Sunshine almost always makes me high! (John Denver)
M/V Joshie passed us todayFrom: Dragon Point Anchorage in the Banana River, FL MM 914.2
To: Vero Beach Municipal Marina, Mooring Ball 49, Vero Beach, FL MM 951.7
L/L: 27 39.75N 80 22.37W
Distance Traveled: 40.9
Hours Motoring: 6.1
Average Speed: 6.7 mph
Weather: Partly cloudy to sunny; temp range: 70 - 81 degrees; ESE @ 20 - 25 knots; rough on the waterway
Comment: The weather prediction for today (and the next five days) is for lots of wind. In an attempt to mitigate the effects of the wind on our travel, we opted for an early departure from Dragon Point. We were underway at 0630. The wind was already at 15 knots out of the east. Once under the bridge, we unrolled some jib and were scooting along at 7.5 mph. We traveled a stretch of about twenty -seven miles of open water in building wind and seas. On two occasions, when the AICW turned to a more eastwardly course, we had to roll in the jib to prevent it from flogging as we motored along. Needles to say, our speed dropped dramatically on these occasions.
Once in the protected waters of the mangroves, we rolled up the jib and navigated the twisty course through the mangroves to the Vero Beach Municipal Marina. After refueling and taking on water and getting the holding tank pumped out, we motored to our assigned mooring.
Once secured to the mooring ball and after getting situated, we launched the dingy, checked out the cruiser’s lounge, took a walk and made it back to the boat by 2000 hours.
Tomorrow, we’ll probably take a beach walk and check out the beachside community. We’ll hold off our boat chores until Monday.
Motor Yachts and the Haulover Canal Bascule BridgeFrom: New Symyrna Beach City Marina, FL MM 846.0
To: Dragon Point Anchorage in the Banana River, FL MM 914.2
L/L: 28 08.58N 80 36.18W
Distance Traveled: 68.7 miles
Hours Motoring: 10.2
Average Speed: 6.7
Weather: Partly sunny; east wind 15 - 20 knots with gusts to 25; temp range 68 - 84 degrees
Comment: We were flying today! We spent several hours making about 8 mph. Our average speed was 6.7 mph.
The intracoastal waterway was abuzz with southbound traffic today. We were passed by one-half dozen motor yachts that were 70 to 80 feet long, not to mention the ones that were 50 to 60 feet long. There were at least a dozen of them! All were professional and most courteous when they passed our little vessel. Of course, there were the usual 30 to 40 footers too.
After a long day (10.2 hours underway & 68.7 miles), we set the anchor in Dragon Point. Shortly thereafter, a flotilla of charter boats from Canada arrived, five in all. They made two rafts and spent the night partying. Each boat was populated by young couples and they seemed to be having a great time. The raft of three anchored close to us on two anchors. The forecast is for 15 - 20 knot winds out of the east for the rest of the night, tomorrow, the next day, the day after that and the day after that. This pattern to be followed by 25 - 30 knots out of the east for two days before the wind clocks to the southeast. No matter to us, we’ll be in Vero Beach tomorrow, sitting out the blow on a mooring ball and watching the boat traffic come and go for the next week or two.
Captain Rich of S/V The Great Catsby tries to convince Anna Marie to sail to the Bahamas this year!To: New Symyrna Beach City Marina, FL MM 846.0
L/L: 29 01.64N 80 55.24W
Distance Traveled: 38.4
Hours Motoring: 7.4
Average Speed: 5.2 mph
Weather: Sunny; temp range 68 - 81 degrees; north wind 15 - 20 gust to 25; choppy on the waterway
Comment: What’s this... the sun is up but we are not! Let’s get going!! We got a late start this morning. Probably because we had a great night’s sleep. Even though there was wind blowing all night, we were below it and protected in the little basin by the Cement Plant. Things even quieted down after the Sea Ray plant closed for the evening.
We were underway by 0710 but by 0730, the captain needed a nap (don't ask)! After resting for an hour, we were back underway and had an uneventful passage to New Smyrna Beach, where we met our friends, Joe and Dee.
Before New Smyrna Beach, we had four bascule bridges to negotiate. The three bridge captains at L. B> Knox, Main Street and Memorial Bascule Bridges were very professional, friendly, and courteous. The Main Street Bridge captain was particularly thankful that we agreed to wait for another vessel to “catch up,” so we could both go through together and save her (and the motorists) another opening. The Captain of that boat, M/V Cat’s Cradle, offered that he’d like to see this bridge captain handle the Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine. Although we didn’t have any trouble with that bridge captain on this passage, we have had some in the past.
We spent another lovely evening with Joe and Dee and thank them for their hospitality.
P.S. We arrived back at the marina, Canvasback Too was tied up in a slip across the floating dock from us. Captain Dave has caught up!
From: Pine Island (about 10 miles north of St. Augustine), FL MM 765.0
To: The Cement Plant, 6 miles south of the Palm Coast Marina, FL MM 809.1
L/L: 29 29.81N 8109.02W
Distance Traveled: 46.3
Hours Motoring: 8.2 hours
Average Speed: 5.6
Weather: Sunny; temp range 69 - 81 degrees; NE to E wind @ 10 - 15 knots; light chop on the waterway
Comment: Although slow because of foul currents, the day’s travel was relatively easy except for one spot of terror! We had to negotiate the Bridge of Lions (St. Augustine) with max current on our stern. It was a bit of a challenge because only one half of the span was opened. The fenders that protect the bridge were not completed. Huge spikes were sticking out, waiting to puncture any hull that was swept into them by the current. Not a particular problem for tug boats and barges, but those things could do serious damage to a plastic boat. We came within a foot of the spikes before clearing the closed span and turning away.
After a few stiff drinks, we motored down the waterway, passing through the Crescent Beach Bridge and then past Fort Matanzas. We took on fuel at the Palm Coast Marina. Less than an hour later the anchor was set in the “Cement Plant” anchorage. The anchorage only has one foot of tide, almost no current, quite a change from places we've anchored in recently. For the first time in a long while, we were swinging to the wind rather than the current. What a difference!
Although it is not a particularly scenic anchorage, it was great not to have to worry about anchor drag for a change!
From: Amelia River, FL MM 719.8
To: Pine Island (about 10 miles north of St. Augustine), FL MM 765.0
L/L: 30 03.13N 81 21.82W
Distance Traveled: 46.4
Hours Motoring: 7.4 hours
Average Speed: 6.3 mph
Weather: Mostly sunny; temp range 55 - 82 degrees; north wind @ 10 to 15 knots moderate chop on the waterway
M/V Stickless - a small Hunter sailboat that has been converted into a trawler
Comment: Here’s something unusual - We had the current with us most of the day! At times we were doing over 9 mph. The MacCormack Bridge construction project had one half of the waterway closed down but there was plenty of room for SUNSHINE to pass through.
Along our travels, we passed the M/V Stickless, a sailboat in its former life that is now this man's trawler.
Amazingly, we passed the tow (remember that tow we first passed way back in Wall’s Cut?) again. THis time it wasn’t underway, but the little tugs were peeling off various barges and other equipment. The big tug Goose Creek, which towed it from Charleston to here, was already gone. Apparently some of the Palm Valley cut needs to be dredged. We did see a short section of eight foot depths, but most was over twelve feet deep.
We set the anchor on the south side of Pine Island near two other boats. By bed time, there were seven boats in the anchorage. Since we were a bit close to M/V First Snow, we set an anchor watch. There were no problems on this night.
From: Jekyll Island Harbor Marina, Jekyll Island, GA MM 684.5
To: Amelia River, FL MM 719.8
L/L: 30 33.34N 81 29.83W
Distance Traveled: 35.5
Hours Motoring: 6.8
Average Speed: 5.2
Weather: Overcast gave way to partly sunny skies; temp range mid 60’s to low 80’s; NW wind @ 10 knots but 10 to 15 overnight
Comment: After shooting out Jekyll Creek, we hit a foul current that made for very slow going. As it happens, Canvasback Too left the dock about 15 minutes before we did, giving Captain Dave about a one mile lead. We were in the company of several other boats, all going rather slowly, but none slower than us.
As we rounded a bend in the river, we noticed that Captain Dave had pulled off to the side of the waterway. Apparently he needed a nap. A power boat came by and through him a huge wake but it didn’t budge the Cap from his dreams. When we finally caught up, good ole Captain Dave was still resting. Gee, I hope it wasn’t last night’s Brunswick Stew!
We had the anchor down in the Amelia River, but Captain Dave decided to spend the night in the Brickhill River, muttering something about missing all the excitement he had while anchored there for two nights last year.
We miss the Cap. We’ve been traveling companions since Osprey Marina. He may anchor in the Fort George River tomorrow night. It’ll be a full day for him, but only 16 miles for us, so we may not see him again for a couple of days. We have made arrangements to meet some friends in New Smyrna Beach on Thursday.
From: Fort Frederica, St. SImon Island, GA MM 665.7
To: Jekyll Island Harbor Marina, Jekyll Island, GA MM 684.5
L/L: 31 02.80N 81 25.38W
Distance Traveled: 14.5 miles
Hours Motoring: 2.5 horus
Average Speed: 5.8 mph
Weather: temp range low 60’s to high 70’s; clouds give way to sunshine, WNW wind @ 10 15 knots
Comment: While pulling up the anchor, we found that the kellet had disconnected from the anchor rode, making it useless for its intended job. The kellet line was double wrapped around the anchor rode, probably because of all the spinning around the anchor.. We have to get this figured out!
Part of the problem was the wind which picked up for a short time during a brief overnight squall. Besides the wind, we had a little bit of rain. It was all over in less than a half hour and neither Anna Marie nor I thought anything about it.
We motored down the Frederica River and when we entered the ICW, we rolled out the jib. WE were motorsailing nicely in the 10 to 15 knot northwest wind. As we navigated through St. Simon Sound, we passed a ship at anchor. The jib was rolled in just before entering Jekyll Creek.
After taking on fuel and getting the holding tank pumped out, we were secured to our spot on the facedock by about 1000 hours.
The Red Bug Pizza Delivery Electric Car
As usual, Anna Marie and I rode the loaner bikes around the “cottages,” the quaint stores where only a few purchases were made, then on to the beach and finally the grocery store before returning the bikes to the marina.
We joined Captain Dave for dinner at Sea Jays (goo Brunswick Stew).
A short day (35 miles) to the anchorage in the Amelia River is planned for tomorrow. It will be a milestone as the Amelia River is in Florida... we will have arrived, but still have a long way to go!
Early morning fog provides a monochromatic view of the Cattlepen Creek AnchorageFrom: Cattle Pen Creek, St. Catherine Island, GA MM 625.5
To: Fort Frederica, St. Simon Island, GA MM 665.7
L/L: 31 13.18N 81 23.70W
Distance Traveled: 44.4
Hours Motoring: 8.3
Average Speed: 5.3 mph
Weather: Fog at wake up time caused a one hour and one-half delay in leaving the anchorage; temp range low 70’s to low 80’s; south wind @ 10 knots
Comment: Early morning fog cause us to delay leaving the anchorage for about an hour and one-half. We got underway on a warm Saturday morning in bright sunshine. Unfortunately, we bucked the current most of the day. Our trip through the Little Mud River was uneventful although, traversing this shallow area at dead low tide caused some concern for Captain Dave. Canvasback Too has a five foot draft. At one point, his depth sounder showed only six inches of water under his keel.
Shrimper comes out of the fog
We made our way to the Fort Frederica anchorage at St. Simon Island and, after we were sure the hook (another night for the Fortress FX-23) was set, Canvasback Too
sidled up to raft with us again.
From: Herb River, Thunderbolt, GA MM 584.4
To: Cattlepen Creek, St. Catherine Island, GA MM 625.5
L/L: 31 38.49N 81 11.14W
Distance Traveled: 41.6 miles
Hours Motoring: 7.0
Average Speed: 5.9 mph
Weather: Cloudy and overcast all day; mid 60’s to mid 70’s; East wind 10 - 15 knots
Being overtaken by a power cat
Well, well, well, there’s that tow again! Fortunately, we had another wide spot in the water way to pass all that apparatus. Before passing the “tow,” we navigated Hell’s Gate. There were no shallow depths as the area was dredged last summer.
Once the anchor was down and secured, we invited Canvasback Too to raft with us. It’s the first time since we lost our primary ground tackle back at the Butler Island Anchorage in the Wacamaw River. Once Canvasback Too was tied up, we started swinging wildly. The wind was blowing at fifteen knots out of the east and the current was opposite the wind direction. Fortunately, the rode stayed below our keels. After nightfall, the wind calmed and things settled into a more comfortable motion. Here’s hoping it stays that way until we separate tomorrow morning.
From: Factory Creek, Beaufort, SC MM 535.9
To: Herb River, Thunderbolt, GA MM 584.4
L/L: 32 00.95N 81 02.40W
Distance Traveled: 49.9
Hours Motoring: 8.1
Average Speed: 6.2 mph
Weather: Partly cloudy to sunny; temp range 64 - 82 degrees; east wind <>
Comment: Up Early!
We were up and pulling the anchor at 0615. Captain Dave is sure a slave driver! The real culprit was the Lady’s island Swing Bridge. We had to go through before 0700 or wait until 0900. It is closed to boat traffic during the morning (and afternoon) rush hours.
We had the current with us for all but an hour or two. The ride to the Herb River anchorage was easy. On the way, we passed the one quarter-mile long tug towing the dredge equipment that we passed yesterday in Wall’s Cut. The tow is headed to Jacksonville and is traveling at less than 4 knots all day and night. I’m not sure how far he goes in a twenty four hour period, but I suspect we’ll see him again.
Today, we managed to pass in a relatively wide section of water just before the narrow Ram’s Horn River. That was lucky!
This is the third night on the hook since loosing our primary anchor. Our first choice was the 25 lb. CQR with 80 feet of 5/16" chain. The chain weights a little over one pound per foot. That means one must retrieve over one hundred pounds of ground tackle by hand. It's not an easy feat and it is the reason we had a windlass installed. It held well in the stormy conditions that night, but was a bear to haul up in the morning. Last night and tonight, we have chosen to use the Fortress (FX-23) it weighs about 17 lbs. (if I remember correctly) and it has sixty feet of a much smaller diameter chain. It has superior holding power and is much easier to bring up in the morning. We'll use the Fortress under normal conditions and will resort to the CQR when strong winds are predicted.
Quater mile long tow in Wall's CutFrom: Church Creek Anchorage, 10 miles south of Charleston, SC MM 488.2
To: Factory Creek, Beaufort, SC MM 535.9
L/L: 32 25.36N 80 38.98W
Distance Traveled: 49.0
Hours Motoring: 8.3
Average Speed: 5.9
Weather: During the wee hours of the morning, there were thunder and lightening storms in the vicinity, but not near us. The day dawned dark and overcast, rain threatened. The temp range was 72 - 84 degrees; SW wind @ 10 knots or less
Passing the tow
Comment: Motoring in the Low Country
After departing the anchorage, we motored down several rivers and cuts through thousands of acres of undeveloped shore line. It sure is nice to see the low country this way.
In Walls Cut, the man made canal that connects the Dawho River with the South Edisto River, we caught up to and passed about nine sailboats. We have seen or heard on their crew
on the radio since Oriental, NC. As luck would have it, a tug was pulling loads of dredging equipment. Top speed seemed to be around three knots. In all, the tow was about one-quarter mile long. The deeper draft boats were reluctant to pass in the narrow cut, concerned that getting too close to the water’s edge, would put them aground. With a relatively shallow draft, we were not as concerned and motored past the sailboats and the tow. Once out of the cut, all of the sailboats passed the tow but by then, we were way ahead. As usual, they tracked us down and overtook us just before the Lady’s Island Swing Bridge. Rather that pass through the bridge today, we joined a group of five boat to anchor in Factory Creek.
The tug doing the towing
Tomorrow we should be in Georgia. If that is to happen, we’ll have to get up in the wee hours of the morning. If we don’t make the 0700 opening of the bridge, we’ll have to wait until 0900 for the next opening.
Sunset from the Factory Creek Anchorage, Beaufort, SC
From: Leland Oil Company Marina, McClellanville, SC MM 430.0
To: Church Creek Anchorage, 10 miles south of Charlestown, SC MM 488.2
L/L: 32 42.53N 80 10.77W
Distance Traveled: 58.3
Hours Motoring: 9.4
Average Speed: 6.2 mph
Weather: Cloudy, overcast and afternoon rain; east wind 10 knots or less except gusts to 20 in squall; temp range 63 - 77 degrees
Comment: Fair Currents Today!
Today, our average speed was 6.2 mph. It was a relatively easy day on the waterway. The Coast Guard broadcast several unscheduled safety bulletins including a report of a boat adrift in the Ashley River and the sinking S/V Ragtime between the city marina and the CG Station. S/V Ragtime remains on the bottom, is unmarked and is not visible at high tide.
Rain started falling about an hour before it was time to anchor. Just as it was time to get the ground tackle ready for deployment, a squall blew threw with 20 knot gusts. The rain blocked all visibility and we had to follow our line into the anchorage from last year’s visit to this anchorage.
After the anchor was set, the rain and the wind stopped (go figure!). As of this writing, it remains calm in the anchorage now occupied by a total of four boats (a very large motor yacht, the PDQ 36 Pretty Penny (first sighted in Mile Hammock Bay), Canvasback Too (lying on his own hook) and SUNSHINE (lying to her 25 lb. CQR plow anchor).
From: Butler Island Anchorage on the Wacamaw River, SC MM 396.0
To: Leland Oil Company Marina, McClellanville, SC MM 430.0
L/L: 33 04.98N 79 27.75
Distance Traveled: 34.4
Hours Motoring: 5.9
Average Speed: 5.8mph
Weather: Mix of rain, fog, overcast; temp hovered in the low 60’s all day; north wind @ 10 knots
Comment: Houston, We Have a Problem!
Our day started much as any cruising day as we prepared for departure from our anchorage. WE cast Canvasback Too off at about 0715 and set about pulling up the anchor. Not so fast! The anchor is apparently wrapped around one of the keels.
This has happened to SUNSHINE three other times since we’ve owned her. It has never been fun, but we always managed to get the rode free after a lot of effort. On this occasion, we had great difficulty. After a couple of hours, there was a shudder and we were floating freely. We pulled in the anchor only to find that it and the chain was missing! Not good!
There was no way we could find the anchor. The only thing left to do was motor down the waterway. Fortunately, we have three other anchors on board.
While motoring down Winyah Bay in the cold and rain, Anna Marie set about finding a new destination. She decided on Leland Oil Company Marina and Captain Dave concurred.
As the day progressed, the rain stopped and sky brightened a bit.
After tying up, we did several boat chores and sorted out our anchoring options. Captain Dave joined us for dinner and conversation. Before hitting the sack, we listened to a bit of the Eagles.
Lay Day: Osprey Marina, Socastee, SC MM 373.5
Weather: Breezy; cloudy; overnight showers, but none during the daylight hours
Comment: The bad weather never materialized, although there were a few downpours last night. The day was spent in conversation with Captain Dave and other cruisers. After a late dinner, we’ll meet with Dave to plan tomorrow’s departure time and destination. We're looking forward to working our way down the waterway in his company again.
From: Calabash Creek, SC MM 341.7
To: Osprey Marina, Socastee, SC MM 375.2
L/L: 33 40.88N 79 02.46W
Distance Traveled: 32.4
View from the helm, Casino Boats, Little River, SC
Weather: Another beautiful, sunny day; temp range high 50’s to the mid 80’s; wind start light and built to 10+ knots out of the southwest.
Comment: How’s this for a surprise... the new engines are ready for their 100 hour service (we don’t want any warranty issues). Yesterday, we made arrangements to have the Yamaha Certified Technicians at Anchor Marina do what is required.
We raised the anchor at 0800 and made it to ANchor Marina at the appointed hour (0900) where SUNSHINE was quickly lifted out of the water (again!). Anna Marie and I took care of some business and when we returned, SUNSHINE was ready to be put back in the water. We were back underway in only one and one-half hours. Now that’s pretty efficient in my book.
Ribbon of highway
We motored the rest of the way down the “Grand Strand,” that is Myrtle Beach, and made Osprey Marina by 1515 hours. After fueling up and pumping out, we motored to our assigned slip (yes, we have a slip!), hooked up and attended to some tasks.
Captain Dave (Canvasback Too) is here and we are celebrating our reunion by going to Scatori’s for dinner tonight.
We intend to stay another night because bad weather is on its way. We should be out of here on Sunday.
Outdoor swing bed
From: Carolina Beach Anchorage, Carolina Beach, NC MM 295.1
To: Calabash Creek, SC MM 341.7
L/L: 33 52 48N 78 34 22W
Distance Traveled: 47.8 miles
Weather: Look at this... another sunny day, and warm too! Temp range 55 to 82 degrees; light wind out of the south; calm on the waterway.
Sunrise over the Carolina Beach anchorage
Comment: Fair or Foul?
No, I’m not talking about the Phillies, who earned a return to the World Series last night, I’m talking about the currents on the sections of the waterway we must navigate today. We raise anchor in civil twilight, several minutes before dawn, and found a favorable current in Snow’s cut, the cut that connects the waterway with the Cape Fear River. Usually, a favorable current in means a foul current in the river. We we reached the river, we continued to enjoy a favorable current for the first hour in the river. The current turned against us with about 6 of the 10 river miles to go. By the time we reached Southport, the current was about seven-tenths of a knot against us, until we turned the corner back the the ICW. We enjoyed a seven-tenths knot push for a couple of hours before “hitting the wall” at Lockwood’s Folly Inlet. The current went from fair to foul and vice versa as we approached and passed Shallotte Inlet. We enjoyed another push from the current as we approached and passed the Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge and rode it to the anchorage at Calabash Creek in South Carolina. That’s right, we crossed another boarder today. We are making southerly progress, indeed.
Also of note, we are one quarter of the way from Norfolk to Miami.
An interesting take on a fishing boat (at the Sunset BEach Pontoon Bridge)
The Calabash Creek Anchorage is crowded with eight boats, all tucked off on the starboard side of the Calabash Creek Channel that is busy with shrimp boat traffic day and night. Calabash is the capital of seafood (all of it fried) in this region.
The Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge opened for boat traffic. The high rise bridge now under construction is scheduled to open in November of 2010
From: Mile Hammock Bay, Camp Lejune, NC MM 244.5
To: Carolina Beach Anchorage, Carolina Beach, NC MM 295.1
L/L: 34 03 17N 77 53 35W
Distance Traveled: 51.0
Weather: Sunny; Temp range 50 to 75; winds 10 knots or less out of the south; calm on the waterway
Comment: A Three Bridge Day!
“Surf City Bridge, Surf City Bridge, this is the sailing vessel SUNSHINE requesting an opening.” That line is typical when we approach a bridge. We had three bridges to open today, but the routine was a bit different. We were at the back of a pack of ten or twelve boats, so we really didn’t need to request any openings. Others had already done that. We simply passed through (Surf City, Figure Eight Island Swing Bridges and Wrightsville Beach Bascule Bridge) and thanked the bridge tenders after clearing each bridge.
It was a beautiful day on the waterway. We motored in a foul current for much of the day, finally anchoring in Carolina Beach with over a dozen other boats.
Fresh Bait Float anchored in the Carolina Beach Inlet
From: Cedar Creek, off Adams Creek, NC MM 187.5To: Mile Hammock Bay, Camp Lejune, NC MM 244.5
L/L: 34 33 16N 77 19 47W
Distance Traveled: 58.8
Hours Motoring: 10.2
Sunrise over Cedar Creek
Weather: Wake up temp is 39 chilly degrees; light wind out of the south and southwest; temp reached 79 degrees in the bubble; bright sun all day; few clouds in the sky; calm seas
Comment: My internal alarm clock went off at 0610 this morning. While waking up from my slumber, my nose hinted that it might be a tad cold here in the master suite. A quick check of the thermometer and my suspicions were confirmed. It is 51 degrees! I lie in bed for another ten minutes just thinking about getting up. Anna Marie awoke shortly after me and by 630, the coffee was on and we were ready to go.
Airing out his tarp
The cockpit thermometer pegged the temperature at a cool 39 degrees. I went back into the cabin and lit the heater. Since it’s still dark at 0630, we had coffee, tea and breakfast. There was light fog in the area and heavier fog off to the distance. Despite that, we raised anchor and headed off. Perhaps we went 1,000 feet when the heavy fog came to us and the nine other boats in the anchorage. We found a safe spot to reanchor and wait for the fog to lift.
At 0800, we raised the anchor and started on this day’s journey. Loosing an hour to the fog may mean that we won;t be able to reach our destination, Mile Hammock Bay. The current in Adams Canal was strongly against us. We barely made 5 miles per hour. We traveled at this slow speed for about three hours before the current turned in our favor.
On the day, we averaged 5.4 mph not great, but we were able to make our destination. We anchored in Mile Hammock Bay, Camp LeJune just as the sun was setting.
Sunset at the Mile Hammock Bay anchorage
From: Dowery Creek Marina, Belhaven, NC MM 131.7
To: Cedar Creek, off Adams Creek, NC MM 187.5
L/L: 34 55 99N 76 38 59W
Distance Traveled: 55.1 miles
Weather: Hey! The sun’s out! The temp rose to a balmy 77 degrees in the bubble, the wake up temp was 50 degrees; we never saw predicted winds of 20 - 25 out of the north although we motor-sailed in 20 knots for a few hours
Comment: Despite the wind forecast (20 - 25 knots out of the north), we decided to depart Dowery Creek Marina. The wind was mostly on our stern for the day, and with a portion of the jib unrolled, we motor-sailed at speeds close to 9 mph.
We weren’t alone on the waterway today as there were over a dozen boats heading south. Many stopped in Oriental, a few headed toward New Bern , still others headed into Adams Creek. We anchored in Cedar Creek with nine other vessels.
It was great to see the sun today. Not only does it lighten our spirits, it provided comfortable temperatures in the bubble.
We arrived at our destination a few minutes before 1600 hours, enough time to do a couple of chores and chill out before dinner. After dinner, we’ll find a radio station so we can listen to the Phillies in Game 4 of the NLCS.
Sunset from our Cedar Creek anchorage
