Back Home in MCYB

We have had wonder adventures; met lots of friends-old and new; seen beautiful sunsets, sunrises, fishes, houses and "stuff". But it will be good to be back in Morehead. I know in a little while, I'll be thinking about traveling again, but I'm going to enjoy this for awhile.

We had calculated how long it would take us to get our anchor up, which means wash all the black slimy mud off. How far we were away from the Onslow Beach Bridge, which is very strict about it's opening times. And when we could get to some shallow places and have enough water. This may not be "rocket science", but it can get complicated!

Shhhh, don't wake Sea Salt! They are leaving later and can sleep awhile longer!

 We cranked the engines at 6:00 and started cleaning off the mud. We had allowed 20 minutes and it only took 15. We pulled out of the anchorage and had 45 minutes to get to the bridge which opens on the hour and half hour. We adjusted our speed until our estimated time of arrival was 5 minutes before the opening. We called the bridge at 6:57 and she told us it would be 3 minutes. Then another boat called and said how long will it take you to get it open. She said it depends on how the bridge "feels this morning". What does that mean? Anyway we got thru with no problems.

A little fog on the waterway. Glad its not bad. We would have a hard time getting to the bridge.

 As we were waiting for the bridge to open we had dolphins swimming around us and we could hear the waves breaking on the Onslow beach. Nothing wrong with that.

 

Onslow Beach Bridge

We knew that Brown's Inlet can be tricky, especially since it has an S shapes path thru it. We had no problems, just followed the markers and calculated 5' MLW. That means we don't want to try and go thru a low tide.

The chart shows that we should go on the right of the G 61A, but we should go on the left of it. As we did.

As we pass thru Camp Lejeune, we could see tanks  and targets set up on the beach side. We had seen an announcement that the waterway was closed for traffic in Camp Lejeune for part of the day Tuesday. Yes, they close the waterway when they are having practice with live ammunition. Well, I know I don't want to go thru then!

I guess this is a target?

On the trip from Mile Hammock, Shay got out our dock lines and decided which went where. I cleaned up the V-berth for Sarah and Travis and I cleaned up the boat. I turned off the anchor light that has been on for over 7 months. It's solar, so we just left it on all the time, even at dock, so we wouldn't have to remember it later. We will turn off the windless and just turn it on as needed. I put up the anchorage book, the chart book, and my bag of stuff we took upstairs every morning on the move. The headsets, handheld GPS, and remote auto-pilot will be charged and put away. It's kind of sad, Escape is changing from a moving home to a stationary home. But only for a while. We will still take short trips to Cape Lookout and other places. We can't sprout roots!

It's Memorial Day Weekend. Thank you to all who have served your country!

There are lots of small pleasure boats on the water today. It's a beautiful day and looks like a great time to be on or in the water!

We are very close to MCYB. This is the waterfront near Morehead City

Shay told me he knew we were getting close hours ago when he could see this bridge in the distance. Finally getting to it!

Lots of boats around us.

Getting closer!

This sailboat was getting bounced around by all the other boats. I told Shay I bet the girl was giving the guy a hard time about bringing her out in this mess!

This was the Turning Basin in Morehead City. Shay said it was a good thing that we were the only boaters out there!

Morehead City waterfront

Looking toward the inlet. The boat on the right is Coast Guard and has the other boat pulled over.

Our Last Bridge!

Here we are!

Our welcoming committee! Thanks Guys!

We got here about 1:30. We traveled about 37nm, at 5.2kts., for 7 hours. We are glad to be home!

Travis and Sarah got here shortly after we did. They went to the beach and the Muskteers went to Floyds for a "Last Meal". We will be going our separate ways soon. It's been fun guys. See you soon.

And the barge guy says, "Let's pick up the sand here, take it outside the inlet, and let it wash back in here!" That's job security!

It's before 10:00 am and the beach is already getting full.!

There are horses on the beach.

And there are peoples on the beach!

Dinghy 101

Travis, getting his fishing gear ready

Taking off.

We will be riding back to Mt Airy with Travis and Sarah. We'll spend time with our family and friends, then see what else the summer has to offer!

I won't be posting as much this summer, but I'll try and post something at least monthly. Even if its just sunset pictures. And posts about our guests this summer.

This is a panoramic of the beach at Shackelford Banks. Its wall-to-wall boat and people.