I am in NC now. Not by much, but here none the less. It was a long but a good day. Single handing the boat like this can be tough when in the ICW because there is no one to take the helm when I need a break. My ass is sore! Travelled 75 nm in 12 hours. A little over 6 kts/hr, and that is pretty damn good in the ICW. Motor sailed about 3/4 of the day and the tides worked in my favor. I really did not expect to get here before tomorrow. As luck would have it, Scott and Gail, who I met yesterday, were in the same anchorage last night and left at the same time so we wound up travelling together all day. Learned a few things along the way - nice people. Susan's college room mate Sara and husband Shane were going to head outside so did not expect to see them. But sure enough, ran into them around 1400 waiting for a bridge. Apparently Shane doesn't get to go outside unless the weather is pretty close to perfect. He did not say this but I got the impression he has drug her through some pretty tough stuff over the last 4 years and she has had enough. Anyway, they hooked up with us for the rest of the day. Both boats are leaving tomorrow morning but I will not be able to join them as I have to pick up mail at the PO that has been forwarded to me here. I will have to wait to see when I can push on, based on when I can get the mail, need to take on fuel and water, and the tide and weather all play into that. Hoping to go outside, put the sails up, and relax a bit.

I need to get a shower in and go to bed. A very good day, but am also pretty tired - but it's a good tired. :-)