Wednesday, July 27, 2011

76°32.141’ W

35°31.969’ N

Dowry Creek Marina

Belhaven, North Carolina



Early start to Belhaven



US Coast Guard



We got an early start and had perfect weather. We logged 52 miles before arriving at Dowry Creek just after noon.



Wonderful day on the water



Arriving in Belhaven





Empty bottle tree!



This is a delightful marina to visit. It’s very clean and in good repair. Mary the owner is delightful and goes out of her way to make everyone feel welcome. There is a large swimming pool and marina lounge for the boaters to socialize in. Happy hour is every evening at 5pm where most of the boaters bring something to munch on plus something to drink. It’s a great way to meet new friends and swap old stories.







Dowry Creek Marina



 

Tomorrow we plan to depart the marina around 7am and log another 50 miles.



 

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

76°40.870’ W

35°01.769’ N

Whittaker Pointe Marina

Oriental, North Carolina

We stayed another night because of the weather. There were white caps all day with a few drops of rain mixed in from time to time.

The weather wasn’t conducive for swimming so we sighed up for the marina courtesy car and went out for breakfast then grocery shopping. Dinner was steaks on the grill and a bottle of wine before turning in early.

Tomorrow should be a good day for travel and have agreed to depart the marina at 7am looking for flat water.

Monday, July 25, 2011

76°40.870’ W

35°01.769’ N

Whittaker Pointe Marina

Oriental, North Carolina

The weather turned nasty last night with a short period of rain and high winds. We bounced around in our slip most of the night and I’m glad we’re staying an extra day because of weather and Carl’s canvas repair. Barb and Ricki will take advantage of this down time and do laundry then re-supply.

Carl was lucky that he was able to walk into a sail shop and have it repaired on the spot! If nothing else, our schedule will free up to move north tomorrow. If we have good weather we will leave early to make our crossing of a short 10 mile sound before re-entering a man made cut.

The wind has been blowing all day with major white caps lapping at the entrance to this marina. The rain comes and goes making this a perfect day to do nothing but stay put in this safe harbor!

Sunday, July 24, 2011

76°40.870’ W

35°01.769’ N

Whittaker Pointe Marina

Oriental, North Carolina

Boat we saw aground!

Leaving Beaufort



ALong the ICW



We are having another windy day. Getting out of the slip was tricky but better than getting into it yesterday! I was surprised at how flat the sea was for most of the trip. The wind kicked up for the last few miles and made our approach into the harbor dicey. Usually we back into our slip, which makes getting on and off the boat easy. Because of the wind, both Carl and I nosed into our slips.



Whittake Pointe Marina



Tomorrow Carl and I will look for a sail shop to repair his canvas that was damaged due to the high winds. Hopefully someone in town will do it while we wait for we can proceed on Tuesday.



This marina turned out to be a jewel. There is a beautiful club house with swimming pool and courtesy car. The rates for Loopers are discounted and the whole package is very affordable and pleasant.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

76°39.870’ W

34°42.941’ N

Beaufort Docks

Beaufort, North Carolina



Heading to Beaufort, NC



The wind and current made getting the boat into the harbor nasty at best. Once secured, the day got better as the location was lively and fun to be a part of. The town of Beaufort has developed a tourist destination that is filled with history, shopping, restaurants and watering holes!



Our carriage



While in town we reconnected with Nancy and Mike that we met in Charleston, SC! Mike saw our boat in the harbor and left a message to get together. After a horse drawn wagon ride through town and dining at the dock side restaurant, the six of us walked to their boat for Ricki and Carl could view its interior. Their catamaran is beautiful.



Nancy and I took the opportunity to try a boxed wine that neither of us had before which was very good! Any boxed liquid makes good sense for use on a boat because its light weight, packs well and doesn’t break like glass!

Tomorrow we will head north to Oriental, NC.

Friday July 22, 2011

76°42.524’ W

34°43.180’ N

Sanitary Fish Market & Restaurant

Morehead City, North Carolina



Quest leaving Dudley"s Marina



Last night was a rough night while tied to the face dock. The wind and waves were on our beam all night constantly bumping the boat on the dock. When leaving the dock this morning it was almost impossible to overcome the wind and move into the harbor.



Arriving at Morehead City



We had a good day of cruising and stayed the night on a face dock provided by the Sanitary Fish Market & Restaurant! The dock is provided for a fee of $25 without power or water. Also we had to eat dinner in their restaurant which we were going to do anyway! All in all it was a good experience.



Tomorrow we will move about 5 miles across the inlet to Beaufort.

Thursday July 21, 2011

77°06.731’ W

34°40.798’ N

Dudley’s Marina

Swansboro, North Carolina

Our luck continues to hold with the weather! It’s hot but beautiful and a little windy!

Leaving Surf City

Pink!



Camp Lejeune



Camp Lejeune



Before departing the marina we inquired if the ICW was closed due to training exercises at Camp Lejeune. The dock master told us if we didn’t hear the bombs going off we should proceed ---- so off we went. A few hours later when approaching the Onslow Bridge that needed to open for we could proceed we were hailed by the navy to not proceed any further until the live fire exercise was completed. As we were proceeding closer to the bridge to anchor for a few hours and waiting for the ok to proceed, we noticed a convoy of half tracks off to one side of the canal. With in minutes we were entertained with the sound of machine gun fire and heavy artillery off in the distance. While at anchor I noticed a structure in the brushes close to the canal bank that I couldn’t recognize. After we hauled the anchor and proceeded a hundred yards closer to the bridge we saw that it was a radio outpost with tents set up and marines busy at work. 

Along the ICW



Onslow Bridge



The bridge opened and we were told to move to a location up river secured by navy patrol boats and wait for the ok to proceed. It wasn’t long before we were cruising through a10 mile stretch within an active training area with a lot of activity on both sides of the ICW. As we were exiting the control area we heard the US Navy secure the ICW due to live fire exercises. I must admit - it was the high point in our day!



Tonight we are secured to a face dock at the Dudley’s Marina, exposed to wind and tidal currents! I don’t think it’s going to be a pleasant night of restful sleep!

Wednesday July 20, 2011

77°32.780’ W

34°25.704’ N

Beach House Marina

Surf City, North Carolina



Homes along the ICW



Skip's good eyes spotted the deer



PIRATES!



We had a good cruising day today the weather was hot and muggy like everywhere else in the country! As the day progressed so did the wind. It seems that when you’re ready to back a boat into an unknown slip the wind kicks up and makes it interesting.

The slip we were assigned to placed our boat next to a tourist’s style Pirate boat that takes families out for an hour cruise. During the cruise a pirate ship filled with actors in full costume attack the cruise boat which has cannons for the kids to repel them. When it’s all over and both boats have returned to the marina the kids board the Pirate boat and pose for pictures. I think we had as much fun watching from our boat a few feet away, as the little ones did on their pirate cruise!



Ricki - Carl - Barb



The day was young and the marina was only a block away from the ocean so we put on our swimming trunks and walked to the beach. Carl, Ricki and Barb enjoyed the water and I stayed on a towel and took care of the leg which is 100% at this time!

We had a light dinner on Quest then called it a day. Tomorrow we will pass thru Camp Lejeune a US Marine training facility on our way to Swansboro, NC. There are times when the ICW is closed for a few hours to a few days due to live fire across the waterway!

Tuesday July 19, 2011

77°53.486’ W

34°02.473’ N

Federal Point Yacht Club

Carolina Beach, North Carolina

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEITH!



Wilmington, NC



Wilmington, NC



Today we drove through Wilmington stopping at the cotton market and walking the river front. We took another trolley ride to experience the city via a tour guide that knows the area. The history of this area started in the 1600 and many of the homes date from the 1700 and 1800s. There is a lot of Civil War history in this area and I think we will revisit this area when we have more time.





Wilmington, NC



Wrightsville Beach looking north



We then drove to the Wrightsville Beach which is beautiful. There were a lot of people enjoying the ocean during this heat wave. On return to the marina everyone got into the pool and cooled down before dinner. Tonight dinner will be leftovers from the restaurant last night.



Corner street sign by the marina



Pool at our marina



Wednesday we will cruise 35 miles to Surf City. Thursday we will cruise to Bogue Inlet, an additional 33 miles.

Monday July 18, 2011

77°53.486’ W

34°02.473’ N

Federal Point Yacht Club

Carolina Beach, North Carolina



Leaving Southport



Haven't seen ships in a long time



Today we had a short day on the water - 16 miles! And we’re staying at a very nice Yacht Club with a swimming pool close to many restaurants. Carolina Beach is part of Cape Fear one of the three major capes on the coast of North Carolina.



Carolina Beach State Park



Going through Snow Cut



Basin into Carolina Beach



Kurre Beach



The local AGLCA harbor hosts Rhonda and Joey live close to here. We crossed the Gulf of Mexico with them last January and planned to visit when in port. It turns out that they are out of town on a vacation but answered our phone call and offered their SUV while in town. They also suggested a few restaurants one that we all enjoyed called Freddie's a local Italian restaurant. The food was delicious and the portions large! We now have enough food left over for a couple of additional meals. They sure pointed us in the right direction – thanks again Rhonda and Joey!



Carl, Ricki, Barb and me sat down and planned the next 250 miles that will take us to Elizabeth City the last port before entering the Dismal Swamp. The Dismal Swamp will take two days to cross before entering the Chesapeake Bay at Norfolk, Virginia!

Sunday July 17, 2011

78°01.671’ W

33°55.048’ N

Southport Marina

Southport, North Carolina



Leaving North Myrtle Beach



Scenes along the way



The weather has cooled down making the 45 mile cruise enjoyable. When cruising on a Sunday we encountered a lot of week end boaters that don’t always think about what they are doing. I was glad to slip into port and get out of their way.



Home along the way



One of many for sale



Marina with outdoor dry storage



ICW going north



Southport Marina is part of a harbor that is very picturesque and is being used as background for a new TV series to be announced. We enjoyed fresh seafood for dinner before returning to the boat. While returning to our boats we stopped and talked to Bob & Kay Creech that live in a house overlooking the harbor. Bob gave a seminar addressing, cruising the ICW between Florida and Norfolk while we were in the Florida Keys. Their boat named C-LIFE, sits in the harbor directly across from their home. How nice would that be?





Tomorrow we will cruise to Carolina Beach a short distance away. It’s good to be on the move again!



Inlet to the Atlantic Ocean



Bob & Kay's home in Southport



View from Bob & Kay's front porch

Saturday July 16, 2011

78°44.737’ W

33°48.136’ N

Barefoot Marina

North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

The weather continues to put a smile on everyone’s face. During the day we reached the mid 80s and low 70s at night! There’s a stiff breeze out of the north which I would like to disappear but when you are not cruising, it’s very nice to cool things down.

Carl and Ricki’s boat “Quest” in now repaired and sitting next to our boat in the marina! They had to have one additional part changed after the installation of the oil cooler. It was minor - just aggravating. Tomorrow we leave and move north to Southport, NC

Huen is doing great after his surgery. He is back on the boat with Cricket and his dog “Doc”.

Pictures are some sights around Barefoot Marina.