River Dunes to Morehead City, NC

Today:  34 miles, 5 hours, ICW St. M 203

Total:   398.2 miles, 57.0 hours

Broad Creek leaving River Dunes

SV CHRISMA
 also traveling Adams Creek

Heading to the Neuse River

With it being a short travel day, we slept in until 7 and on our way by 8:15.  While we were crossing the Neuse River, we were passed by 3 military small boats heading outbound.  As we neared Oriental, we had about 8 other boats join the journey into Adams Creek. I was at the helm for most of the day.  Pete is still slammed with work.  Transiting Adams Creek, we averaged 8.4 for a good deal of the time.  At both the top and bottom of the creek, were lots of dolphins.   At one point, a family of 3 (2 adults and a baby) surfaced about 10 feet in front of the bow and dove under the boat just in time.

One of the Views along Adams Creek

Juvenile Eagle

The two caution areas I had to navigate were well documented on Active Captain, but for the shoaling area on the Newport River, just before Morehead City, I asked Pete to take over as the directions were a bit confusing.  Once clear of the confusing area, Pete called Camp Lejeune to make sure we could transit through the area tomorrow.  Thankfully, there is no military activities that will stop our transiting through the camp.

The missing red
from the Newport River

One of the many shallow areas
and islands on the Newport River

We were docked by 1 pm, just behind Marty and Charlie, of PEGASUS.  We talked for a while.  They also took a dock in Belhaven just before the front came through.  Just as the winds hit, their boat healed and the aft line snapped!  They had to call the dockmaster at home just down the block, for help.  Manpower alone could not bring the boat closed to the dock.  Thankfully, it was a sailboat and the line was tied to the piling, then cranking the onboard winch was able to pull the boat back to the dock in that 40+ mph wind.  Turns out, they also had the chart plotter die in Oriental, and the anchor winch jam.  Hopefully, since that is 3, there will be no further problems.

After checking in, I started laundry. Then I took advantage and spent about 45 minutes brushing Bailey on the dock.  The amount of hair that come off of her was unreal. Hopefully, I will be able to keep the hair down onboard for a little while.  It also gave her a chance to say “hi” to everyone walking by.  I also met Tamara and Belle, a Chihuahua. She, her husband and Belle are heading north to Harrington Harbor with their trawler.  A new job has taken them from San Diego to D.C.  and they have been staging their trawler from the west coast to the Chesapeake.  They had a beautiful overnight passage last night from Charleston to Morehead City.

Surprising to find the Magnolia
blooming in November!

Fall decorations on a home
near the water

With only one washer and one drier, laundry was finally done around 5:30. Bailey and I took a long walk before dinner. After a beautiful sunset and dinner on board, I headed up the facilities to luxuriate in the shower and wash my hair. All that hot, pressurized water is sooo decadent!

Looking NW from our marina
close to sunset

Magnificent view from our boat!

~~~ /) ~~ K & P