#35 April 29th thru May 2nd

April 29th

Mickey and I got underway at 0815 and it was ABD! the passage was very interesting and beautiful up the Wacamaw River. with cedar swamps both sides and many trees growing right in the water. Some were gorgeous specimens. The trip today was so uneventful that Mickey almost fell asleep at the helm.  A very easy, pretty, calm, deep water passage. Got skinny in just a few of the inlets. This was our longest day yet, 9 hours. Only 37 to Wrightsville Beach (Wilmington NC)

There is a sample of the cedar swamps but the most interesting in the picture is the water.  That is NOT my wake. That is the tide creating a strange trough as it passed through a narrow area of the river.  Many places there were actually whirlpools  - reminded me of "Pirates of the Carribean" when the whirlpool swallowed the "Black Pearl"

 April 30th 

We slipped out of St. John's Marina while the tide was slack at 0700. Nice! (I am so freaked out about operating the  boat when a tide is running!)
A very quiet Sunday morning before the partyers are even thinking about getting out on their boats.  Except for a few fishermen racing before the fish get away!! The following pics of some of the sights we saw today.

 Yep! that is ONE home. A "single family dwelling"!!!

Can't you just wonder what in the world happened! Hurricane damage!

This community was having a Kite Festival! on  the beach!

Beautiful Shrimpers enjoying a Sunday Rest.

more damage

This BIG fellow crossed our channel as we entered the Cape Fear River. We called for instructions since we needed to stay in the channel.  Very professional and asked us to slide astern of him.
Shortly after that we were "waked" big time by to big cruisers "Yahoos!"so close doing 15-20 knots!! Practically set us on our sides, first one side then the other. I could see the whites of his eyes - he was that close! We always stow everything but stuff still flew all over the cabin. Poor Horatio, he was quivering!

This fellow passed us as we were just a mile from Wrightsville and the end of Mickey's crew slot.  

We arrived at Seapath Yacht Club at 1130. BTW, I docked for fuel and pumpout without mishap. 'like I knew what I was doing"!😅 A short day and we had lots of time to clean the boat, wash the boat, pick up, dust, get a shower do groceries with the Courtesy van before John and Bernie arrived.  We managed to get it all done, just in time. Then off to a farewell dinner for  Mickey and a welcome aboard for Bernie.

 Mickey is a dear and long time friend and neighbor. We sailed the Great Lakes with our children many years ago as they were growing up. And Bernie is my neighbor from across the street from my home in Cape Canaveral. He and his wife, Alicia, have become dear friends also.

I'm not so sure if they are saying "Good Luck", "Welcome" or "my Sympathies"!!!
Changing of the Crew

 May 1st

Bernie's first day starts as ABD! Coffee, Horatio run, I fix Breakfast while Bernie is checking fluids in Engine and Trans --- oops! water in the bilge --- checked for leaks everywhere, especially since the impeller changes. Cleaned and dried everywhere. Cast off at 0900 - checked around 1230. A dishpan full. So we kept going to Hammock Bay located in Camp LeJeune Military Base. and searched til we found the problem.

This is part of the exhaust system. The two hose clamps on the right were only finger tight. they leaked at the left side but didn't drip straight down. The exhaust water traveled down the white tube to the extreme Starboard side of the boat behind the battery boxes.  So we fixed it, cleaned up again and checked it periodically as we took off again. Will deal more in depth in Deltaville, VA.
Bernie says, the engine good, Generator good - "this just gets rid of the boredom".  He doesn't know yet -- with me things don't seem to be boring lately; just ask Mickey!

It's been a bit windy all day and arriving at our anchorage in front of the Town docks 1800 was a welcome sight.  We check everything, again -- nice and dry.  Wind is increasing, hmmm!  have supper. Sky looks funny, hmmm. Check the weather to find out there are Gale warnings til 0600.This is a very exposed anchorage and the decision is made to prepare the boat with fenders, lines, up anchor and move to the long dock about 500 yards to our right. Of course it is dark. So with the aid of my trusty searchlight we proceed.  I just motored  slowly along side the dock, stopped the boat and let the wind (that was on my side) push the boat to the dock. Bernie was able to just step off , secure the ready lines and we were safe on a brand new floating dock with concrete pilons.  Whew! We were surprised it went so well. But, I did try to be calm, think things through and slowly execute the plan.

May 2nd

Whew!, again. We got a good nights sleep in spite of the storm since we decided to go to the dock. Usually after a big front like that one goes through there are quite a few good days after. It proved true, at least for today because it is ABD!  There were very few boats this am. the ICW was calm and quiet. The tides in each area, for the most part were with us giving the boat an extra push to average 8+ knots. Today we traveled the Neuse River - wind and tide on our stern - smooth ride; Pamilco River - Choppy, strong wind on the beam. Ugh! - and THEN the Pongo River UGH!
We decided to make today a long one because the weather was good and our next BIG Sound, Albamarel, (which would be like crossing Lake Huron at it's widest point) and we might have to wait a day or two. If wind, tide and weather are not in our favor it could be a very uncomfortable ride.

At the moment, 2300, we are anchored in Belhaven, NC. It's quiet, no wind, and we are pooped. I am bound to get this blog out tonight. Catch you in a few days.  Enjoy!