Snow still covers the dock but the deck is clear as we leave the city dock. Out around Radio Island and through Morehead City commercial shipping area. As we make our way down the “ditch” we get passed by 2 motor yachts, one being “Mims” from Mattituck, NY, my home town. Uneventful ride until we get to the Onslow Bridge a little early and have to wait for an opening. Pressing on in the cool temps and occasional sprinkles, we get to Surf City Bridge at 1610 and have to wait for the “top of the hour” meaning 5 PM. Still have a way to go till we get to Harbour Village Marina at MM267.3 and it will be dark. Got to get the bridge timing better. The hammer goes down and push along at 8+ knots in the waning light. Entrance turns out to be straight forward and we tie up at the fuel dock and fill up. They got 9 inches of snow and have no plows, and I guess no shovels? The dock is a hazard with the snow melted underneath and now starting to refreeze. Mike Moran, the dockmaster, keeps telling us to be careful. Of course as he leaves, down the stairs he goes; no damage though. Buttoned up for the night in our warm cabin, it’s dinner and bed.
1.12.11
Nice hot shower in the morning after navigating the ice covered landscape. We cast off at 0835 and jump back into the ditch. It’s 32 degrees with a sharp WNW breeze at 15k. We get to the Figure Eight Bridge just a bit early but guess what; it’s broken and the electrician is “on his way”. We’re advised to anchor and we do, trying to get the hook on the side of the channel in shallow water. It took 2 tries as the chain was a knotted mass in the locker from our offshore jaunt. What a mess, there is no paint left up there either. The bridge operator hails us that they’re going to give it a shot; we fire up the diesel and hoist the anchor. Great, it works.
On the road again but it’s 1230. Pass 2 brand new catamaran ferries headed north; the York (New York) and the Jersey (New Jersey) presumably to be pressed into service. In the afternoon we go through Snows Cut with the current howling against us and our boat speed goes down to less than 5k. The sand banks on both sides look like adobe. Then into the Cape Fear River and lots of ranges to figure out. No problem and unrolled some jib for a while. Seemed like the depth sounder was stuck on 46 feet for hours. It works. We pull into Southport Marina just after 4PM and tie up for the night. Out to town for dinner at Loco Jo’s, (yes, she’s loco), then back to the boat to wait for Andrew’s friend and his gal coming down from Charlotte. This is his ride out and when they arrive it’s time to catch up for the high school buds. Until 2AM! Finally settled them into the forward cabin and got some much needed shut eye. Tomorrow’s another day, as it usually is. MM309.3
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