I have no photos of pelicans but we are definitely in their territory and they are so cool. They fly in formation, skimming the water surface, stand stately on pilings, dive with their wings bent at extreme angles and those long bills that they groom themselves with (as well as catch fish). Really too cool.
We felt discriminated against in that no dolphins swam with us today but did major swimming with our companion boats.
We all left Swansboro this morning within 1/2 hour of each other according to the speed we expected to travel or the dogs that had to be walked or the coffee to be finished. It was fun to notice our departing "rituals" that were not quite rituals. All of us came out to help each boat detach its tethers - releasing lines, fending off, last "safe voyage," "see you at the first bridge" comments. Amazing that the last boat to leave got off, given that they were leaving without "help."
We had an easy day of traveling, with a few moments of sweaty armpits at the places that inlets cut into the ICW. The current is confused, thus pushing our dear Grace around a bit. I really want to be holding the wheel at those times rather than relying on pushing the buttons to adjust the automatic pilot. The boat just responds more quickly to hands-on steering than the computer steering. And, I feel that I/we have more control.
There is a nasty short passage where we have to cross a river and make a turn. Shoaling is cautioned but still unexpected and hard to avoid. Even going slowly. Our lead boat "bumped" (Silence Rising to the right)
and a following boat ran aground. We were about three miles ahead of Ken, who was aground, and turned around to assist but he and the rising tide managed to get him(self) off before we'd gone very far. Phew. Another following boat went hard aground and, I think, had to call TowBoat US, our favorite insurance policy.
By the end of the day one boat was in a marina at Surf City as planned, two others were about the same distance but I don't know where they were spending the night. Ken was in Wrightsville Beach as planned and we made it to Carolina Beach as hoped. We're on a town mooring and using our new "Buddy" (propane heater) that Pat and Kathryn helped us get as our heat source. So far, great. A long day - 10 hours - but a good day of boating. We even put the sail out for a brief while and gained a whooping 1/10th knot, all the way up to 7 mph!
Sights along the way:
A very pink house with very unnatural palm trees. The trees were real it's just that palm trees don't grow here, naturally.
One of three military boats that passed us. From a distance and their rooster tails I thought they were jet skis. Not. More like an amphibious tank. Going fast, carrying 3 people, combat gear, large gun on the front, pretty heavy armor projection.
The ICW goes through Marine training grounds. We called yesterday to see if the way was going to be clear - no live fire!!! No plans to close the ICW today we were told by the "Fire Officer."
Grace is gracefully sitting on a mooring in very calm waters with the town of Carolina Beach in the background. It's only getting down to 37 degrees tonight and was a very warm and sunny 65 degrees today. We are definitely in warmer territory. Fun today remembering places we "bumped," places we anchored, ran aground, made wrong turns and had to do U-ies. Sweet memories....now that it isn't cold and there is no snow and ice. Amazing what warmth can do for ones/my attitude! I was at the helm a lot more today than yesterday. That helps attitude, too.
What sorts of joys and challenges will tomorrow bring?
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