After waiting 3 nights in Beaufort, NC for favorable conditions to do our off-shore leg to Charleston, we decided to continue southward on the ICW (Intercoastal Waterway). So Thurs morning we left the dock early and enjoyed riding the flood tide (making 9+ knots) for about 30 minutes when we came to the Atlantic Beach Bridge. Normally it has the requisite 65' clearance but with coastal flooding (result of Hurricane Sandy and subsequent storms) in the area it was only showing 62' at mid-tide. With our 63' foot mast we need at least 64'. So we dropped anchor to wait it out. After 4 hours we went under the bridge but could only drop anchor again for the night because there were no anchorages or marinas close enough for us to make in the remaining daylight hours. This morning we were up at dawn, weighed anchor and continued on the ICW in sunshine(!) for 10 hours, arriving at an anchorage in Wrightsville Beach, NC at dusk. The offshore conditions continue to be plagued with low pressure areas and "confused seas" (like being in a washing machine - NOT FUN!) so we will stay on the ICW tomorrow. The advantage to going offshore is that we can usually put up the sails and make better time than on the ICW. On the other hand, when we are inland we can avoid some nasty weather but we have to contend with bridge openings (sometimes only on the hour) and possible groundings in areas of extreme shoaling - like today at "Black Mud Creek!" But it is all in a day's adventure and we wouldn't trade it for anything!