Trick or Treat!

     It was a beautiful sunrise. After a quick glimpse, but no photo, I went back to bed for a few more winks. Today was a resting day for the crews of RAGTIME, SEVILLA and PEKABU.  We were the only boats remaining by 9 am.  We are hoping PINNACLE joins us today and that BRUNELLE can resume her voyage south.
 

"Do we have to go back to the boat?"

 
    For Pete, this is another work day.  A special project needs to be completed within in the next few days, so he’ll be working tomorrow, too. I tried to stay out of his way, so the rear cabin was reorganized and I made Pete’s favorite dessert, Apple Cheese Torte, for his birthday.  Since I was at the helm most of the travel yesterday, I couldn’t bake. 

"She left without me!"

     I took the dinghy and visited the others to inform them that we had a special dessert to share around 3:30. Jeanne and Gerry offered to host the get together and we would dinghy the others to RAGTIME.
     The TRICK:  By the time we were to start the pickups, PINNACLE had arrived.  Their trip was troublesome.  Even being careful with the directions we sent, they ran hard aground at high tide and needed Tow Boat’s assistance to get off. They also punctured their dinghy while exiting their slip in strong currents within the marina.
     The TREAT: So we gathered as planned. Over dessert, we discussed a number of things: how best to deal with the storms due on Monday, should we stay here or travel further to a marina and await BRUNELLE’s arrival, marina options, etc.  Daylight Savings Time ends tonight.  That means a very early start in the morning.
    That said, I think we need to turn in. Our 6:30 am departure means up at 5:30. Dog need to be walked and dinghy hoisted before we can pull the anchor, so . . .’Nite all.

ICW Mile Marker    245 (Layover)

 0.0 Hours       (Total 68.5 Hours)
 0.0 Miles       (Total 415.2 Miles

Shoaling and More

Fishermen at sunrise

     Everyone was ready at 7:30. We helped SEVILLA leave the slip before we did the same.
     The currents by the bridge were substantial enough to swing the boats about 10 foot sideways. Once we cleared the inlet, we upped our speed to 9.5-10 mph rather than the 3.5-4 mph we encountered yesterday before turning around. Amazing what strong currents can do!



Different mood on the Sound

    We traveled south for almost 3 hours on the western shore of the Bogue Sound. To look at it you would think it’s a great place to boat/sail. More than a mile wide and 20+ miles long, but looks are deceiving.  Drift out of the 75 foot wide channel and there is 1-4 feet of water in most places. Considering PEKABU needs 5 + feet of water to keep floating. We passed a waterman standing in the shallows outside his boat clamming. At one point, we encountered a north bound fisherman, with his out-riggers extended, fishing the channel!  We could only move over a little or be in the shallows.


The fish wing boat with outriggers 

     After yesterdays mild weather, today’s winds were for the NW and the temps were a good 10 degrees cooler.  Thank heavens for the enclosure!
 

Tiny fishing shack that's for sale

    I had the helm for most of the trip.  It was a working day for Pete. Gerry, from RAGTIME, was our lead for the day. Even though Pete was working, he kept tabs and had me share info he had researched for today’s travels.


The Marines

   As we passed through Swansboro, we were passed by two Marine inflatables with very tired, but friendly crews.  This morning was another joint military exercise at Camp Legune. They were probably returning to “War Ship 21,” the Naval ship off shore in the Atlantic.

     More frustrating were the recreational fishermen, who almost completely blocked the channel with the small boats, and lines cast from both sides of their boats.  I had to pass outside the channel with less than 1.5 feet under my keel.  In the channel I always had 9 foot or more.


Warning to take seriously

 

Destroyed targets and the War Ship 21

    By the time we reached the Camp, we were permitted passage as that part of the exercise affecting the ICW was now over.  As we passed the partial previously demolished military tanks on the ocean side dunes, we could see the naval vessel in the distance. 



Trouble going aground and
 help from WEZZIE B

Oslow Beach Swing Bridge

     The Cruiser’s Net constantly updates information on areas traveled by boaters.  There has been much chatter about the shoaling (shallow areas) in a number of areas. We were fortunate to miss the ones on Bogue Sound. However, the area by Buoy 62 within the Camp Legune area, proved to be problematic.  We had been following a larger sailboat, which was very cautious in the noted areas. At this buoy, he followed earlier info that took him too far right and hard aground.  The cabin cruiser behind him called out depth information as they slowly made their way forward.  Gerry on RAGTIME slowly maneuvered based on the radioed information, but came to a sudden stop when he hit a shelf. His depth finder went from reading 6 feet under the keel to a dead stop. Trying to go around him, Glen on SEVILLA, also went aground. Thankfully, they both were able to back off.  Pete took the helm and gently inched forward following the suggestions from the Cruiser’s Net.  The other two boats followed us without further excitement.  As we continued towards the bridge, looking back I saw another sailboat also go hard aground.  While traveling to our destination only a few miles more, we heard of at least 5 boats needing assistance.


Pete and Bailey making rounds

Bailey catching rays

The golden hour
has arrived

     We were able to drop anchor in Mile Hammock Bay.  It is a previously used amphibious landing area.  Now it’s a great anchorage for us cruisers.  By nightfall, there were 29 boats at anchor. If it wasn’t for the bugs, we would have enjoyed the spectacular starlit sky, perfectly clear and no ambient light.
   We heard back from Dan, BRUNELLE has alternator problems. Hopefully, they will be solved and perhaps back on their way south.  All of here are keeping our fingers crossed.

A cloudless sunset

Pete also sent everyone a picture of our track through the troublesome Buoy 62 area.  Hopefully, PINNACLE and BRUNELLE can use it to help stay clear of the shallows.

     Since it is Pete’s birthday, I made chicken parmesan with a salad and ice cream for dessert. Then we just sat and read until bedtime.

Twilight on Mile Hammock Bay

ICW Mile Marker    245

 6.0 Hours       (Total 68.5 Hours)
42.0 Miles       (Total 415.2 Miles)

To Morehead City, But Not Quite As Planned



A beautiful sunrise

Looking down the entrance to River Dunes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeanne on RAGTIME

   

   We were up early and ready to cast off by 8AM. Unfortunately, the marina was understaffed and there was a line of 10 people waiting to checkout.  SEVILLA and PEKABU needed fuel, so that delayed us even more.  PINNACLE would be leaving later and traveling a different route due to the water depths and bridges.  Hopefully, we will meet up again in our travels.      It was closer to 9:30 when we exited the marina, but didn’t go far.  BRUNELLE’s engine kept cutting out. After 40 minutes or so, Dan managed to get it up and running, but there were still issues.  As a result, we traveled slowly just in case BRUNELLE needed a tow.  The Wind and Current gods were not favoring us.  BRUNELLE could get no assist from the wind.

Nothing like a big barge  needing
to make the turn coming at us!

     At the top of Adams Creek, we had to swing far to the extreme right of the channel.  A tug pushing a barge was just about to make the turn towards us. There were reports of “lots of logs” in the Creek.  We looked hard, but didn’t find any. Due to the hazy overcast, this area was not as picturesque as our initial trip, but still interesting.  The creek is about 150 feet wide, with many houses lining the banks.  What I did find interesting, were the signs.
 

BRUNELLE's stop tonight

    Partially down the creek, Dan called to say that they were going into Bock’s Marina for engine help.  Hopefully, they will catch up tomorrow or the next day.  

Another busy industrial port

    RAGTIME, SEVILLA and PEKABU continued on.  The original plan was to stay in Dudley’s Marina in Swansboro, 68 miles from River Dunes. With the late start, slower travel and the strong currents against us, by 3:30 we had only made it to Morehead City. After a quick discussion about the time needed to make Swansboro figuring on the currents (it would have been close to 10 PM!), we went to ‘Plan B’. We did a U-turn, headed back under the bridge, and called Morehead City Yacht Marine, booking dockage for the night.
 

Morehead City displaying their finest colors

    The others took a taxi to Beaufort to look around and catch up with PINNACLE, who docked there due to currents and water depth at the bridge.
     We did some chores, trip planning for tomorrow and reading. We plan to leave early to catch the flood tide heading south, so by 9:30 we called it a night.



ICW Mile Marker    204

 5.5 Hours       (Total 62.5 Hours)

 37.4 Miles      (Total 373.2 Miles)

 





Return of the Captain

Poolside cabanas

     The rains have stopped and the temperatures are in the high 60’s. Bailey and I anticipated a really nice walk. By 7:30, made it to the top of the dock and started talking with other boaters.  Pete, making one of his many travels south, gave us a heads up on the closing of the ICW through Camp Legune due to amphibious maneuvers scheduled for both Marines and Navy. After completing our walk, I went to give Dan and Gerry a heads’ up regarding the morning closings.  Once completed, I then started to speak with two other boaters on the dock. I finally had breakfast at 10:30.

This just called for a photograph

     I checked some of the photos I had processed last night.  I should know better than to process them on my laptop. With my older machine, a slight tilt of the screen changes the darkness/brightness and quality of the photo.  So…I set up my 24 inch monitor, secured it with clamps and organized a workspace.  I then reprocessed about 60 photos from yesterday as they were way too dark!

Bob, Pete, Kathy, Dan, Martha and Ann
courtesy of Jeanne

     Pete had left Delaware this morning and arrived at River Dunes around 3:30; promptly changed into shorts. It was 55 degrees when he left this morning. Right now it is about 74.
     He was glad to catch up with everyone at dinner.  Tonight it was lasagna, salad, bread and Key Lime Pie. Pete was exhausted and decided to turn in about 9:30. 
     Thanks to Pete for making the necessary adjustments, I could finally get a good signal with the external Wi-Fi antenna. Since the photos were processed, the blog entries were written, I was able to start posting, and posting I did!  I managed to get 7 daily entries with the photos posted up until the Wi-Fi disconnected.  It is 2:30 AM and we have to be up no later than 7, I am shutting down and packing it in.
     ‘Nite all!

 ICW Mile Marker    174 (Still!)

0.0 Hours       (Total 56.5 Hours)
0.0 Miles        (Total 365.8 Miles)

Walks, Photos and Laundry



The Chapel

The guest cottages

     I got smart and sorted the laundry last night.  After Bailey was feed, we took the laundry over to find both machines available for my use. Once laundry was started, Bailey and I walked around the property for the half hour, taking some photos, then returning in time to switch to the dryers. Back at the boat, I had breakfast then returned to the laundry.  The line was forming for the washers.  My darks were damp and the lights were wet.  I borrowed quarters so I could re-dry stuff, then I went to see Rich, the Harbormaster.  He reimbursed both Marcy (her washer didn’t spin out the water) and me. We were told to use the staff dryers for free. After we folded the staff linens from the dryer, I loaded the dryer and she waited for her clothes to finish spinning.


Not all the houses are mansions

 

Cottage's fire pit

    Back at the boat, laundry put away and caught up with Pete.  With the rain on and off, I started processing photos.  I really have to learn to take less and weed them out faster!  Only partially done, I broke for Bailey and my dinners. Dinner was once again delicious.  Flank steak, oven baked potatoes, string beans with Brussels’ sprouts, salad, bread and dessert.
  

A carriage house home for residents
 who spend the winters on their Norhaven 50

   The rains really started once we returned.  This is the remnants of Hurricane Patricia.  A week ago she was a tropical storm.  In a few hours she became a Cat 5, slamming into remote Mexico and downgrading quickly back to a tropical storm.  She flooded areas of Texas, continuing her rains and 35 mph winds to the Mississippi. She is now just a significant rain event that will continue through tomorrow for us here in North Carolina.




The landscaping adds a lot to the ambiance

 






Beautiful
purple topped grasses











    The rains made me check for leaks.  Unfortunately, I found a couple.  I think they are coming from the window seals. Hopefully, the rains will subside tomorrow to showers. 
     Bedtime for Bailey and me!

ICW Mile Marker    174 (Still!)

 0.0 Hours       (Total 56.5 Hours)

 0.0 Miles        (Total 365.8 Miles)

Catch up with Chores

Today's sunrise

    I woke this morning with a pink cast to the boat.  The sun was rising and the clouds were magnificent.  Unfortunately, the clouds had taken over once Bailey and I began our 2 mile walk.
     Dan, Martha, Gerry, Jeanne and I shared the van to head to Oriental for some shopping.  We stopped at 2 boating stores and the Wal-Mart Express for food. Before food shopping, we took the opportunity to walk around Oriental. Jeanne and I took advantage of some photo opportunities.


Marsha's Boutique

The Gallery

    


Martha's very welcoming porch



Oriental's Harbor

     Once back, I cleaned the boat and scrubbed the cockpit.  Boy, did it need it. Took time to also fill the water tanks. Due to meeting a few of my dock mates, it took most of the afternoon.
     Bailey was feed and walked, I changed, then, it was off to meet everyone for dinner.  Ann and Bob from PINNACLE have also arrived at River Dunes.
     Apparently, the Cruiser’s Dinners were suspended for a while, but thankfully were brought back due to popular demand. . . and they improved on their offerings!  Tonight, we had salad, ham and bean soup, and a potato bar (baked potatoes with everything plus a cold dinger potato salad with shrimp.) Sour dough bread and dessert rounded out the buffet.  Everything was delicious. Coffee, ice tea and water are also included.


Bob, Ann, Glen, Martha, Dan and Maureen
begin their dinner selections

     By 8, we were all headed back to the boats.  Bailey needed her final walk and I needed to touch base with Pete. Mom has issues and the specialists are trying to find out just what. She will be hospitalized a while yet.  Pete’s unsure of when he will be heading back. Bailey and I miss him.
 
ICW Mile Marker    174 (Still!)
 0.0 Hours       (Total 56.5 Hours)
 0.0 Miles        (Total 365.8 Miles)

We Have Arrived

Bailey was upset with
Pete leaving without her

     After the dogs were taken to shore, Dan returned to take Pete into the marina to meet up with his ride. Matt, the dock hand, spoke with Pete and told us it was OK to come in now and dock.  I relayed the information to the others and took the opportunity to ready the lines, and prep the boat for heading in.  We discussed last night that PEKABU would be the last boat in, giving time for Dan or Jerry to come back via dinghy, to help me up anchor and handle lines once in the dock.  Dan and I had the boat pumped out and in the slip by 11.

Seating for the fire pits

     This marina is a very protected, picturesque, man-made harbor, surrounded by plantation style homes with natural gas lit, porch lamps. It’s very pretty ambiance comes at a price.  It is far from civilization; phone service can be dicey and TV reception poor.  But, it also has it’s plusses: super helpful staff, clean, beautiful showers you would find in a 5 star hotel, decent Wi-Fi, great area to walk or ride a courtesy bike, and a loaner car to get to the necessary places and most importantly, weeknights, the offer a Cruisers Dinner. Hearty entre, salad and bread are offered for $14 /person to all the cruisers plus the cost of the drinks.  It is a great way to meet and exchange experiences and information with other cruisers. Dan, Martha, Jerry, Jeanne, Glen, Maureen and I will be heading out tomorrow using the loaner car to provision and see some of the area.


Martha, Bob, Gerry and Jeanne
on the porch for our dinner

     I spent the afternoon catching up with the blog writing. Tomorrow, hopefully,  I will find time to add the photos and then post.  
     At 6, our 4 boat crews joined Ann and Bob from PINNACLE, in the screened–in porch of the main house.  We had a wonderful pot-luck dinner. Appetizers, Chicken Divan, broccoli salad, a pineapple dish, brownies, apple crisp with ice cream; always great food and conversation. Jeanne and Martha found the hot tub and sat quite a while with their legs in the tub.
     Well, it’s my turn to walk Bailey so I am off.  Pete should be home from visiting his Mom soon and we’ll catch up.


Newly dedicated, but not yet open!

ICW Mile Marker    174 (Still!)

 0.5 Hours       (Total 56.5 Hours)

 1.5 Miles        (Total 365.8 Miles)

Well, Almost at River Dunes

Amazing! A boat heading North!

      We were once again traveling at 9 am. Rich, River Dunes
Harbormaster, called me and suggested a local UBER driver who could get Pete to the rental agency in New Bern (45 minutes away).  He also said to call back if that didn’t work. He would work something out to make sure Pete gets to New Bern.

     We once again enjoyed a beautiful day on the water.  Temps in the high 60s, lower 70s and a light breeze from the north. We finally figured out BRUNELLE’s cruising speed so the group was able to travel in relative closeness.  However, the filter problems revisited BRUNELLE again, so they motored sailed as much as possible. Dan thinks it might be the new diesel additive that doesn’t contain a biocide that is causing all the fouling. They stopped in Hobucken to purchase fuel and the biocide.

     Hobucken is where the Coast Guard Small Boat Station is located.  As we passed the base, the crews were showing their gear to a group of motorcyclists.

Soon after, we began our travels across the “Naughty” Neuse River.  Even on relatively calm day, the waves were chaotic giving us a bumpy ride.



Dan and Jeanne

Pete, Maureen, Gerry and Martha

     We entered Broad Creek and passed the entrance to River Dunes, choosing to anchor about a 1/3 mile above the Red Buoy 4.  Further ahead, there were boats anchored as well as a small marina.  About a half hour after we anchored, BRUNELLE joined us.  The “dinghy pool” for the dogs was put in motion. After they returned, Dan made the rounds to all the boats offering dinghy service to BRUNELLE for cocktails at 5:30.  Dan even gave away party favors. . . fly tapes. Much appreciated by all of us!



Definitely enjoying and evening sail

RAGTIME, PEKABU and SEVILLA at Sunset

     Shortly after a pretty sunset, the bugs returned and we were returned to our boats. We heard back from Rich, from River Dunes. He gave me the name and number of a local UBER driver.  That gentleman was not available, but he gave a name and number of someone who was. Pete will be picked up tomorrow at 9 AM at River Dunes.

    
     Visited with Betty (SV ANDIAMO), one of our original cruising friends, via email and caught up with our family doings.

     A good day all around . . . . And tomorrow we go into River Dunes Marina!

 

ICW Mile Marker    174

6.25  Hours       (Total 56.0 Hours)

40.6  Miles        (Total 365.8 Miles)

The Alligator Pongo Canal to Belhaven

Dan took this magnificent photo while heading in with Pete and the dogs

 

The dew was heavy
and showed us all
the spider webs aboard

   Last night we discussed among the four boats, our 9 AM departure this morning. Since RAGTIME and SEVLLE were ready, they radioed us that they would start heading south on the Alligator Pongo Canal a bit earlier than BRUNELLE and us.  We would meet them in Belhaven.

     It was another morning with heavy fog and dew. Martha and I cleared the windows while the men took the dogs to shore.  Dan brought his camera along and returned with some magnificent photos.

The marker at the entrance of
boat ramp canal

 

About 1/4 mile up the canal was the ramp

    We upped anchor and were underway by 8:40.  We could hear the usual radio request made by faster boats passing the slower ones. The entire trip down the canal, no one asked to pass, though 3 larger cruisers passed us in wider waters. We only saw 3 other boats we saw coming down the canal.

Mother Nature has begun to
recapture the log pile of 5 years ago

 

There was little wildlife along the canal ~
This one makes it fun to search

    The A.P Canal is pretty in a different way than the Dismal Swamp. The canal is wider and has more variations in habitats. There are mixed forests, pine forests, swamps and a number of homes lining the shore. Last time down, we passed a pile of trees, which were probably dragged out of the canal.  Pete called it the World’s Largest Beaver Dam. Five years later, it is still there, but Mother Nature has begun to put her stamp on it. Greenery has begun to cover parts of the pile.

 

Damage caused by the storms
that drenched this area with
11+ inches!  Inland they had 27"!

    BRUNELLE has problems with the fuel filter. They motored sailed to keep pace with us. Dan has also noted that BRUNELLE’s speed has decreased from earlier this summer.  He wants to check his prop when we get to Belhaven. While he is diving, he will also check our rudder. It continues to be stiff and no leaks.

  

Pete and Bailey taking in the waterfront homes
of Belhaven



    

 

 

 

 

 

      With the varying scenery, the time passed quickly. We arrived in Belhaven after 3 and rafted with BRUNELLE.  After a ride to the town docks and dog were walked, we got back into the dinghies, motored to where RAGTIME and SEVILLA were in River Forrest Marina, then walked around town. It is hard to tell that the horrible, 11” of rain that hit this area last month had flooded the town. Everything looked back to normal. Hopefully, as we travel further south in NC, the debris from the 27’’ of rain Columbia received has worked its way down river and out to sea. . . without being partially submerged and creating havoc for the off shore cruisers.

Thanks, Dan!

    Dan did dive on both boats. There is no problem with his prop, but the pitch of the prop might need another adjustment. As for PEKABU, there was no damage Dan could find when feeling the entire rudder. The water is so tannic that is looks like tea that has brood for days.  He did suggest calling Catalina and requesting to speak with Warren Pandy, their chief mechanic.  Pete left a voice mail around 4. Since it is Friday, we had little hope of speaking with him until Monday.  However, at 9:20 PM Pete’s phone lit up with a Florida number. He assumed it was a telemarketer, but answered it anyway. It was Warren. After some discussion, Warren feels that the hit to the rudder caused a tiny crease in the hollow tube of the rudder.  If the crease was any larger, we would not be able to move the rudder at all. Not to worry, the slight pinching causing the tightness, will slowly wear away and in time the wheel will move freely as it originally did.  We should be good for another 10 years.  Boy! That is great news.

 

An unusual way to clean up
fallen pine cones

    I called and made reservations at River Dunes for all 4 boats. Our plan was to spend the weekend, but the owners meeting was this weekend. All staff is needed for this function.  Rich, the Harbor Master, asked if we could anchor out and come in on Sunday afternoon.   He would give us 2 for 1 nights’ accommodations.  The cruiser’s dinner would also be available on Monday. Everyone agreed that that this works for them. Our only problem is that Pete will need to rent a car to go home for his mom. When I mentioned this to Rich, he said he would help find a way to get Pete to New Bern for the rental.

     Some reading after dinner and we should have a good night’s sleep with that great news!

ICW Mile Marker    136

5  Hours       (Total 49.75 Hours)

34.9  Miles    (Total 325.2 Miles)