Morehead City To Duffy's Creek- Two Days

SM 200 just north of Morehead City

We were gone by 7 this morning. The current gods helped a little, but it was a long day. The winds were none to light for most of the day, but around 2 kicked up. The Neuse River was very calm.

     
     While motoring across Pemlico Sound in confused seas with 15+ mph winds, we somehow got air in fuel line. Pete was able to bleed the line, but noticed drip from water pump went from 5 sec drop to 1 sec. Once on our way, Pete called Duffy's Marina, requested a recommendation for a mechanic and extra day. We went straight into the inside slip by the gas dock.  The winds 15-20 from SSE and it took 2 sets of hands to pull us to the dock.

Pines lined up like soldiers along the Pongo River

     It is a cute marina, sociable with a pool and new restaurant coming soon and very convenient to the Alligator Pongo Canal, but it is away from downtown Belhaven and open to the east and south.  We rocked most of both days.  The mechanic came around 11 on Saturday to remove pump. Even though Pete has everything needed to replace it, the information on YouTube, insisted that the bearing needed to be banged into place.  The mechanic laughed, agreeing with Pete that banging is very bad!  He used his home press and returned around 5:30 to install. Pete was very impressed with him. An Island Packet stopped for fuel, sang praises of Danny. He custom fit a new engine into the boat last year. Great recommendation indeed!
    We discussed our plans and rather than head up to the Alligator River Marina, that is open to the East and SE, or try to make it to Coinjock, where the winds are supposed to be the highest, we will head back to Belhaven Marina, where it is protected and a very short walk to get Bailey ashore. Pete made the call and has reservations for 5 days.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~  P & K

Mile Hammock to Morehead City ~ 2 days

     We were the last to leave the anchorage around 8 am.  Pete wanted to navigate though the skinny areas just north of the entrance to Mile Hammock, where the ocean has breached the dunes and created shifting shallows.  We did have about a foot under the keel and was glad we were on a rising tide.  Close by, they were dredging Brown's Inlet.

     Pete had work, so I had the helm for a while.  The winds were light and the skies cloudy.

     We arrived around 4:30 pm. And plan to stay 2 days so Pete can work on a project and I can pick up some things tomorrow.

Morning Dew

      In the morning, there were crews using a jack hammer on one of the cement walkways.  When I asked about the loaner car, she apologized for the noise and said that there was no charge (instead of the $10 fee) due to the early morning noise.  It was currently out, so I asked if it would be available around 4.  Since I needed to go to Harris Teeter and West Marine, Pete called in an order to Jersey Mike’s that I picked up on my way back. 

       Pete and George worked most of the day on a work project, while I got a few chores ticked of my list before food shopping.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~  P & K

Carolina Beach to Mile Hammock Bay

PEKABU leaving
Carolina Beach
taken by HAPPY TRAILS

     Pete had calculated the time needed to make the 10 am opening of the Wrightsville Bridge.  We had planned to leave at 8 to leave us a slight buffer. We waived farewell to SV HAPPY TRAILS as they were going to say at Carolina Beach for a couple of days to provision and walk the beach. We were only 10 minutes behind in our timing, but Pete was concerned due to our slow headway against the current.   We made it to the bridge at 10:02.  Thankfully, the bridge tender was friendly and agreed to open.  Once we clear this bridge, there is only one more for today, The Figure Eight Bridge.

     Boat traffic was pretty light compared to other days of traveling.  Around 3, we were the first of 4 to drop anchor in Mile Hammock. Bailey was confused as Pete didn’t try to walk her after he set the anchor.  Currently, there were about 20 marines along with 8 vehicles on shore taking turns driving a course.  Pete found our later that these were MPs, who were training in evasive driving.  They wrapped up around 5:30 and Bailey was glad to finally head to shore.
          

     After dinner, as the sun set the mosquitoes came out, so we headed down below.  Once again did some reading since we didn’t recharge the batteries, then headed to bed.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~  P & K

Myrtle Beach to Carolina Beach

 Left about 7:30. Tide still going out. SV RENAISSANCE just grounded outside the marinas, and was now waiting the rising tide.

    Temps were in the 60's and low 70's, the breezes kicked up around mid-morning. Due to the number of inlets today, we had changing currents all day due to Little River, Shallotte’s, Follies, and Cape Fear Inlets. The current gods finally were kind as we headed East through Snow's Cut!

Our speed though Snow's Cut

     SV HAPPY TRAILS passed us just before we entered the Cape Fear River. As we pulled into Carolina Beach Mooring Field, HAPPY TRAILS was already on a mooring ball. We were able to snag the #2 mooring ball, near the town dock.  It makes it much easier to walk Bailey at night and in the morning.

     Both of us went to shore to walk Bailey and to check out the beach.  Even though it was a weekday, the beach was the most crowded we have seen. With everyone home due to the quarantine, they took advantage of the sun, sand and water, while minding the social distance recommendations.

          
Carolina Beach ~ Water, sand and blooming cacti

         
     We detoured on our way back to the boat to say “hi” to Kathy and Mike. While chatting, I saw the head of a Loggerhead turtle come up about 15 feet from the boat.  With a head that was about 8-10 inches, I could only imagine just how big the carapace is!

     Since we didn’t need the Honda to charge the batteries, after dinner, we just read for a while and called it a day.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~  P & K

Georgetown to Myrtle Beach

Bailey loving the warmth

My favorite old tree

     It was another long day. We left Georgetown by 7:30 in the hope of catching the flood tide. Kathy and Mike were already gone. We were about a half hour too early, so we fought the current for the first few hours.  If you have to have somewhere to slowly watch the scenery, the Waccamaw River doesn't disappoint:  Knobby-kneed Cyprus trees, floating water lilies, sun bathing turtles, ospreys nesting as well as fishing, a golden eagle gliding through the trees in the marshes;  windy, forested river bends, and vegetation that finds a way to survive on fallen trees and old trees that are hollow, but still has a few green branches.

Last attempt at fishing
before we leave SC

     There is a lot of home construction in southern Myrtle Beach along the ICW. Barefoot Landing has had a lot of new things added, especially eateries. Lots of people were out and practicing social distancing. Others we out enjoying being out on the water and celebrating Mother's Day.

     When we pulled into Myrtle Beach Yacht Club, SV HAPPY TRAILS was already docked by the fuel dock.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~  P & K

St Johns to Georgetown

     Our original plan was to wait until after the 9 am opening and pull into Isle of Palms (only 3.5 hours away) for the night, as both the Wapoo Creek and The Ben Sawyer have opening restrictions.  That would also lessen the travel hours to out next spot, Georgetown. When attempting to make reservations, there was no dockage available at Isle of Palms and we are on the wait list for Tyler's Cove. The Beaches, restaurants with outdoor seating will open up today, which probably explains the full marinas. After some plotting, discussion, and planning, it was decided to make the Wapoo before 7 am and clear The Ben Sawyer before 9, when the hourly openings begin. So . . . .

          We left St John's at 5:45 am and cleared the Wapoo by 6:30. It was a cloudy morning so sun rise was a nonevent, but shortly thereafter the sun peeked out for a while.  The temp when we left was 63 degrees. However, once on the Ashley River, the 20+ mph winds from the north appeared and the temp quickly fell to 50, but felt like a raw 46! We bundled in extra layers and put up the enclosure. What a difference!

    We went through Isle of Palms and McClellenville at high and mid-rise, but at dead low, there would have been some tricky spots.

    The skies cleared, and we enjoyed this beautiful stretch of the ICW. The current was against us for a greater part of the day, which I guess you could say, gave us more time to enjoy the scenery.

     Since we arrived around 5:30, the Marina office had closed. We were told to tie up on the inside of the face dock to the west.  As we approached, SV HAPPY TRAILS was also tied up at the end of the dock! 

     Once docked, I took Bailey for her walk. Kathy & Mike had returned from their bike ride and were talking with Pete.  Their plans for the Great Loop are probably being delayed a year. The Corona Virus 19 restrictions have delayed lock repairs in Northern New York so they are reassessing their options.

Both Kathy and I totally enjoyed tonight's sunset!

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ P & K

Week Four in St. John’s, NC

Friday, 5/1/20 -  Thursday, 5/7/20 ~

         

     
This week, we continued doing standard chores, chilling at the dock, reading, talking with neighbors, but keeping social distancing and periodic forays to the stores for provisions, boat or hardware. Only did drive throughs a couple of times just for a break.  We will save our restaurant visits for next trip, where we should be able to enjoy the experience.  Pete had work to keep busy for part of the days and managed to get in about 14 hours of fishing, but unfortunately no catching.  In all that time he only had 2 nibbles on the lines, but no bites.

     Tomorrow, we will be traveling on the water again!

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~  P & K