We were out of our now windless hidey hole at Camp Lejeune at 6.26am. The second boat to leave...the first was the little yacht that had anchored behind us....we were watched closely by all the other eyes on board the other 6 vessels. Two are out of the photo, on the right.
The bridge in question opens on the half hour after 7am. We had three miles to go to get to the bridge, and it would open on request before 7am. This is a main road leading to the Army Base, so we figgered we would get ahead of the pack by making an early opening. We did request an opening at 7 mins to 7am, but were told it would take him 6 mins to open the bridge on request. He did it for us anyway, and we were through there by 2 mins after 7:) This is a swing bridge.
Our tax dollars left standing in a swamp. Yes, back to swamp, again today. The vegetation was shorter and scrubbier than we had experienced in Sth Carolina around Osprey Marina. Here we were so close to the ocean, and we could see it!
The sun under that cloud front...it got cooler, then the cloud burned off and we got sunshine again. We opened all the windows up stairs and were happy to keep them open today.
Not long after turning a corner, we spied this little cottage and Island for sale...MINE!!! :) It was in a rather windswept way, with the ocean just over the horizon to the right...well, not even over the horizon....really only a sand bar away, actually.
The significant thing about motoring today, was the long straight channels...for miiiiilllleeesss!!! and the little islands all around us, as you can seein the chart. This is obviously at cedar Point...we didn't actually see anything other than swamp with houses along the far outer reaches.
Next up was the seaside resort/town of Atlantic Beach. There is talk of the Sea rising about 30 inches in the next 30 yrs...they aren't prepared to make predictions beyond the 30 yrs, we read today!
and opposite, up a bit and over the bridge is Morehead City. This is a port city, and where Potash and Phosphate Rock comes from. Waz recognized the name on one of the barges, saying he used to buy these natural chemicals for the Fertilizer Works he worked at in NZ (as an Industrial Chemist), from this very company and place:)
Chemical containers at the port...tugs waiting for the barges to be loaded, and off again to somewhere.
on the chart, that is just to our left. You can see the green and yellow triangles indicating that the tugs have AIS tracking systems like us.We went through a narrow channel under a disused rail bridge, just ahead of the boat on the chart, and the next part of our journey began. The water was wide open coming into this port city up the ICW.
Along the way we saw grand homes and not so grand homes...puppies out doing what dogs do best...especially Labs...swimming! He had a mate who was still in the water.
On this stretch of the ICW there were many homes all shut up, indicating that they were holiday homes, perhaps. We loved the boldness of this home:) It was so well done. The doors inside the screen room underneath were shocking pink...can you see them?
This was typical of the journey once we left Morehead City behind. Lots of Marina on the side, lots of long docks from homes back behind the marsh grasses and trees. The trees got a bit smaller, lots more pines, far less Palms...I think it gets a bit cold up here for them?? Lovely Maples and Magnolia everywhere..blooming of course:)
The view back to the channel as we were leaving, entering the Neuse River which is 5 miles wide and can whip up into a storm at the drop of a hat. The wind had been pretty strong again today, and we had passed up a reasonably exposed anchorage just a mile back from the Neuse river , here, in favor of the Marina we had booked for the next night. Good call, I think.
This home was on the corner of the channel and the River. Interesting!
Yes, it is only 1.14pm, and I had prepared some lunch while we rocked and rolled in the channel. Again, we are about to cross a shallow body of water, but Waz chose not to follow the yellow brick road and take deep (enough) water to the start of the channel leading to our Marina. He had called ahead and asked if they could accommodate us for an earlier night as well?? of course.
I was too busy putting out the fenders on the starb'd side and three sets of ropes...one forw'd, one center and one stern. This is not a floating dock, unfortunately:( So the fenders I put out were too low, and I didn't have time or enough hands to change the height before docking. We were helped in by the Dockmaster, which was good, with the wind behind us pushing us onto the dock. WE managed to adjust the fenders after getting those lines on.:) This view is looking back to the Neuse River, from the Marina.
Originally the club house was built to be the figurehead on a Marina and Condo complex..but the financial crisis hit, and the rest didn't happen. The Marina is brilliant, but there are not enough transients who come here, and they should. It is well maintained, the bathrooms are 'suites' of loo/large shower/basin etc. All spotlessly clean! how nice! There is also a swimming pool on the right side.
Inside there is coffee...please leave .50c, a library that you are free to take books from...and bring your old ones, and to sit in the airconditioned comfort.
The club house has a huge deck, and some rocking chairs. Waz and I tried them out for size and comfort....we are retiring here!!:) right here!! just this very spot!! with rockers.
Being as it was early, and we had come into dock because we needed parts for the boat...not to forget the absence of food on the boat, we went into Oriental, the town...all two miles along the main road, of it. Fun! The SILO restaurant and bar was open, and it was time for dinner..being 4.30pm, so we sat and had a $1 beer and I had a shandy (half 7-up, half beer) and we ordered a Supreme Pizza...one 12 inch one! it was plenty:)
The wait staff were so pleasant and the people relaxed, which was nice.
Apparently there is a large...make that LARGE retirement crowd here..most of who have owned, or currently own a boat of some kind...and then there are those who used to and want another one, lol.
The good news is that they are worldly and approachable..even better. No snobs around here, apparently. We like that. We also love the area! stunning! No Spanish moss on the tall trees...just lovely tall trees! yay!
..and of course all the Magnolia in bloom...aren't they just the most stunning flowers?
Of course the minute we docked, the wind died! huh? and it cost us an extra night at the marina! bah!
Well, we couldn't complain too much...not TOOO much...the view is gorgeous and the late afternoon was just to be enjoyed. Waz and I sat on the fly deck out back and just enjoyed it all.
I even got to read my book for a bit...until the light went away.
Now that looks relaxing! What's the book?
ReplyDeleteIm re-reading Cross, but James Patterson.
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