We had really hoped to get some more good weather, jump out in the ocean and end at Beaufort, NC. The good weather did not happen. Plodding up the intercoastal waterway becomes our fate. This morning we awoke with first light, to a balmy 48°. I'm not sure about you, but after becoming accustomed to the 80° temperatures of the Bahamas this is just plain cold. I would have preferred to stay in bed for another hour or two, hoping it would warm up a but, but in 30 miles we will reach the Atlantic Beach Bridge. On our way down the intercoastal, we saw 62 ft clearance at this bridge and had to wait an entire day to go under during a low tide. Hopefully we make it there today while the tide is still low enough to give us the 63 foot clearance we need.
The trip north is much different from our trip south. On the way south, everything was new to us, the boat, the intercoastal, bridges, and shallows. Everyday I would spend hours reading several different guides and studying the charts to prepare for each days journey. During the trip I stayed in the cockpit reading the charts, pointing out marks and navigating for IB. The days were shorter and we weren't sure how far we could push the boat in a day, so we planned 30 mile days. On this trip, I've left IB on his own. I toss him the chartbook, pop my head out occasionally to offer him a hot beverage, food, or more warm clothes. There are still shallows to contend with, we've run aground 3 times, but always motor right off. Besides, we are in the protected inland waters, in event we can't get off a grounding we just call Tow Boat US and take advantage of their unlimited towing. It now feels like quite a luxury knowing that we are not left to our own devices if we make a mistake. Planning 60 mile days, we expect to hit Norfolk on Tuesday.
I'd post a picture, but it's too cold to go out and take one.
No comments:
Post a Comment