Where is GYPSEA?

Hello All! We left Moorehead City in the rain with a fair amount of chop. Our initial plan was to enjoy a short run today and head to Belhaven, NC and relax, which unfortunately isn’t in our DNA. When we were less than an hour from The Belhaven Marina, close to noon, we contacted them and as fate would have it, it is literally the only marina we have ever booked at on Docwa (an online marina reservation service that virtually all marinas use these days, with some exceptions, namely Coinjock!) that allowed cancellations with a full refund 24 hours in advance. They readily accepted our cancellation and I believe we will still get a refund as well. I took the opportunity on a calm stretch of the ICW to do a resistive exercise band workout in the helm area.

We passed under a number of bridges today, including one that requested our coast guard number before we passed, which had me scrambling from the flybridge to go down and find the envelope with that information. By the time I got it, we were well past the bridge!…At our destination later in the day I shared this story, and one rather funny boater said, “I just make one up!”…not recommending that, but it did make me laugh!

It was only another 3 hours to get to Coinjock from Belhaven, and with most of it on the ICW in areas where it was very wide, deep, and we were able to travel faster than is typical on the intracoastal. That is also because there were vast stretches of wilderness settings, vs homes on either side which meant we didn’t have to worry about creating a boat wake. The dolphins were there, but still not hanging around long enough for a pic! We passed a number of shrimp and crab boats with warm waves and friendly smiles. They all really do work hard for their money! (RIP Donna Summer). The contrast of fantastic homes with stretches of quiet nature was really nice, and mixed in between was the Pamlico Sound which was like boating through a washing machine and confirmed that the overall inside route on the ICW was the way to go today. Those reading this post who are familiar with Lake Winnipesaukee in NH (where we had a home and boated for years) could compare this to the Broads on a very busy boat day with lots of chop. Once we passed Pamlico and moved up the North River it returned to a very calm ride and we made our final circuitous passage up to the world famous Coinjock Restaurant and Marina in Coinjock, NC. It was so underwhelming, in a great way! Simple buildings, warm and friendly people working and many locals enjoying as well. Since it was a Monday, it was a slower day, which we were fine with. It is such a dichotomy looking at this humble marina and restaurant paired with yacht after yacht on a one thousand foot long dock that if needed will raft boats (tie one boat up to the boat next to the dock) to offer all who wish, an opportunity to experience this marina and restaurant. I would guess that better than 90% of those who come, stay for just the night before moving out towards their final destination. It provides a nice way to meet other boaters making the trip up north this time of year and compare routes, experiences, and exchange advice. Our boat buddy from RI (who we originally met in Fort Pierce) sure enough ended up docking right behind us! Super nice gentleman with lots of advice on this trip which he has done many times before north and south. Made us feel good that we have been able to keep up pace with him (not that this is a race or is it ;)…lots of testosterone between him and Carl, just saying!).

So how was the famous Coinjock prime rib! Well first we had to try a cup of crab bisque…as Carl says, we are in “Crab country!” Certainly for prime rib lovers, the prime rib it did not disappoint. It was definitely a bit overwhelming to see such a large slab of meat arrive to the table, but we did a good job with it (not proud of that..but all who are boaters know how hungry you get after a day on the water…if you ski or skimobile you can relate). A simple baked potato and veggie on the side were perfect, the meat was king!…For those of you who are again familiar with Lake Winnipesaukee it is reminiscent of getting the “King Stuffed Lobster” at the now closed Sandy Point restaurant. Same modest mom and pop vibe. It was a once a year pilgrimage to just eat that lobster and who cared what it came with! Apparently though, Coinjock was sold to a more coporate entity a couple of years ago. My understanding from speaking with one of the employees is that they did not play with the menu and most of the changes were in the running of the back end of the business. Of course I got a mandatory Coinjock T shirt (went with the XXX and am wearing now as night shirt while I type!). I was sitting at the table with Carl and I could not stop saying just how much I love boating, and especially as we have been able to do on this trip. I do not for a minute take for granted this opportunity and the hard work (especially on Carl’s part) that has afforded us to do this. We have met just so many great people, have had the opportunity to see cities and towns from many different perspectives and not always on the beaten path. I had a smile from ear to ear throughout my time at Coinjock.

As of this writing we do not have a set destination for tomorrow, but certainly past Norfolk, VA which is not far from here. We could have easily made it to Norfolk yesterday if we wanted to push, but how could we resist the allure of Coinjock!

As an aside, I had mentioned my mother-in-law Olivia in my last post, and that got me thinking of my own mom who we lost a number of years ago. I was talking/praying to her a lot yesterday for some reason telling her how grateful I am for this experience and how I wished she lived to see it. When I grabbed a little bag I haven’t used since last boating season before I made my way to the Coinjock marina store, I felt something inside and it was a gold butterfly pendant…butterflies were and still are a symbol to my sisters and I of our mom! I think she heard my prayers!

Until my next post the best to you all!

Leaving Moorehead City, definitely an industrial feel here!

Fishing is certainly a main sourcre of livelihood here in North Carolina. The small crab boat was incredible to watch. They were pulling up and putting in crab pots faster than I could get photos of. What a team!

This appears to be some type of stealth army vessel!

Osprey and other birds like to nest on the top of the Pylons along the waters of the ICW

A view from AquaMap on my phone, notice our boat (purple boat symbol) approaching green marker # 153 on starboard (right)

Always re-assuring when the marker you see on the map is where it should be on the water!…In some areas of the ICW, especially where it is shallow and common for shoals to form, the markers may be moved to assure travel in a deep enough channel.

A nice little summer cottage on the water! Pretty magnificent!…notice it, like most homes we have passed in this area of the ICW is built on stilts.

The next several photos show how I piece together mini workouts when we are underway. A piece of resistance exercise band and a place to wrap it around is all I need. I also had push ups leaning on the rails, and when at port then will get out my mat and do a full Pilates workout. That type of workout has eluded me so far this trip because we are up and out every morning. Of course just moving on a boat that is rocking and rollling is great for the core and to work on my balance (done also well ahead of time to prepare for this, I don’t take the fact that I have osteoporosis lightly…but remember it is improving! and collagen peptides and exercise have definitely helped!)

This first picture I am actually using a generic brand of “Body blade” this is great for proximal shoulder girdle and upper body strength and can be used in a number of creative ways as demonstrated in a video in this link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=722uLvNA3eA )

While on the topic of exercise, want to give a quick shoutout to Amanda Makrys who is an amazing spin and tread instructor! and my friend and colleague Robin Taylor, DPT who has put together some great exercise videos that I use on a regular basis.

https://www.youtube.com/@striveptp

http://treadreading.com/

Hard to tell in this pic, getting a nice quad workout band is behnd the other ankle and doing a short arc from 90 degrees to about 65…less stress on the patella (knee cap) and easy to do when having to sit…also step in the band when sitting and do my biceps…

TA DAH!!!!!!! THE FAMOUS COINJOCK RESTAURANT AND MARINA!

GYPSEA was lucky enough to get a slip right in front of the restaurant…could have used a longer walk after the meal we ate!

Other boats were making their way in after us! The pligramage up north for the summer!

The benefits of being in “Crab country!”….and drumroll please!…….

If it’s your thing, then it certainly didn’t disappoint…I still have a hard time looking at this picture and knowing some of that is in me!…Lots of working out today!!!!

View out the berth (bedroom) across the river from Coinjock. Such a humble area and so welcoming to all the massive floating hardware that comes their way!

So long Coinjock! Next stop somewhere in Virginia!