Carolina's

 We had an easy trip across the Arbemarle Sound with no more incidence, either with the boat or the cat.  Over the next three days, we stopped over night at an anchorage in the Alligator River, at a marina in Belhaven and even had a great day of weather and easy winds to cross over the Neuse River.  The Neuse River is known for becoming very uncomfortable as high winds can quickly build choppy rough seas, we know this all too well as we have experienced it on previous trips.

Just as we were at the mouth of Adams creek on the eastern shore of the Neuse River and only a couple of miles from our planned anchorage, the engine, once again, spuddered and died.  We quickly dropped anchor and IB went below decks to investigate. An hour later he came back up to the cockpit, IbGueyver got the engine running and we made it the short distance to our anchorage.  I have no idea what he really did, although I’m quite certain it was something only IB or MacGuyver could pull off.  I certainly did not ask any questions when we had to turn off the generator, that wasn’t actually running, once we were safely anchored for the night!

The following day we limped into Beaufort City docks where Craig from EMD met up with us to polish our fuel and tanks. Apparently while the boat sat neglected for three years microbes were growning and creating sludge in the diesel tanks. While the boat was being tended to, Lyra and I took a walk around town. Later that evening we headed over to Backstreet Pub, a local gem of a watering hole.  Known as dog friendly pub, Lyra felt right at home on a bar stool.

The following day with our fuel and engine troubles behind us, we managed one easy day to an achorage. The following day would be our second call to TowBoat US.

The ocean inlets along the ICW are well known for shifting sand and shallows caused by the tides and strong currents.  The New River Inlet crossing is no exception, and known as one of the worst.  I had found some coordinates online that were supposed to have marked a deeper water route, but when not followed exactly we ended up hard aground in the middle of the ICW.  We thought we would just need towed through the inlet crossing and then be on our way again, but during the hour wait for TowBoat US, and the captain’s determined attempts to fix the situation, our impeller was destroyed.  Although the engine would still run it would no longer pick up cooling water.  We ended up towed to Harbour Village Marina.  While the captain was replacing the impeller, I took advantage of the time and made a hatch cover for our forward hatch.  I have forgotten to mention when we finally took our dingy off the deck and it rained we discovered that the forward hatch leaks. When I say ‘leak’ I don’t mean a few droplets. I was once again, very greatful for the water resistant comforter on the bed! Every few years we have to replace the rubber seal around the hatch to eliminate any leaks, but unfortnately that was not the case this time as the window was coming unseated from the frame, being a much bigger repair than we had the time (or materials) for I simply made a “band-aid” for it.  There was even time left in the day to take Lyra off the boat for a walk around the marina.

The next day, having our recent problems fixed again, we got a break in the weather and were able to go to sea at Masonboro and sail overnight to Charleston, SC.

Sunset on the Alligator River 

Watching them work on the fuel tanks at Beaufort NC

Lyra getting in some good bar stool time.  She only looks unhappy because she does not like the flash.

Lyra found a good tree to climb while walking in the park.

Off watch during the overnight passage at sea.

Passport at sea, heading south.