Beaufort - Hammock Bay - Wrightsville - Holden Beach 5-8 Jan

  

   We've made this trip down the ICW so many times that there aren't many sites that warrant breaking out the camera and opening the enclosure to get a good photo. We did see this unusual home on the way down from Beaufort.

   We had any easy transit to the anchorage at Hammock Bay then on to anchoring at Wrightsville. The weather has been sunny so it is warm during the day inside the cockpit enclosure. Nights are cold jumping into the bed but it gets warm after awhile. Was a bit breezy in the Wrightsville anchorage but we had enough protection from the shore to keep the waves down so no problems.

   

   After Wrightsville Beach, the ICW passes through Snow's Cut and into the Cape Fear River where you can encounter merchant ships passing up and down the river heading to/from Wilmington. We had the current against us but a stiff northerly wind helping us sail down the river, staying out of the main shipping channel and away from these big guys.

   Other guys to watch out for are the ferries on the Cape Fear River that shuttle across the river. This guy was planning to pass us and cut in front to enter the ferry dock but he decided at the last minute he wouldn't make it without hindering us (we were sailing at the time) so he hit the brakes and then passed behind us.  Just to be nice, I started the engine and sped up a bit to clear the harbor entrance quicker. 

   Safe arrival at the Holden Beach city dock. We stayed here a couple days visiting my brother who has a house at Holden Beach, and my sister who was staying in Myrtle Beach for a couple months getting out of the freezing winter temperatures in Texas.

   It was a good time to stop at a marina and plug in to shore power so we had heat plus the electric blanket as the night temperatures were getting down into the 30s.

   Sue got to walk the beach a couple days looking for shells. Holden Beach usually has a good selection of interesting shells but this visit all we saw was a variety of clam shells. Beach sunsets are always an inspirational view and this visit was no different. But it was soon time to push on further south for warmer weathers.

New Bern to Beaufort - 4 Jan

    We're all loaded up and ready to push off for warmer climes. Unfortunately the weather isnt cooperating so we are still sitting in New Bern waiting for a storm front to blow through on 3 Jan. Looks like it will be departure on the 4th.

   Finally underway and heading south. A bit bundled up for the chilly morning but the sun is out and the cockpit will start warming up as the sun shines in. We've got the mainsail up but there is not much wind so we're motoring down the Neuse River on smooth waters.

   After an uneventful transit down the Neuse and Adams Creek we are anchored in Beaufort off the US Coast Guard Station, our frequent anchoring spot behind the sand dunes protecting us from the ocean. 

   Temperature is in the high 40s, so not too bad and we will forego running the generator for heat. Will be sleeping in some warm clothes tonight. If it gets much colder we will have to crank up the generator so we can turn on the electric blanket.

Bahamas 2022 Cruise Here We Come (Hopefully) - Dec 31

   The rental car is loaded to the gills and Rivah will ride at Sue's feet for the 3hr drive down to New Bern from Yorktown but, we got it all loaded up and are ready to start the Bahamas 2022 Cruise. Next time we'll plan a trip down to New Bern in our van a few days before departure. You forget how many "last minute" items you have to load up before departing on a 4 month cruise.

  One of the final departure tasks is to clean and lubricate the anemometer at the top of the mast. Sue is the designated ascender, decked out  here with her bosun seat for lifting, safety harness for a second safety line, and showing her new phone tether she received for Xmas.

   Up at the top giving the instruments and genoa swivel a good lubricating and the light housing checked. All is working properly now.  Great to have a First Mate that can take care of these chores.

   The weather didn't look good for a departure before the 1st, with a major storm forecasted for 3 Jan, so we decided to stay the weekend over the 1st in New Bern. They had a nice New Year's celebration downtown with a "dropping of the Bear" display. This small bear was dropped at 9pm for the children and a larger bear from the clock tower at true midnight. We celebrated the 9pm dropping which is also known as "Cruiser's Midnight" for us sailors that have to conserve our batteries and turn the lights off at 9pm. (Actually, this classic cruiser convention is becoming obsolete as we all switch to LED lights which use almost no amperage. LED lights are one of the greatest inventions going for cruisers along with the new powerful and efficient solar panels.)

   On Jan 4th, it was time to get underway on a sunny and brisk 30 degree morning, heading as quick as we can southward towards warmer weather and the clear, blue waters of the Bahamas.