Voyage 2005-2006: Chapter 2

01 Nov 2005, Day 13: Beaufort NC, 34 43.582 N/ 076 40.008 W

Four days ago, we elected to spend one more day in EC because the weather was nasty (cold and rainy). Remember, we are fair weather sailors! We did some shopping, eating, eating, and shopping. The next day, we left Elizabeth City and continued our trek south with SY Moony. We left at 0710 with 10 kts of wind out of the North with a temperature of 45 degrees F. At 0915, while entering the Albermarle Sound, we got a VHF call from SV Party II (aka SV Everden). They were nearly a day ahead of us. (SV Everden is the boat that we had such a great time at Vero three years ago). Later that day, while traversing the Alligator River, winds picked up to 10-20 kts in our favor. with this favorable wind, we arrived early at the Deep Point anchorage at 1440.

Rats! Eastern Standard Time begins. Kinda of a pain to change time while cruising! We left the anchorage at 0615 with very cold temperatures (41 F) with marginal winds. We entered the Pongo Canal 0625 and spent nearly four hours of non-fun cruising because of the shoals and 'dead heads' (nearly submerged logs that want to hurt sailboats). We crossed the Pamlico without incident and arrived at R/E Mayo Bait and Shrimp Company at 1425. SY Moony was impressed! Though R.E. Mayo is not everyone's cup of tea, we like it because it is cheap and sheltered. The only facilities are the outhouses (one for boys and one for girls). SY Moony was so thrilled to be there that they invited us for dinner (again) after having cocktails and cheese on Jule III.

Alarm went of at 0530. we readied our diesel jerry cans for R.E. Mayo's 0600 opening. We filled 10 jerrys (6 from Jule III and 4 from Moony). Wow, North Carolina adds sales tax to fuel. That stinks! Left the dock at 0710 with no wind and moderating temperatures. SY Moony passed us in the Neuse River but allowed us to take the lead in Adams Creek. We experienced lots of favorable current in the canal (1.5 knots) which is unusual for us! At ICW mile marker 200, Ann saw her first dolphin of the season. She screamed "Dophie, dolphie, dolphie". Bob was embarrassed!

As we were approaching Russel's Slough, Moony took the lead as they have had been this route before. There are lots of pretty special shoals around there. They scoped out the anchorage at Town Creek in Beaufort NC and found anchorages for both of us. Anchors were down at 1330 (wow, we are quick). At 1400, we pumped up our dinghy for the first time this trip and headed for town with Wolfgang and Denise. We checked out the town, reserved a loaner car at the Museum (another story), and had dinner at the Beaufort Docks. Saw Dave of Sugar Creek (Bahamas 2003) and said 'hi'.

Today, we slept in! We were up early enough to log in with the Cruiseheimer Net (8152 kHz USB). We heard many old friends also logging in. We took the dinghy to town at 0910. Moony had to go to the bank, Ann went shopping for grandbaby presents, then we headed for the museum. At 1100, we got our courtesy car and headed for West Marine and 'Wally World'. Too much fun! When we got back to Beaufort, we went to the ice cream store for lunch and ice cream. We are NOT losing weight! On our way back to the dinghy dock, Bob said, "that looks like Charbonneau". Sure enough, Blaine, Janet, Max, and Bailey were heading into Town Docks. It was great seeing them. They are headed for Charleston tomorrow so no time chat. Blaine likes the rough weather (20-25 kts with higher gust forecast). At 1500, Moony and Jule III arrived back to their boats. One trip to the marina for fuel and ice and then the day was over.

04 Nov 2005, Day 16: Arrived in Carolina Beach, 34 02.791 N/ 077 53.481 W

Two days ago, on our 31st wedding anniversary, we dinghy-ed back to Beaufort from Town Creek, rented a car and headed for Kitty Hawk to pick up some stuff with Wolfgang and Denise. It was a long drive, but we had a great time traversing the Outer Banks on the way back. We arrived back at the boat at 2200. We found a note glued to a cockpit seat indicating that we had anchored in the Taylor Creek channel and should move South of the green markers. Guess what! We are in Town Creek which is over a mile away from Taylor Creek. We figured that the Town Creek Marina thought our third day of anchoring was encroaching on their facility. As we were leaving the next day, we didn't think too much of it, until ....

Yesterday, we noticed that someone stole the ignition key from Jule III. We believe that it was stolen by the 'note people'. In our twenty years of cruising, we have never had such abuse. When people have problems with where we anchor, they tell us so. They don't endanger our boat and our crew. If you plan to anchor in Town Creek, prepare for a covert hassle, expect petty theft, and expect no help from the locals. We plan to anchor there in the future, but we are now armed with our local knowledge.

Enough said about the Town Creek incidents. At 1530, we (Jule III and Moony) weighed anchor, passed through the Beaufort draw bridge and headed for Beaufort inlet. One or two 'bumps' later, we passed Radio Island, out the Inlet and headed for Masonboro Inlet Wrightsville Beach. SY Moony was coming with us as they had not received all of their stuff from Kitty Hawk. The night passage was uneventful other than the head winds were a little strong than predicted (15 knots). It was a little bumpy but not uncomfortable. However, we all saw many shooting stars, brilliant stars, and sleepy eyes.

We arrived at the sea buoy a little before sunrise so we decided to wait until the light was a little stronger. At 0630, we proceeded into Masonboro Inlet and headed for ICW. Inlet was well marked for daylight entry but poorly lit for nighttime use. We headed South down the ICW with much current, both fair and foul. The water was a little thin where Carolina Beach Inlet and the ICW meet but we endured. We arrived at Mona Black Marina at 0900. This is where Jule III will winter until January when she will continue her trip South. Moony will leave next week when their parts arrive.