Wrightsville Beach

Tuesday. May 12, 2015, 7:30AM

 Anchored at Southport, NC. Mile 309 ICW. Beautiful morning, Moderate S winds. Had our usual strong Starbuck’s French Roast, freshly ground, hot and black, except for you know who?

Spoke briefly (thank God) with Pete, who was on his way to Walmart for work. He has a cat on board and I made the mistake of asking him about that. He started the cat story but realized he was late. Saved by Walmart.

Bacon and eggs just the thing to get going, which we did at 12:30PM. Just on time, that is just at one hour past high tide, perfect timing to shoot us through Snow’s Cut, yet another torturous  narrowing on the ICW, well known for eating boats.

 

Federal Point Ferry

 

 

Headed out in the Cape Fear River and were suddenly launch northward by the incoming tide at eight, close to nine knots. We peaked outside through the Cape Fear Inlet, salivating at the chance to go out into the Atlantic (not to be today) and continued northward. Put the jib up, cut the engine and sailed along at seven knots. Exhilarating!

 

Jib Flying

 

South Bank Snow's Cut

 

 

Took the jib down as we entered the narrow channel leading to Snow’s Cut. Passed through the Cut without getting devoured. Past Joyner’s Marina where we stayed last fall and shot up the ICCW with shallow inlets, little bays and a long series of sand dunes separating us from the Atlantic. Jib back up. Past Carolina Beach Inlet, through Masonboro Sound and finally past Masonboro Inlet to our anchorage at Wrightsville Beach at ICW mile 283 and a twenty-six mile run.

 

Pretty Trawler in Cape Fear River

The anchorage was filled with boats, and after a few tense moments, got the anchor down in a relative safe place, in a strong SW wind. After midnight the wind moderated and turned W.

Had our standard cockpit cocktail, I made killer pasta and off to bed we went, with anchor dragging visions plaguing our slumber.