We did see our first alligator (rather smallish), crossing the river right in front of us. To our amazement it didn't dive, but kept swimming to the other shore.
We arrived in Winyah Bay at lunch and started with the offshore prep.: Dinghy on deck, jack lines, prepare inner forestay, prepare storm jib, clean deck, cockpit and below from all the loose clutter, pre-cook some meals.
While resting, a family of dolphins came by. Mother with calf kept playing behind the anchored boat, in the current. Mother showed the calf how to smash the water with the tail fin. The calf needed more than a few trials to get the hang of it.
By now the weather forecast seems stabilized and we can make it to Cape Lookout / Beaufort (some 180Nm), but not around Cape Hatteras and Cape Henry (another 180Nm). From Beaufort to Norfolk it is 4-5 days motoring on the ICW. We will look at the weather once we are in Beaufort. To go around Cape Lookout, Cape Hatteras and Cape Henry to Norfolk is at least 2 days and one night, probably two nights. If weather will continue to delay us for an Atlantic trip we will chose the ditch (ICW) again. Right now we have one low pressure system following another passing north of us. Not the right time to be out there, at least for us.
For the list of things to fix: We broke one of the toilets today: The pump handle moves without resistance, feels loose, but the shaft turns, must be something inside, good to have a second toilet. Will be fixed on a lay day
