dinner was excellent and upon our return the phone was fixed. By the way Top Rack Marina is just outside Norfork.

The last bridge which had caused us any concern.

Trish in The Great Bridge Lock at dusk.

Irish Mist at Top Rack Marina. The bridge in the background is 97 feet high.

By the way for our friends in Toronto all is not sunshine it rained in the middle of the night.