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More North Carolina

11/9/2014

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Michael on the Neuse River, NC
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A commercial fishing center between Oriental and Beaufort, NC. A single hander resting at the dock.
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Sunset at Broad Creek, Near Oriental, NC
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Dockmaster at Spooners Creek, Near Morehead City, NC
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Traffic Jam on the ditch, Camp LeJeun, NC
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Sailboat aground at stretch through Camp LeJeun, NC
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These guys are on a mission
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Shore line south of Beaufort NC
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We anchored here at Writesville Beach
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Derelict Boat and building around South Port, NC
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Welcome to South Carolina
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North Myrtle Beach SC, on the ditch.
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Little River, near Myrtle Beach SC, entrance into a huge Marina.
Off to a late start; left Belhaven, NC ( 9:30 am) waiting at one location for  pump-out at one facility and over to another for a fill up of diesel, however the new proprietors were having mechanical problems with the diesel pump, so the spare tank of fuel had to do for the day. It was a cold day starting out, we were dressed as warmly as we could but thankfully the sun was shining!
We took a jut off the Neuse River to a beautiful anchorage in Broad Creek, just north of Oriental, NC. Gorgeous sun set ! The day included motor –sailing the second half of the Pungo River going south, Pamlico Sound, the ICW to the Neuse River.
 
Motor –sailed across the Neuse River, through Adams Creek, the IWC, New Port River , an extra early start got us all the way to Morehead City. Watching the chart very closely coming through the very busy area of Beaufort-Morehead, the  RR Bridge that is usually opened except when a train passes is closed for repairs, (however it is open from 12-1 pm)- by some miracle we sailed through just at 12: 30 pm-the only boat to do so. Really impressive homes in this area, and many boaters! We saw dolphins playing along the way, and it looks and feels more ‘South’-the smell of the  Atlantic Ocean wonderful! The Marina at Spooner’s Creek is ‘up-scale’ for the same  price as average, and just a half hr. walk to the Shopping Center. Pizza for supper, and left-overs for next day.

  The scenery past Morehead City includes some impressive architecture, boat ramps and many folks out fishing. It also included “DANGER” and “Restricted” areas, helicopters,  war ships and other military boats going through Camp LeJeun

Low water levels and a schooner aground just before the Onslow River Bridge created some havoc on the ICW (240.7) at noon- a backlog of ~20 sailboats and ~10 motorboats maneuvered  around a green day-marker ( we went aground but were able to back off ) to get to the swing bridge. We missed the 1pm, but the bridge operators honored the 1:30 -opening 5 minutes later.

  Instead of anchoring at Mile Hammock Bay ( which belongs to the military) , we tried to find a spot at New River- no luck-really low water, so we took a spot on the outside dock of Swan Pt. Marina-lots of traffic: Coast Guard, fisherman, Corp of US Army Engineers barges and others., ie . rocky. Good hospitality though, as we had hot cinnamon loaf delivered to Moxie. The  next day was more of the same, warmer, with more varieties of  shore birds and  even bigger mansions.

  The sun was warming us up but the wind was chilly, and the tides strong getting into Southport from the Cape Fear River. We saw a small part of Southport, dingied over to the area of Dutchman’s Creek Park, which is quite ‘resort’ like. Talked to Art and Kate Hesse  of Patriot, from NJ, but making their home in this area and on their way to Florida. Crossing the border from NC to SC was not met with a ‘Welcome’ sign of any kind, but we took a few photos and noted that there was less development and more trees, it was a Saturday so lots of folks were fishing, and some did not abide by the ‘No Wake” rule. “The Strand” at Little River is a boating and vacation area, lots of marinas, seafood restaurants-this area continues to Myrtle beach and Georgetown. We took a marina do laundry and have showers. 

Gerry Notes:
Moxie is running well, we burn about 1/2 a US gallon an hour.  Get's a bit dicey with the holding tank
and we need to pump-out every 3rd day or so.  We do about 30-40 miles a day, starting early and trying to get to our destination by early to mid afternoon.  99% of the big power boats, the fast trawlers  and sport fishing boats are very courteous and do a "slow pass" as to not knock us over with their big wakes.  As for the local power boaters, they all wave as they go past you at full speed, thakfully most of them are 25' or under. There seems to be a lot of plywood and paint wasted on the "NO WAKE" signs. We are trying to get to Charleston by the 11th and stop for 2-3 days to "smell the roses". Seem to have lost contact with some of the cruiser's we met earlier on especially the ones from the Chesapeake and the Dismal Swamp.



Nov 1-2/ 14          Belhaven Waterways Marina, NC (Mile 135 IWC)

Nov 3/14              Anchorage, Broad Creek, NC (Mile 173 ICW)

Nov 4/14              Spooner’s Creek Marina, Morehead City, NC (210 IWC)

Nov 5/14              Swan Point Marina, New River, NC (247 ICW)

Nov 6/14              Anchorage, Wrightsville Beach, NC (283 ICW)

Nov 7/14              Anchorage, Pipeline Canal, Southport, NC (311ICW)

Nov 8/14              Myrtle Beach Yacht Club, Little River, SC  (345 ICW)

 


 

 

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    Debbie and Gerry Connolly
    Sailing to the Bahamas the fall of 2014 on the 32' Mirage sloop "Moxie"

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