| Seaesta |
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| November 1-8 |
| November 1 Motored another 40 miles and anchored in the alligator river late in the evening. We watched dog fights with millitary jets for about and hour. I think the jetfighters were using our boat as a reference point for their cross overs. We seem to be surrounded by military presence here. The counrtyside is deserted of people but very picturesque and peaceful. November 2 Woke up to 35knot winds whipping the river about. We picked up the anchor and raced down the river. Motored and sailed past belhaven to slade creek. It was peaceful and anchored in solitude. November 3 We inched our way out of the creek following our GPS breadcrumbs. Sailed to Oriental, NC, a small town with crab and shrimp boats. A man at the dock (sorry forgot his name) was very hospitable with quite a southern drawl. He informed us where the stores were and after his coffee he would drive us to the IGA. Well we went to the boat shop and bought what we needed then walked 1 1/2 miles to the grocery store. The man we had met earlier found us in the IGA and told us to load up with heavy items because he would give us a ride back to the boat. Consequently loaded up on potatoes and the such. We then were given a scenic tour of the town. The man gave us the town history and pointed out the vistas. I guess that is what you call nice southern hospitality. November 4 Left Oriental NC and motored to Beaufort NC. We went to the Maritime Museum with the children. Beaufort is where the Pirate Blackbeard was captured. We then went on a graveyard tour of the oldest graves in town. We met another couple from Maine (Bath). Bob and Diane on Sanderling are very nice and invited us for happy hour aboard their sailboat. A little ironic that the first sailors we meet are from the good old state of Maine. November 5 We awoke and tried to lift up anchors but one anchor was caught on our lobster buoy then became stuck on the propeller. James had to go swimming to retrieve it. We motored to Swansboro. We tried to set an anchor four times but the anchor would not set. The current was so swift, I became very frustrated!! Finally we saw a man getting out of he boat by his dock. We yelled if it would be alright to tie up. They said "Yes" -such nice people. November 6 Left a Thank-you note at the dock and set out early. We met up with the vessel Manx Cat along the way and sailed to Wrightsville beach. James invited "Manx Cat" over and the boys played with Jack (7) and had a great time.. November 7 Awoke and took the kids to the beach. Manx Cat children played on the beach also then we motored to Southport. We found two free docks to tie up to at the Provision Company Resturant - fully intending to have a meal there. But the resturant closed early. Jenny form Manx Cat and I did not want to cook so we took the kids to the bar next door to eat. Fried Fish, Fried Shrimp, November 8 Crill were eatting stuff of the bottom of our boat all night. The crill made a loud crunching sound like hundreds of teeth scraping the hull. Motored to Barefoot Landing - a mall complex alongside the river built upon an alligator swamp. We saw our first alligator. Since we rafted up to the S/V Manx Cat the children got together and watched Shrek2.. |
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| Just one of many bascule bridges we had to go under. |