Southport,NC

We left a very chilly Surf City in order to make the 8:00 bridge opening. Today we only saw a few boats on the ICW, one of which was a beautiful Selene 48. Since there were a series of timed bridges today, Bill pushed it up to after the Surf City bridge so we could make it for the Figure 8 bridge 18 miles ahead at the top of the hour. The next bridge at mile marker 283 only opens on the hour also, so we slowed way down to go the next five miles. It all worked out perfectly. We were glad because an extra hour on the water waiting for bridges would have been cold.

Today we had literally every warm piece of clothing on that we could find. I sat in the companionway up by the dodger for most of the day. Bill used the remote auto pilot and did the same to try to get out of the wind.

When we went through Snows Cut and entered the Cape Fear River, the waves and wind picked up a bit. And we actually saw a few snow flurries. WHAT? Yesterday we saw dolphins.... today snow. The water is starting to get a little bluer/greener near the inlets to the Atlantic, however.

We stayed at Southport Marina, which was a great facility. The marina staff was very helpful, the floating docks all new.

Since we got to Southport fairly early in the afternoon, we walked downtown and explored a little. Southport has a great little waterfront with lots of shops and restaurants. We decided to et take out Thai and cozied up on the boat in front of the TV.

For more pictures of our trip via the ICW to Southport, NC Click Here

Surf City, NC

We decided to stay in Beaufort another day and finally left this morning (Monday). As we left Beaufort we had the current with us and saw 9.6 knots at one point. As we entered the Bogue Sound the current wasn't as much of a factor and we motored at our standard 7 knots. We followed the Bogue Sound for about 25 miles and then entered New River. At about mile 235, we passed through Camp Lejeune, which is a Marine Military reservation. Bill and I were lucky since not long after we passed through Camp Lejeune we heard via the VHF that they were closing mile 235-248 of the ICW from 1:00 to 5:00 for amphibious training.

At mile 240 we approached the Onslow Swing Bridge, which opens every half hour. Unfortunately we arrived at the bridge at 12:32 and had to wait until the 1:00 opening. Not really a big deal but we were both cursing under our breath since we were literally 20 yards from the last boat that was able to make it through. But we do understand and respect that they have a strict schedule to adhere to ... so we had lunch while we floated for a half hour until the next opening.

Today was a day when we didn't really know where we would end up for the night. If everything worked in our favor and we could time the bridges right we might have made it to Wrightsville Beach. But because of the delay at Onslow and the timing of the other bridges (the Surf City Swing Bridge only opens on the hour and that would have put us at mile 270 or so [the next stopping point] after dark) we decided to stop at Surf City. We arrived at Beach House Marina in Surf City around 4:00. We cooked dinner on board and played a little scrabble. Tomorrow we will leave in time to make the Surf City Swing Bridge at 8:00 am.

We passed under three fixed 65 foot bridges today and again the wind vane hit. Nothing else has fallen from the mast. Each time we go under a fixed bridge we hold our breath.

Two VERY cool things about our cruise today were 1) the many dolphins that we saw (one played in our wake about 3 feet from the boat), and 2) the three different V-22 Ospreys that flew overhead -- one of which flew directly over the mast of Mary Elizabeth. The V-22 is a mix between an airplane and a helicopter and Bill was more than excited because he had never seen one in person before.

For more pictures of trip to Surf City Click Here

Beaufort, NC

We are still in Beaufort, although we do plan on leaving tomorrow. Today there was a tornado warning in effect for most of the afternoon; glad we decided to stay put a few more days. Yesterday in between raindrops we took a cab to the closest movie theater, which is in Moorehead City. Bill was very excited to see the latest 007 James Bond movie, which we both gave two thumbs up. Last night we made a few friends at the marina bar and hung out. The marina is pretty much full at the moment. Everyone is holed up waiting for a weather window in order to get to their next destinations.

Weather

Beaufort is a great place. A little sleepy and quiet, but lovely. The marina is adjacent to the "main drag" so we have been able to walk everywhere. On Tuesday we visited the North Carolina Maritime Museum after we had a nice lunch on the water. We also walked around town and saw lots of the historic homes (from the outside). Like everywhere, there are a ton of homes for sale - it seemed like every other home (historic or not) had a sign out front. Bill and I popped in and out of some of the shops before heading back to the boat.

On Wednesday we did errands. There is a great laundromat right across the street so I was able to do three loads of laundry at once. We also borrowed the marina courtesy car and went food shopping and to CVS. Wednesday night we had steak and salad on board and watched TV. We have been having early nights lately. 6:00 feels like it is 11:00 for some reason....

So, Thursday (today) is the day that Tommy was supposed to fly into New Bern from Boston to help Bill and me take Mary Elizabeth on the outside straight from Beaufort to Charleston. However, earlier this week, after repeatedly checking the weather forecasts and talking to Cap' Dave, Bill decided that the timing just wouldn't work and we will continue south via the ICW and skip the Atlantic Ocean (for now). The winds were predicted to be a little too strong (20-25), and the waves just a little too high (5-7 ft) at small interval (every 7 seconds). It would have made for a less than ideal trip. And we really are in no rush. Our only goal is to be in Boca around the third week in December. Why push it. We are disappointed that we will not see Tommy (and thank him even though things didn't work out), but I am glad that Bill decided to continue our journey via the ICW - I am enjoying it!

So we had plans to leave early on Thursday morning and try to make it to Wrightsville Beach, NC (which would have been a fairly long day for us) via the ICW. We knew going to bed on Wednesday that it might be a "no go" since the weather was supposed to be bad, although we decided if it was only rain we would suck it up and go. Early Thursday morning when we woke up the radar showed an awful lot of rain and thunderstorms heading our way. We agreed to stay put in Beaufort for another day. The weather for Friday and Saturday is not supposed to be much better, so we'll take it day by day.

We have pretty much spent the entire day below since it has rained hard all day -- so hard that we couldn't see past the entrance to the inlet. And at least one boat on anchor was dragging. the big excitement for the day has been a large (10+) pod of dolphins apparently feeding on something in the harbor. They have been around all day swimming and playing. When it hasn't been pouring, we have sat topside to watch them and have been thoroughly entertained.

Beaufort, NC

Happy Veterans Day everyone.

Bill and I left Belhaven with every intention on stopping at Oriental, NC for the night. However, once we were underway we decided to push on and go all the way to Beaufort instead. It was only another two and a half hours or so, and we arrived at the Beaufort Docks around 5:00.

After we got a pump out, Bill did a fantastic job docking the boat (stern to) while fighting a current. The marina is 100% transient and is parallel to Main Street, where all the shops and restaurants are.

I have really been enjoying our trip via the ICW. It is picturesque; tree lined canals and marshes. Today we saw two dolphins. There is some boat traffic, but it is mostly others heading south. We have been fortunate to have such great weather and marine conditions.
We are going to stay in Beaufort until Friday. Today we are going to explore Main Street after Bill checks the strainers and engine / generator oils. Tommy should fly into New Bern (about 1/2 an hour away) on Thursday afternoon and we'll take off for Charleston in the morning. We are keeping an eye on the off shore weather, though. As of right now conditions are not supposed to be good.

For more pictures of our trip from Belhaven to Beaufort, NC Click Here.

Belhaven, NC

We left the Alligator River at statute mile 84 of the ICW about 8:00 and continued our trek south. Periodically throughout the trip we have spotted ICW mile markers. Today we saw several.

We have been using Dozier's Waterway Guide in addition to paper charts and the electronic GPS. Doziers warned of several reported trees / logs in the water. And sure enough We hit a log (or something) this morning. There was no damage and sv Mary Elizabeth continued on. It was just a strange sound.

Today was also a test since we had to pass under the Wilkerson Bridge at mile 125.9. The Wilkerson Bridge has a 64-foot fixed clearance -- a foot less than any other bridge in the ICW. Bill motored sv Mary Elizabeth under the bridge at less than 2 knots; if we were going to hit, we wouldn't hit hard. And we did hit. Not the mast, but the wind vane and lightning grounder at the top of the mast. Something came flying down, hit the dodger and then crashed on the deck. When all was said and done (and our hearts returned to a normal heartbeat) we realized that it was only the metal piece sticking off the wind vane that keeps away birds. Whew....

So, it was an interesting day -- to say the least. We pulled into Belhaven, NC around 2:00 or so. The marina is small and cute. No cable, but they do have a movie "lending library" (which we took advantage of).

For more pictures of the trip to Belhaven, Click Here.

Alligator River

Coinjock was fun. Last night we went to dinner and had the famous prime rib. The marina was pretty busy since everyone seems to be on the same schedule. We met a bunch of nice folks.

This morning we had a very short trip from Coinjock, NC into the Alligator River. We are staying at Alligator River Marina; a sleepy little place. The weather started nice this morning and got darker as the day went on. For the most part, though, we had a comfortable, scenic trip in the ICW.

Dinner and a movie are on the agenda for tonight.

Tomorrow we are going to be in Belhaven, NC.

For more pictures of trip down the ICW to Alligator River, Click Here