17 April 2023
Depart: Beaufort, NC Sugarloaf anchorage ~ 10:30
Arrive: Morehead City Yacht Basin, marina, ~ 11:00
Distance: < 2 nm
Conditions: cool (almost cold) about 70 degrees with a breeze
Beaufort, North Carolina is a commercial port. We had 53 feet of water coming in the inlet - plenty of water for "big boys".
In the pictures below, a tug is holding a barge against the large vessel while a crane loads the barge with a black substance - perhaps coal.
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| Railroad bridge near the anchorage. |
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| Train cars |
We were anchored very near today's marina, so it took a very short time to get from the anchorage to MCYC. They assigned us a spot right behind "Change of Plans" with an adorable young beagle named "Sparky" on board. Two young boys were on board. At one point they accidentally left the transom door open. Sparky was quick to take advantage to sneak off the boat and take a walk down the dock. He got to greet quite a few folks before the alarm sounded that he had escaped his boat.
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| "Sparky" says hi |
It took two tries to get the tank filled. The stop at Tractor Supply Company did not go so well as they could only partially fill the tank. We later went to NAPA where we had success filling the tank. Since we were out an about, we grabbed lunch at No Name Pizza restaurant and then returned to the boat to reinstall the propane tank.
We hung out on the boat and talked for the afternoon. At dinner time we went to the restaurant "34 North". It was a surprisingly chilly evening. We had planned to dine outdoors but quickly changed those plans. By the time we left the restaurant, it was downright cold.
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| Flowers at "34 North" restaurant |
Bev and Dave returned us to the marina where we said our goodbyes until next time. We got back in time to enjoy watching the sunset.
18 April 2023
Depart: Morehead City Yacht Basin marina 8:15
Arrive: Private dock, Fairfield Harbour, near New Bern, NC 12:45
Distance: ~ 34 nm
Conditions: 50s in the morning with a light breeze
We left the marina early because we expected to have to fight current along the way, and our friend, whose dock we planned to use, had to go into work in the afternoon. As it turned out, we left early enough to have current helping us along on our travels.
We traveled Adam's Creek Canal to Adam's Creek to the Neuse River today.
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| ICW Mile marker 195 on Adam's Creek Canal (i.e. 195 miles to Norfolk, Virginia) |
Pictures taken on the canal ...
Partially sunken houseboat on Adam's Creek Canal ...
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| Interesting choice of color combination (gray with lime and pink accents) |
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| House at the entry to the Neuse River from Adam's Creek |
When we entered the Neuse River, we saw some typical sights on this river.
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| Sailboat on the Neuse River |
Clark could not see any ferries as we neared the ferry crossing, but he predicted that as soon as we got closer one would appear. Bingo! He got it right. As soon as we got close, one popped out into the waterway, and we had to make adjustments to speed to stay out of his way.
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| Ferry crossing the Neuse River |
We arrived at our friend's house much earlier than I anticipated from Clark's earlier predictions on travel time. That just meant we had more time with our friend Ralph and his dog Chewy. We have known Ralph and Chewy since we did the Great Loop at the same time in 2015-2016.
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| Our friend's house in Fairfield Harbour |
Chewy is getting older and a little gray around the whiskers.
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| Chewy |
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| Nothing better than a cold drink in one hand and a friendly pooch in the other. |
After Ralph left to go into work, I brought my laundry up to the house and got busy. While I waited for the laundry, I pulled out my colored pencils. Initially I had no ideas what art I would work on. Then I saw a picture of Ralph's Looper boat and decided to try my hand at drawing it. I found a picture of a Nordic Tug 47 on line plus a picture Ralph had at this house of his specific boat to use as my models. I was pleased with the result given I only worked on it between laundry loads.
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| Internet picture of Nordic Tug |
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| "Mazel Tug" - my rendition |
19 April 2023
no travel
Ralph told us about a house down his street that recently burned to the ground. Chewy agreed to go for a walk with me to go see the damage.
We only planned to stay two nights, so we leave in the morning. It was great getting to visit and spend time with our friends. We could not stop on our way south in October since our pressing schedule did not allow for a side trip at that time.
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| Nothing left of the house as they collect the debris from the fire and cart it away. |
Clark thought he would have to do some toilet repair this afternoon as the toilet would not stop pumping after his last flush. However, when he went to start work on it, everything was operating as it should. He was not looking forward to that stinky job and was glad to get a reprieve. I wonder how long it will keep working.
Meanwhile, Ralph had some chores to do since today was his day off. His job has kept him extra busy recently, so he had a few things to take care of including taking his truck to the dealer for a warranty fix. At one point Clark and Ralph disappeared to go wash Ralph's boat and left me to relax on the boat with my current book.
For dinner, boating friends we met on the Great Loop, Pat and Dick, came over to join us for pizza. We had a great evening together.
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| Dick, Pat, and Ralph |
Later, after Pat and Dick went home, I took Chewy for a walk around the local streets. Actually, he took me where he wanted to go. Afterwards, Chewy found a toy and wanted to play tug-o-war with me.
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| "Chewy" with stuffed whale toy |
We only planned to stay two nights, so we leave in the morning. It was great getting to visit and spend time with our friends. We could not stop on our way south in October since our pressing schedule did not allow for a side trip at that time.
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