Day 11 - Nov 6, 2013
Awoke a little later to a beautiful morning with warmer temperatures. Got the coffee going and fiddled with the phone/internet trying once more to update the blog. No luck again. We can get a 3G signal, but every time we try to connect, the signal switches to a 1X connection and then bombs out on the internet connection. Bummer!
We finally get underway about 0650 hrs. We get back into the Waccamaw River and head south toward Georgetown. We catch some of the outgoing tide and get a boost for a while. That doesn’t last and then we are bucking the current and making only 5 MPH. There is lots of floating vegetation and other junk floating in the river. Some of it is visible and some of it is partially or totally submerged. We avoid what we can see, but we whacked something good with the prop. Not sure if it is just my imagination, but we seem to have a vibration in the driveline that wasn't there before.
As we leave the Waccamaw we are able to motor sail and regain some speed. We motor sail all the way to the Esterville Minim canal. We continue on past the North and South Santeee Rivers and head toward McClellanville. We arrive at the shallow trouble spot right at the bottom of the tide. We poke along for a couple miles running in water between 4-6’ deep. Real nail biting stuff. Could not find enough water to head into our destination anchorage so we proceeded on. Another couple of miles and we had 9-10’ of water.
We continued on to the next anchorage at Awendaw Creek. We have used this anchorage before. It’s unprotected from winds from all directions and has a ripping tidal change of 6’. We anchored at low tide and have 13.5 feet of water under the boat. At 2300 tonight we will have approximately 20’ of water.
Location: Awendaw Creek, 34 miles north of Charleston, MM 435
Distance Traveled: 61 Statute Miles
Avg Speed: 6.3 MPH
Start: 0650 hrs
Stop: 1625 hrs
Day 7 - Nov 2, 2013
An uneventful run from Morehead City to Mile Hammock Bay. There were a few sprinkles and some reduced visibility. There were 9 boats in the anchorage when we arrived. Two others joined later for a total of 12 as the sunset. Things were fairly quiet overnight except for a wind shift sometime around 0200 hrs.
Location: Mile Hammock Bay, MM 245
Distance Traveled: 41.5 Statute Miles
Avg Speed: 6.3 MPH
Day 8 - Nov 3, 2013
Only one incident observed in the run from Mile Hammock to Carolina Beach. Northerly winds and strong current fouled up the timing of a couple of bridge openings at Figure 8 Island and Wrightsville. We had to jockey around for about 40 minutes while waiting to pass through Wrightsville Beach Bridge. As usual, one sailboat ran aground at the shoals just before the bridge. He was a lucky one and was able to unground himself and still make the bridge opening.
We took a mooring ball at Carolina Beach. The wind seems to rip through the anchorage/mooring field. The $20 flat fee mooring is worth the piece of mind. I did get up in the middle of the night and double up on our lines to the mooring ball pennant. Went back to bed sensing I had added to our security.
Location: Carolina Beach Mooring Field, MM295
Distance Traveled: 52.1 Statute Miles
Avg Speed: 5.9 MPH
Start: 0645 hrs
Stop: 1520 hrs
Day 9 - Nov 4, 2013
Slept late this AM. Need to time the run down the Cape Fear River today. This means we should not leave the mooring field until at least 0830 hrs. The run down Snow’s Cut to the river was speedy and then we ran slam into the “washing machine”. An ebbing tide and northerly winds had the river really churned up. It was like putting a little paper boat in a washing machine. It was a lumpy but reasonably speedy run down to Southport. At Southport we ran into the current roaring out of the ICW toward the inlet.
We trudged on and decided to stop at St. James Marina at Mile Marker 315.
We needed to do laundry, refuel and take on water. The facility was recommended by other cruisers and it certainly lived up to their reviews. A great place and attentive staff.
Location: St James Marina, near Southport NC, MM 315
Distance Traveled: 20 Statute Miles
Day 10 - Nov 5, 2013
First hiccup in the day plan. It’s really nasty overcast and sprinkling. No predawn moving in this mess. We finally got underway at 0622 hrs.
Out in the ICW, we managed to take advantage of the current to arrive at Lockwoods Folly Inlet a little before high tide. Following tips from cruisersnet.net we negotiate our way through with no problems. One trouble spot down, one more to go.
We arrived at Shallotte Inlet at the top of the tide and again following cruisersnet.net tips we successfully passed through the inlet. Two down, none to go for the day.
We continued on to the Little River Inlet, Myrtle Beach, into the Waccamaw River and our destination oxbow anchorage.
Location: Waccamaw River, South of Myrtle Beach, MM 374.1
Distance Traveled: 61 Statute Miles
Avg Speed: 6.4 MPH
Start: 0622 hrs
Stop: 1545 hrs
An uneventful run from Morehead City to Mile Hammock Bay. There were a few sprinkles and some reduced visibility. There were 9 boats in the anchorage when we arrived. Two others joined later for a total of 12 as the sunset. Things were fairly quiet overnight except for a wind shift sometime around 0200 hrs.
Location: Mile Hammock Bay, MM 245
Distance Traveled: 41.5 Statute Miles
Avg Speed: 6.3 MPH
Day 8 - Nov 3, 2013
Only one incident observed in the run from Mile Hammock to Carolina Beach. Northerly winds and strong current fouled up the timing of a couple of bridge openings at Figure 8 Island and Wrightsville. We had to jockey around for about 40 minutes while waiting to pass through Wrightsville Beach Bridge. As usual, one sailboat ran aground at the shoals just before the bridge. He was a lucky one and was able to unground himself and still make the bridge opening.
We took a mooring ball at Carolina Beach. The wind seems to rip through the anchorage/mooring field. The $20 flat fee mooring is worth the piece of mind. I did get up in the middle of the night and double up on our lines to the mooring ball pennant. Went back to bed sensing I had added to our security.
Location: Carolina Beach Mooring Field, MM295
Distance Traveled: 52.1 Statute Miles
Avg Speed: 5.9 MPH
Start: 0645 hrs
Stop: 1520 hrs
Day 9 - Nov 4, 2013
Slept late this AM. Need to time the run down the Cape Fear River today. This means we should not leave the mooring field until at least 0830 hrs. The run down Snow’s Cut to the river was speedy and then we ran slam into the “washing machine”. An ebbing tide and northerly winds had the river really churned up. It was like putting a little paper boat in a washing machine. It was a lumpy but reasonably speedy run down to Southport. At Southport we ran into the current roaring out of the ICW toward the inlet.
We trudged on and decided to stop at St. James Marina at Mile Marker 315.
We needed to do laundry, refuel and take on water. The facility was recommended by other cruisers and it certainly lived up to their reviews. A great place and attentive staff.
Location: St James Marina, near Southport NC, MM 315
Distance Traveled: 20 Statute Miles
Day 10 - Nov 5, 2013
First hiccup in the day plan. It’s really nasty overcast and sprinkling. No predawn moving in this mess. We finally got underway at 0622 hrs.
Out in the ICW, we managed to take advantage of the current to arrive at Lockwoods Folly Inlet a little before high tide. Following tips from cruisersnet.net we negotiate our way through with no problems. One trouble spot down, one more to go.
We arrived at Shallotte Inlet at the top of the tide and again following cruisersnet.net tips we successfully passed through the inlet. Two down, none to go for the day.
We continued on to the Little River Inlet, Myrtle Beach, into the Waccamaw River and our destination oxbow anchorage.
Location: Waccamaw River, South of Myrtle Beach, MM 374.1
Distance Traveled: 61 Statute Miles
Avg Speed: 6.4 MPH
Start: 0622 hrs
Stop: 1545 hrs
Day 6 - Nov 1, 2013
We awoke to a small sailboat dragging anchor across the channel and heading toward the Municipal Docks. Towboat US appeared out of nowhere, took the boat in tow and put it into a slip two over from ours.
We stayed in port today. The approaching cold front was expected to be here by 2100 hrs tonight and blown out by 0700 Saturday morning. Latest prediction say everything is delayed so we’ll have to wait and see.
We took a walk around town at midday and found our favorite bakery has closed up. Sign says they have moved somewhere? Moving on we visited a local book/gift shop and then had lunch at the Ruddy Duck Tavern. The temperature was so mild we got seating outside on the deck facing Sugarloaf Island. Lunch was a shared Wahoo Bites and French Fries plus we both had a cup of Clam Chowder. All were very good. We also sampled Hoppyum, an India Pale Ale from Foothills Brewing. Splitting a very good homemade Banana Cream Pie topped off an excellent dining experience.
After lunch, Donna visited some galleries and craft studios. I returned to the boat to install some additional lines and adjust the existing ones in anticipation of the front. I finally managed to get the boat positioned so the bumpers were no longer creaking against the hull and dock. Trying to reduce the infernal slapping of water against the stern was a lost cause effort.
Enough for today.
Location: Morehead City Docks, Morehead NC, Mile Marker 204
Distance Traveled: ZERO Statute Miles
We awoke to a small sailboat dragging anchor across the channel and heading toward the Municipal Docks. Towboat US appeared out of nowhere, took the boat in tow and put it into a slip two over from ours.
We stayed in port today. The approaching cold front was expected to be here by 2100 hrs tonight and blown out by 0700 Saturday morning. Latest prediction say everything is delayed so we’ll have to wait and see.
We took a walk around town at midday and found our favorite bakery has closed up. Sign says they have moved somewhere? Moving on we visited a local book/gift shop and then had lunch at the Ruddy Duck Tavern. The temperature was so mild we got seating outside on the deck facing Sugarloaf Island. Lunch was a shared Wahoo Bites and French Fries plus we both had a cup of Clam Chowder. All were very good. We also sampled Hoppyum, an India Pale Ale from Foothills Brewing. Splitting a very good homemade Banana Cream Pie topped off an excellent dining experience.
After lunch, Donna visited some galleries and craft studios. I returned to the boat to install some additional lines and adjust the existing ones in anticipation of the front. I finally managed to get the boat positioned so the bumpers were no longer creaking against the hull and dock. Trying to reduce the infernal slapping of water against the stern was a lost cause effort.
Enough for today.
Location: Morehead City Docks, Morehead NC, Mile Marker 204
Distance Traveled: ZERO Statute Miles
Day 5 - Oct 31, 2013
Up at our usual time, but today for breakfast we dine on the nutritiously zero Pop Tarts and coffee. I think the Admiral may be on strike.
Running a little late, the anchor is finally up at 0730 hrs. Today’s destination is some marina in Morehead City. We usually try to get a cheap dock at the Sanitary Restaurant, but they do not have services or showers and the Admiral insists she needs a shower.
Passage through Adams Creek and most of Core Creek are nothing noteworthy. Skies began turning very grey and the winds piped up as we exited Core Creek. Then light rain started and the winds got stronger. Conditions went further downhill during the 4 miles to Morehead City. During this final trudge, I managed to contact Portside Marina, secure a slip at the Morehead City Docks and arranged to refuel and do a pump-out at Portside.
When we reached Portside, the rain changed to a light drizzle. The wind remained up and docking was difficult, but we were able to keep from crashing the dock. A dock hand informed us this weather is a coastal low that formed off SC and fooled the weather guessers. Imagine that! After conducting business at Portside, we moved eastward down the channel to the City Docks.
A strong cross current and the strong southerly wind made getting in the slip very difficult so we docked bow in. Thank goodness the finger piers are 50 feet long. Bow in means our stern faces into the strong southerly winds. This means we will have wave slap under the stern all night. Oh well, a little noise is easier to tolerate than a dock crash or broken equipment.
It was 1400 hrs after I spent time adjusting lines, getting shore power connected and washing down the boat with fresh water. Standing in the rain, washing down the boat…its official, I’m either dumber than a rock or nuttier than a fruit cake.
Funny how a couple of brews and some snacks make the ole attitude a little better. As I write this blog entry it’s almost 1800 hrs and I feel like I need a shower and a nap before dinner. To bad I’ll be wide awake when I get back from the shower. Fortunately, a full tummy always puts me to sleep.
The weather report indicates the front headed our way will have rain, lightning and strong winds, but should be blowing out of here by Saturday morning. We may be sitting Friday out right here. We'll be checking the forecast again later.
That’s it, I’ve rambled on enough already.
Location: Morehead City Docks, Morehead NC, Mile Marker 204
Distance Traveled: 17 Statute Miles
Up at our usual time, but today for breakfast we dine on the nutritiously zero Pop Tarts and coffee. I think the Admiral may be on strike.
Running a little late, the anchor is finally up at 0730 hrs. Today’s destination is some marina in Morehead City. We usually try to get a cheap dock at the Sanitary Restaurant, but they do not have services or showers and the Admiral insists she needs a shower.
Passage through Adams Creek and most of Core Creek are nothing noteworthy. Skies began turning very grey and the winds piped up as we exited Core Creek. Then light rain started and the winds got stronger. Conditions went further downhill during the 4 miles to Morehead City. During this final trudge, I managed to contact Portside Marina, secure a slip at the Morehead City Docks and arranged to refuel and do a pump-out at Portside.
When we reached Portside, the rain changed to a light drizzle. The wind remained up and docking was difficult, but we were able to keep from crashing the dock. A dock hand informed us this weather is a coastal low that formed off SC and fooled the weather guessers. Imagine that! After conducting business at Portside, we moved eastward down the channel to the City Docks.
A strong cross current and the strong southerly wind made getting in the slip very difficult so we docked bow in. Thank goodness the finger piers are 50 feet long. Bow in means our stern faces into the strong southerly winds. This means we will have wave slap under the stern all night. Oh well, a little noise is easier to tolerate than a dock crash or broken equipment.
It was 1400 hrs after I spent time adjusting lines, getting shore power connected and washing down the boat with fresh water. Standing in the rain, washing down the boat…its official, I’m either dumber than a rock or nuttier than a fruit cake.
Funny how a couple of brews and some snacks make the ole attitude a little better. As I write this blog entry it’s almost 1800 hrs and I feel like I need a shower and a nap before dinner. To bad I’ll be wide awake when I get back from the shower. Fortunately, a full tummy always puts me to sleep.
The weather report indicates the front headed our way will have rain, lightning and strong winds, but should be blowing out of here by Saturday morning. We may be sitting Friday out right here. We'll be checking the forecast again later.
That’s it, I’ve rambled on enough already.
Location: Morehead City Docks, Morehead NC, Mile Marker 204
Distance Traveled: 17 Statute Miles
Day 4 - Oct 30, 2013
We’re up at 0600 hrs. We have coffee and breakfast as we wait for daybreak again.
We up anchor at 0715 hrs and move out of the anchorage and back into the ICW. Our planned destination today is Broad Creek which is just a little north of Oriental, NC.
There is very little wind from any direction. The water is flat and glassy which makes for easy motoring and absolutely no sailing. We arrive at the turn to head for Broad Creek around 1430 hrs and decide to continue on to an anchorage in Adams Creek. When we arrived there, we found 9 other boats already anchored which made it next to impossible to anchor there. We found a wide spot off the ICW channel just big enough for one boat and 6.5 feet of water. We got the anchor down at 1645 hrs. Being close to the channel, we got a few wakes from motor yachts until almost dark.
It was another uneventful day, but the weather forecast looks like mother nature has some changes coming out way. Thankfully we only have about 14 miles to Morehead City where we will get a slip, fuel up, take showers and hunker down for the predicted cold front and nasty weather.
Location: Adams Creek, NC, Mile Marker 187.5
Distance Traveled: 58 Statute Miles
Avg Speed: 6.1 MPH
We’re up at 0600 hrs. We have coffee and breakfast as we wait for daybreak again.
We up anchor at 0715 hrs and move out of the anchorage and back into the ICW. Our planned destination today is Broad Creek which is just a little north of Oriental, NC.
There is very little wind from any direction. The water is flat and glassy which makes for easy motoring and absolutely no sailing. We arrive at the turn to head for Broad Creek around 1430 hrs and decide to continue on to an anchorage in Adams Creek. When we arrived there, we found 9 other boats already anchored which made it next to impossible to anchor there. We found a wide spot off the ICW channel just big enough for one boat and 6.5 feet of water. We got the anchor down at 1645 hrs. Being close to the channel, we got a few wakes from motor yachts until almost dark.
It was another uneventful day, but the weather forecast looks like mother nature has some changes coming out way. Thankfully we only have about 14 miles to Morehead City where we will get a slip, fuel up, take showers and hunker down for the predicted cold front and nasty weather.
Location: Adams Creek, NC, Mile Marker 187.5
Distance Traveled: 58 Statute Miles
Avg Speed: 6.1 MPH
Day 3 - Oct 29, 2013
We’re up at 0600 with the temperature of 60F inside the boat. It feels about 10 degrees less outside. I slept fitfully because the refrigerator kept cycling and making funny noises. Sure hope it’s not going bad.
While waiting for daybreak, we enjoy coffee and a wonderful breakfast of boiled eggs, homemade bread and a fruit cup. Heck, I don’t usually eat this good at home.
We upped anchor at 0700 and got underway. The Albemarle Sound was very calm and we make good time. We approached the Alligator River entrance and found the troublesome channel marks essentially where I had replotted them back in 2010. The bridge tender held a long opening allowing about 14 boats to make it through.
We make good time and opt to change our destination from the southwest end of the Alligator River to the south end of the Pungo-Alligator Canal. It’s a boring run through the 20 mile canal, but we made good time and arrived at our destination anchorage at 1750 hrs. We anchor in 10 ft of water along with 11 other sailboats and 2 trawlers. It was a quiet night and we both slept well.
Pungo-Alligator Canal
Location: Pungo River, NC, Mile Marker 127
Distance Traveled: 69.5 Statute Miles
Avg Speed: 6.9 MPH
We’re up at 0600 with the temperature of 60F inside the boat. It feels about 10 degrees less outside. I slept fitfully because the refrigerator kept cycling and making funny noises. Sure hope it’s not going bad.
While waiting for daybreak, we enjoy coffee and a wonderful breakfast of boiled eggs, homemade bread and a fruit cup. Heck, I don’t usually eat this good at home.
We upped anchor at 0700 and got underway. The Albemarle Sound was very calm and we make good time. We approached the Alligator River entrance and found the troublesome channel marks essentially where I had replotted them back in 2010. The bridge tender held a long opening allowing about 14 boats to make it through.
We make good time and opt to change our destination from the southwest end of the Alligator River to the south end of the Pungo-Alligator Canal. It’s a boring run through the 20 mile canal, but we made good time and arrived at our destination anchorage at 1750 hrs. We anchor in 10 ft of water along with 11 other sailboats and 2 trawlers. It was a quiet night and we both slept well.
Pungo-Alligator Canal
Location: Pungo River, NC, Mile Marker 127
Distance Traveled: 69.5 Statute Miles
Avg Speed: 6.9 MPH
Day 2 - Oct 28, 2013
We took our time getting underway today. Our destination is an anchorage about 8 miles away. It is a good jumping off point for crossing the Albemarle Sound and getting deep into the Alligator River or even beyond.
We departed Midway Marina at 1015 hrs in chilly, sometimes overcast conditions. We arrived at our anchoring location at 1205 hrs and dropped the hook in 8.5 feet of water at the mouth of Lutz Creek.
After a great lunch, we both took a nap. I slept for about an hour, but Donna slept till almost 1600 hrs. Two 40+ ft sailboats and a big trawler anchored near us.
Location: Lutz Creek off the North River, NC, Mile Marker 59
Distance Traveled: 8.5 Statute Miles
Avg Speed: 5.0 MPH
We took our time getting underway today. Our destination is an anchorage about 8 miles away. It is a good jumping off point for crossing the Albemarle Sound and getting deep into the Alligator River or even beyond.
We departed Midway Marina at 1015 hrs in chilly, sometimes overcast conditions. We arrived at our anchoring location at 1205 hrs and dropped the hook in 8.5 feet of water at the mouth of Lutz Creek.
After a great lunch, we both took a nap. I slept for about an hour, but Donna slept till almost 1600 hrs. Two 40+ ft sailboats and a big trawler anchored near us.
Lutz Creek Anchorage
Location: Lutz Creek off the North River, NC, Mile Marker 59
Distance Traveled: 8.5 Statute Miles
Avg Speed: 5.0 MPH
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