We left bright and early this morning from Camp Lejeune. Murphy didn't get another shore trip so we promised him a quick day and an early afternoon trip to shore. Ha.
The day was mostly uneventful. but we fought current the whole day and were reminded how slow we are in the face of a 2 knot current. As we went through each inlet the current would switch, our spirits would rise and then it would just as quickly reverse. Oh well. We also had 3 bridges to contend with but fortunately the wait for each wasn't all that bad until we got to Wrightsville Beach. At this point, between the wind and current we had a 2 knot push and a half hour wait so we got to do the bridge wait and circle. One of the cruiser's that we'd been traveling was about an hour behind and unfortunately ventured into the shallows on the north side of the bridge. As of 5, they were still there. A Towboat had been there since 2 o'clock trying to free them. Ouch.
We went on to Carolina Beach to try a new anchorage for us. Murph had not been to shore since last evening, so we were anxious to get the dinghy down and the dog to shore. What's that old expression about "Haste, makes....." As we slowly explored the edges of the anchorage, the ground jumped up and we were stuck, hard. We tried kedging, we tried pulling the mast over, we tried waking with the dinghy, we were stuck. It was almost low tide so we resigned ourselves to tipping a bit and waiting for the tide to rise. Jim left with Murph for the long awaited shore time and two fisherman with a nice big motor showed up and asked if we wanted help. I called Jim back pronto and with a few tugs with real horsepower, we were off. Hooray. We quickly anchored in deeper water and as I speak, Friday night pizza is in the oven.
We are also listening to the news for the first time in days. Guess our problems are really minor. Our thoughts go out to the servicemen and families at Fort Hood.

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We left Morehead City in dense fog. Green water one day, fog the next. I'd really like to get my morning cup of coffee down before all the excitement, but I guess it is not to be. It was actually clear when we first left but it soon socked in completely. The sailboat ahead of us ran aground when they veered from the channel but were able to get off under their own power. Jim reminded me that the radar he wanted would light up most of the channel markers. Sigh.
As the fog lifted, we were passed by Wild Duck and Murphy's Irish girlfriend, Puka. They yodeled back and forth again. Not sure what the conversation was about but I'm sure Murphy was asking if he could crew with her on the 55ft luxury trawler and stay at marinas instead of roughing it every night on the hook.
This night found us once again at Camp Lejeune. We tried our darndest
to figure out a different anchorage but there is really nothing good between Morehead and Wrightsville Beach. This time there were armed guards on shore so Dad and Murph dinghied back out to the ICW and around the corner to a little shell beach. They were still illegal but at least out of sight. Murphy was quick about his business, Dad didn't lose the dinghy and soon the crew was back on board safe and sound.

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Left this morning at oh-dark-30 and watched the sun rise over the sails of a couple of boats that beat us out of the anchorage. As soon as we hit open water, the promised wind was there and we were beating into 3ft seas and 25kts of wind. Green water over the dodger and into the cockpit before 7:00AM. Murph was not amused. Tali slept peacefully under the dodger. She's starting to put the sea dog to shame. After about 5 miles of that nonsense, we turned up the Neuse River and downwind. It was a rolling sail but much better with the wind behind us and it was great having the motor off for a while.
We made good time up the Neuse and turned into Adams Creek in the company of many sportfish and our first major barge and dredge combo. Those long barges are always fun to pass in narrow channels. This one was only going about 1/2 kt slower than us, so we had to really put pedal to the metal to try and get around him as quickly as possible.
We stopped by early afternoon in Morehead City and were able to get the last space on the virtually free Sanitary Fish Market and Restaurant dock. Oh boy, fresh shrimp for dinner and only $10 to tie up. You can't beat that. The market name comes from the 30s when it was first rented for $5.50 a week with the understanding that no beer or wine would be sold and it would be kept clean. The name was chosen to project compliance with the lease. Looks like it is dry to this day. Oh well, that'll keep the dinner bill down!

ICW 2009

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