From Florida to the Chesapeake and Back

Day 10

At the risk of sounding redundant, being on the water early in the morning is just wonderful. The Neuse River was like glass, with just a hint of a breeze. The weather was warm yet refreshing and a welcome change from a few days earlier. We left Oriental after trying to get a pump out only to find that the free pump out station in town was broken. We will have to make it a couple more days. Our goal today was Spooners Creek, a few miles outside of Morehead City. As we approached Morehead City, off in the distance we saw boats. Now understand that up until now we have seen other boats, but mostly one or two at a time, and only a couple of times a day. But ahead we saw boats, lots of boats. Boats going in every direction, boats sitting still fishing, just boats all over. We had to pick our way through the gaggle of boats all around and through Morehead City. Also, we noticed the water had changed color from the coffee colored brown to a much lighter green color. As we made the turn to head down Bogue Sound, there were more boats, everywhere coming and going all around us. I think our days of running solo are over for a while. We reached Spooners Creek and it was only 12:30 p.m. We made great time going the 30 miles. We hadn’t even had lunch yet. Our next targeted stop was 36 miles away, and we had been averaging about 9 knots, that would get us there in another four hours roughly. Still daylight. Ok, let’s go for it. Along the way Rick kept trying to take pictures of the dolphins breaking the water’s surface. I guess he just doesn’t learn.

We pulled into Swan Point Marina at just about 4:30 p.m., got tied up and settled in just as the sun was setting. One thing we noticed right away, mosquitoes. Yes, those pesky disease carrying nuisances that they are. Good thing my wife kept the OFF on the boat. After a full day it was time for a shower and some dinner. There is a restaurant here that will come to the marina, pick you up and take you to the restaurant, then bring you back when you are finished eating. We took advantage of the convenience and had a really good dinner. Fresh shrimp, deviled crab, and cream of crab soup. Very tasty.

Tomorrow we head for Carolina Beach, south of Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach. It is about a 50 mile trip. Today we stretched and did 69.1 miles for a total of 471 miles. We ran 9hrs. 7mins. today. 50 miles tomorrow is just a walk in the park.

Until tomorrow..