We got an early start with a whole string of boats leaving the anchorage to try and
time the multiple bridges with different opening schedules that we would encounter
today. The unknown was how fast we would travel due to the strong currents that
influence traveling speed. We were blessed to have the following current when we
most needed it and counter current when it least affected our timing.
As our cruising guide warned, inlets along the way imposed difficult side currents
and shoaling of the waterway and several times today we had to do sudden s-curves
to go around shallow areas. We were following another sailboat that was a little
deeper than we are, which was helpful. The stretch below Wrightsville Beach was very
busy with boat traffic, the first time we've encountered this on our trip.
While on this stretch we got a phone call from Mike Link apprising us of "Sandy",
which has been very much in our lives since.
We pulled into Carolina Beach State Park Marina, a very nice marina, cheap with new
docks,cheap laundry and well - protected. We rode our bikes the two miles over to the
Atlantic Ocean where there is a beautiful beach with soft clean sand and then had dinner
at The Dive Shop.
After researching our options we decided the best place to weather the coming storm is
right where we are so we are hunkering down, double - tying all our lines, creating a
spiderweb around our boat, stripping all canvas, tying off our dinghy and hoping for
only a glancing blow from "Sandy". It looks like the high winds will be around for
several days.
While here we met Linda and Steve who educated us on galvanic isolators and the need
for them and for monitoring stray electrical currents around our boat and the docks. We
then placed an order for the appropriate equipment which we are having delivered to
a marina we will stay at next week.
If it works out timewise, depending on "Sandy", we hope to visit with Jer and Deb in
Hilton Head as we pass through.
Dolphins swimming along with us
Empty docks at Carolina Beach Marina, off of Cape Fear River
53 miles
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