Today we had ideal conditions, so we took advantage of it: sunny and a consistent breeze in our favor. So we motor-sailed the entire day....64 nautical miles (our longest distance in one day). Thank God for favorable conditions! We were able to make up for stopping early yesterday and still get to our anchorage to enjoy a swim, a great dinner, and watch the sunset. I had some beers and Jeff had some rum (and ended up running out of lemonade!).

During our trip today, we passed through the Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune. It extends 18 miles upstream on the New River, almost to Jacksonville, NC. The ICW occasionally closes through Camp Lejeune for artillery, small-weapons firing and beach-landing exercises. Luckily they weren't doing any live training exercises today. We did see helicopters flying around in Surf City yesterday as well as near Camp Lejeune today. Jeff didn't realize we were in a live firing range until he saw the sign at the north end of the range that said "Stop Do Not Proceed: Live Firing in Progress When Flashing".

We went through Swansboro, Morehead City and Beaufort. Tonight we're anchored in Cedar Creek off the Adams Creek Canal. Just before we got here, we saw wreckage of a sailboat that had run aground. The Waterway Guidebook also warned of a sunken sailboat in Cedar Creek. We weren't able to see the mast sticking out the water. Maybe the sailboat that was on the shore just before here is the one they are referring to?
Some guys were drag-netting for shrimp in a couple skiffs around our anchorage, of which we and one other boat are here. It's beautiful here.....the best anchorage we've stayed at so far since we started out in Key West. We are starting to get mosquitoes since the sunset, but we put the screens and plastics down and are okay so far.

Bridges:
1. Highway Bridge - 65'
2. Onslow Beach Swing Bridge - 12' (passed through at 10:30)
3. Cedar Point Highway Bridge - 65'
4. Atlantic Beach-Moerhead City Bridge - 65'
5. Beaufort Channel Railroad Bascule Bridge - 4'
6. Beaufort Channel Highway Bridge - 65'

If conditions are right for us, we're hoping to do full sailing in the Neuse River tomorrow and make it to Belhaven which is a 45 mile run. We should get there early so we could pick up a couple things at the local Ace Hardware store before they close, which is two blocks from the marina we'll be staying at. We need to get a GFI outlet and also a couple of bolts for the table because Jeff broke it. :-)