Belhaven to River Dunes, NC

Today:      39 miles.     6.0 hours            ICW St M “174”

Total:     348 miles    59.5 hours

 
      We were up and away from the dock at 6:50 this morning.  We surprised Ken on MV DAYBREAK, by leaving before him.  In fact, we were the first to leave Belhaven, but led a string of 7 boats heading south.  As usual, they all passed us by the time we were entering Goose Creek, south of the Pamlico Sound. As the winds steadied around 10-15 out of the WSW, the waves never had a chance to build beyond a foot or so. 

Chillin' while Fishin'

Fishing fleet at Hobucken, NC

     Traveling into Back Creek for the approach to River Dunes, Pete was able to use the sonar maps for a better route than the marked channel.  The difference in depth varied almost 2 feet.

     Scott met us at the gas dock.  He is now the Harbor master, while Richard has taken over the GM for the entire property.  They did well with the Hurricane Florence.  The water rose about 6 feet, but the dock pilings were set with water in mind.  They are 2 foot higher than the land around the harbor.  As a result, the water will spread rather than rise rapidly. Many boats have spent the season here due to damaged docks.  With so many slips occupied, they will be expanding and placing new docks on the western shore of the harbor.   They did take a lightning strike, but the Wi-Fi should be the same. (Unfortunately, it is still very poor!)  Verizon will be putting in a new tower, so phone service should be improving.  I guess it helps that there is a new owner for the development.  Eleven new home will be built within the next few months.  We will see. . . .

     I was able to visit with Linda and Nile aboard SV MANANA, a Catalina 36 from Vermont making their way to the Bahamas.  They are meeting friends for dinner tonight and will head out in the morning.

We saw this Catalina Morgan 440
before she sold at Windmill Harbor

     It was once again time to make another batch of chicken and rice for Bailey.  We are now giving her half chicken and rice, half Blue Buffalo dry dog food

    I borrowed the car, which is still the same van with 164,000 miles, and at least 9 years of service. I guess I should not say borrowed as there is now a fee of $21.50 for it’s use.  The closest grocery store is 8 miles away so that leaves little choice.  I was able to get most everything on my list and be back in about 90 minutes.  I would have been back sooner, but I was behind another van for most of the way.  He had 12-foot lumber boards, hanging out the back, so he needed to go slow.  Add to that, a truck pulling a large trailer dumped part of his load onto the 2-lane road. While he went to reload the trailer, he left his driver’s door open so cars in both directions had to pass very carefully.  I made it back before the 4 pm next rental.

Other views of River Dunes 

     While I was gone, Pete scrubbed the boat.  We still had a lot of salt caked on the boat even through he had rinsed it at the Alligator River Marina.  He also found out that he needs work mailed to us, so we will be staying until Thursday.

     Once back, foods were put away and I made honey mustard chicken with the Boar’s Head Honey Mustard.  Recently at the Safeway, they were giving out samples.  It is one of the best mustards I have tasted; flavorful, with a slight kick.  I will have to keep more on hand.  It is definitely the “go to” mustard for our lunches.

    We chilled after dinner, watched some TV and called it a night.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~      K & P