Talk About Lucky…!

Trolling for shrimp

Hop, Skip and Jump Takeoff

     Last year we tried to pass this area in Morehead City around 3:30 in the afternoon while trying to make Swansboro by dusk. We encountered the strongest flood tide ever: about 3.5 mph against us!  Today, we cast off lines by 7 this morning and took advantage of the currents.  We had the last of the ebb as we left the marina and left doing 8.1. Slack occurred while we crossed the inlet, where we slowed to 3.2 mph last year. Today, we maintained 7.5.  That increased to 7.9 as we headed south through Bogue Sound.  We managed to maintain the high 7’s for hours.  I did slow to 6.5 in Swansboro after the inlet with the change in current, but it only affected us for about 10 minutes, then we increased up to 7.2.

Matthew was not kind

     We had no problems traveling from mark to mark, heading about 50 foot off the reds or greens. Swansboro, I did stay to the east of the channel at Red 48, which was reported to reportedly gets skinny.

Happy puppy getting some lovin'

     Initially, we planned to stop early in Swansboro for the night.  Pete’s work schedule for today is very busy.  However, since we were making great time, we opted to continue to Mile Hammock Bay,

Camp Lejeune and anchor before the conference calls were scheduled.

Welcome to Camp Lejeune

Approaching the notorious Brown’s Inlet in Camp Lejeune, Pete took the helm due to its tricky shoaling.  Bob Sheerer, from Active Captain, came through a short while ago, and with his usual thoroughness, charted the depth and made recommendations for navigating through this area. Once safely though Pete radioed back the details to SV STILL CRAZY, who we met at River Dunes.

     While waiting for the 12:30 opening of the Onslow Beach Swing Bridge, we enjoyed out lunch.

     Pete was on the phone so I opted to slow down outside of the anchorage so he could finish.  Smart move, as it allowed me to watch a dolphin surface periodically as she made her way north.  No time for a photo, just wonderful to observe!

Today's travel buddies

      Anchor was down by 1:30 and the biting flies arrived at 1:40. Ever since Bailey was bitten by a wasp 3 year ago (a vet ER visit at midnight due to the swelling around her mouth and lips!), anything that flies and makes sound makes her agitated and she doesn’t know what to do.  Often, she tries to hide, but they manage to still find her.  We finally realized that we could send her down below and put the screen up to keep the files away.

Traffic overhead

     I was surprised to see how many vehicles are parked on the dock here at the anchorage. Then again there were a lot of fishermen in small boats all around the area.  There were also helicopters landing, and we could hear the tanks and heavy trucks traveling the roads beyond the tree line   This is the most land action we’ve seen here, but it didn’t stop there.  As darkness descended, a small group went swimming from a black Zodiac (SEALs training?), the Osprey returned to slowly sink behind the tree line again.  That was joined by the helicopter a few moments later.  They both hovered in that area for about an hour before everyone left and quiet returned.  

     Pete and Bailey are heading to shore for one last outing, then we will call it a night.

Sunset tonight

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~  K & P