06/16/2010, Oriental N.C.
Just When You Thought You'd Come Up in the World.
We thought we were pretty special when we flipped Ruth for Close Knit. We have been humbled on this trip to Dowry Creek. Today we were overtaken by larger trawlers (American Tug/ Defever and some giant yacht cruisers). They were, for the most part, courteous and asked permission to overtake us at slow speed. In all cases we throttled back and cruised their wake. When we first got Close Knit I was like Wow, we are like those big fancy pants boats - NOT. I was reminded today that my MANTRA with Ruth was, and I stand by that on Close Knit. "Even though we are smaller than most boats in our category, we still get to see the same things the big boys get to see. And we just "sip" the gas". And when you pay by the foot everything is less expensive. So it seems we are still the little ones on the waterway.
We are in Oriental tonight and may stay tomorrow night because thunderstorms are called for, and after crossing the Neuse River today it was rocky so no need to be uncomfortable. I'm looking forward to being parked at Dowry Creek for a while.
| I.C.W |
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Comments [6]
It was a long & very hot day on the water so we pulled into Swan Point Marina where we stayed last year & called it a day. We were not sure how high Close knit is off the water, so we waited for ever to get through the first 20' bridge. At the second bridge we just missed the opening so waited. We then get a call from the bridge master telling us to come on through as he figured we would get under the bridge without him having to open it. The bridge is 20 ft, so we slowly made our way up while the bridge master stood on the railing by the bridge, & we passed under with a little room to spare. He calculated us at 16ft so now we know we do not have to wait for any other 20ft bridges. The last bridge we powered to get to it on time, only to discover there was a multicar accident on it so the bridge would not open. This one is only 12' so we dropped the hook & waited. we actually didn't have to wait that long, but after getting through we decided to call it a day
| I.C.W |
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06/13/2010, Joyner Marina Carolina Beach
Lazy Day.
We had a nice lazy day today. Got up late had coffee in bed, & then had egg & bacon for breakfast. Later in the morning we went to the beach which is about a 10 min walk from the marina, only to find out that there is a bylaw during the summer of no dogs on the beach anytime!!! Jennifer remembered that there was a little beach right next to the marina, they allowed dogs but on a leash. Bridget loved the salt water even sticking her whole head under to pick up sea shells, we noticed she kept her eyes open!!! did not seem to bother her. Later Jennifer & I got out the bikes & went into town for lunch & then stopped at a store to pick up a fishing rod to replace the one I misplaced in Charleston. We were so pooped by then we took a cab back to the marina with the bikes in the back!!. Later the 2 of us went back to the real beach & played in the water. We are planning an early start tomorrow & will be stopping at Dudley's Marina just short of Morehead City. It was where we had Ruth's engine rebuilt last year. Nice place & really nice people.
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Even 1st mate Miss Bridget took a turn at the helm. Only problem was she wanted to head for the green stuff!!!!
If anyone has not noticed, we have added back the link to our realtime position reporting. It works through Spot & Google & tracks our position every 20 minutes.
Another great day on the waterway.Very hot and sunny. We saw three dolphin and Al saw a huge sea turtle. Many sports boats were out today, causing mild grief. Unlike heading south in the cold of December, some dredging has been done in some problem areas so we breezed through places like Cape Fear, Lockwoods Folly and Shalotte Inlet. We pulled into Joyner Marina, at the top of Snows Cut. Its on Carolina Beach which is a 10 minute walk away. We put in a long day today and Al's neck is sore and given the wild weekend warriors on the waterway we have decided to stay until Monday morning and maybe take Bridget to the beach tomorow. We missed Oriental on the way down so after consulting with the captain, I would like a little time there before we get to Belhaven. This should still get us to Dowry Creek by mid week, easily. Man time flies.
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We were up early this morning & escaped the Georgetown Triangle at 7:30 & arrived at Barefoot Landing at 1:47pm. It was a much different trip than the one we made southbound last December in Ruth. The trip was uneventfull & really pretty, only spoiled by few hot rodders who did not want to slow down.
Jennifer took over the helm a few times & said it felt daunting to be driving her house, but she did good & she needs her own stool (Bob & Jane style). We would like to thank a few people who made our stay enjoyable, Bill & Karen, Rick & Cinda for driving us around & entertaining us, & Stephen Aurther for our memorable trip to the shrimp festival & his kind hospitality (especially for the dinner at the Grill)
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In case anyone wonders here is Close Knit back in the water where she belongs..
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