From: "Capt Jon & Ruby" <papillon31@earthlink.net>

Subject: Papillon update

Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2003 19:54:27 -0500

N 34 ƒ12.4

W 077 ƒ47.9

Hello

We are so far out in the boonies that I have not had any phone service since Swansboro. There is a cell tower just down river from where we are anchored and looks like we are out of luck. Could not get it to work.

Monday, June 23rd, had my first day of decent weather today. Yesterday, despite the predictions it was not clear. It began to cloud up early so when I stopped in Belhaven, NC about noonish for fuel I just shut it down and pulled in for the night. Stayed at the River Forrest Marina. They have this really neat Hotel and Restaurant where I had my first sweet tea (in a while) and gorged my self on their buffet. The oyster fritters were to die for. Got the bike out and rode into town. Found the only place open, a wine/book store. Bought a $20 bottle of California Zinfandel, (7 deadly zins) that is really smooth, (they were having a tasting), and a John McDonald Book, Barrier Island. I read it many years ago but figured it would go good with the wine.

To get there I traveled up the Neuse River and run into a regatta that the Oriental Yacht Club was having in the river.

I would have joined them but I couldn't figure out how to get in the mix since they were going all different directions.

Today we made our run up the Alligator River and dropped the hook just south of Albemarle Sound. With the winds

light and out of the North, and predicted to stay that way, we thought it might be a safe bet to anchor in the river.

We put down just before sundown and it was a spectacular one. Pre 4th of July.

Tomorrow we have to decide whether we will go through the Dismal Swamp or the other route through Chesapeake. I have run the Dismal Swamp but while heading South. I may just wait till the fall but will probably call in the morning to see if it is open for passage and then decide. We are only 2 or 3 days out of Norfolk.

One more picture. Wanted you to see Ruby in the travel mode. I shot this at about noon. Rough life for a kat. She hasn't even gotten out of bed yet.

Hagd

Capt Jon & Ruby