2026 October: ICW at Hobucken NC

 10 October 2026
Depart: West Buck Island, NC anchorage 7:30
Arrive: Pongo Creek anchorage #1 near Belhaven, NC 4:45
Distance: ~ 71 nm
Conditions: Cloudy; drizzle; Dreary day with Hurricane Isaias down south

We crossed Albemarle Sound this morning. Due to the weather, we had very little company on the waterway today. The sailing vessel Pilgrim was one of the few boats venturing out in the dismal weather (besides us of course). Clark admired the Gaff-rigged sailboat.

S/V Pilgrim

The Alligator Bridge has been under construction for a replacement to the swing bridge that has been here "forever". It is under construction still with various cranes located alongside. 

New bridge supports

When not prohibited by high winds, the bridge opens "on demand". We called for an opening, and almost immediately thereafter, Pilgrim called as well. As we approached the bridge, they were well behind us, and we hoped we would not have to wait for them to get closer. However, they let the bridge know that they were at least 20 minutes out, so we were not made to wait for them. Odd that they called the bridge so early. 

The birds decided that they wanted to use the bridge as a resting place. 

I took some scenery pictures as we traveled. There was not much to see that we have not seen before, so nothing new really.

Scenes along the Alligator River followed by the Alligator Pongo canal and the Pongo River ...

We dropped anchor in Pongo Creek near the Pongo River just before 5:00. I had heated up leftovers for dinner before we "dropped the hook" and had dinner on the table by 5:30. We have been watching a series on Netflix called "Doc", and we watched the last 4 episodes this evening. Now we have to find something new to watch. 

11 October 2026 - Sunday
Depart: West Buck island anchorage 11:10
Arrive: Gale Creek Anchorage, Hobucken, NC 2:15
Distance: ~ 22 nm
Conditions: Rain, high winds, Remnants of Hurricane passing through NC

The weather prediction sounded messy for this morning, so instead of planning a 7:00 a.m. departure, we decided to let some weather pass by before heading out. Every other day I drag myself out of bed wishing I could stay asleep. Today, since I could sleep in, I was awake at 6:30 with no hope of getting back to sleep!

Regarding the decision of when we should pull up anchor and head out, Clark and I had a difference of opinion. The radar view I saw indicated an ugly, red section passing by making me prefer to stay put. Clark disagreed with my opinion and convinced me we should get underway around 11:00. 

While we waited for weather to pass, Clark ran the generator to get the batteries charged. The solar panels were not offering any assistance today. For entertainment, I opened up my laptop and played a couple of rounds of "Mah Jongg With Friends".

Yesterday, we traveled the Alligator River to the Alligator--Pongo Canal. Today we traveled the Pongo River across the Pamlico River to Goose Creek past RE Mayo on the Goose Creek canal to Gale Creek where we dropped anchor. 

The sky, full of clouds, was gray with no sun in sight. 

We had winds gusting to 20+ mph. Even the birds did not want to be out in the wind. They all bobbed along on the water instead.

I did see a couple of dolphins frolicking in the river but had no good picture of them.

Occasionally we got rain causing visibility to be severely reduced. Even so, we prefer to pilot the boat from the flybridge as the view from the pilot house, even on a good day, offers a much more restricted view. 

Occasional Rain (boat coming towards us)

Typical scenery today

At Hobucken, NC we passed the US Coast Guard station. 

Only boat here was on a trailer

Then  it was back to "more of the same" scenery in the canal.

Iconic Tree

We passed under a tall bridge, and I noticed on each side of the waterway where an old bridge had been removed.

Road block at end of road where old bridge was removed

Opposite side of creek where  old bridge used to sit

Next to the tall bridge sat a house that once sat on the road containing the old bridge and now resides on a dead-end street.

Just another view from the waterway

Our travels today took us past RE Mayo where we have sometimes stopped in the past. Coming up on RE Mayo, we could see the fishing trawlers tied at dock. 

Boden Michael

Birdie P and McKenzie

Birdie P side view

The docks here are not in the best condition.

Damaged dock

Today, being Sunday, the place looked deserted. Clark asked if I wanted to tie up to the dock, and I declined. Anchoring is faster and easier, and the dock is not the best.

RE Mayo - Marine Supply

We could have had the place almost to ourselves with just one transient sailboat tied up to the fixed dock. 

Loan sailboat at dock

The pirate ship was tucked away behind the fixed dock.

A small tug was tucked way in, off the main waterway for safe keeping. 

As we neared the end of today's travels, Clark debated which anchorage to go for. He had two in mind - one on either side of the Bay River. He decided on the closer of the two, and we dropped anchor in Gale Creek. He said we would have good protection from the south / southwest winds expected. 

We only traveled about three hours today, but just that short amount places us better positioned for our ride up the Neuse River tomorrow to visit our friend Ralph who lives up that way. 

View near the anchorage - not very exciting

Sunset on Gale Creek ...