Left Morehead at first light and headed down the Bogue Sound. It is so great to have Austin with us on many levels but just for basic practicality. It is great to have him help David with the departure while I am getting ship shape down below. It allows a level of multitasking that was not possible with two.
We planned a long day with the idea of a shorter day tomorrow to get to Wrightsville Beach, eat at Ellen’s dockside restaurant and have easy access for Austin to rent a car tomorrow and drive back to Durham and then on to Charlottesville. We had a back up plan to anchor at Mile Hammock Bay if an early stop was desired. Sunny and dry.
All day, a pan pan on the radio about a 43 ft vessel overdue in Nc from Va. Hoping all is well.
Passed Emerald Isle and other beaches that we have travelled to by land. Houses on the west side of Bogue Sound, marsh and beach on the east side unless the barrier island widens enough for houses there too. At some places, could see across the sand to the ocean. It must come right over in storms.
There are wonderful new ideas a new person brings to the journey. Austin set up a time lapse video with his phone secured to the stanchion as we waited and then proceeded through the Onslow Bridge. We had to do a donut right before our passing which was great in the video because you can see the sailing vessel Pickle who followed us most of the day yesterday.
His next idea was a slow motion dolphin breach, much more difficult. No one got this one today. No one got the slow motion pelican dive either. Also suggested a silicone pot strainer and mastered the one cup coffee with the pot filter positioned carefully over the yeti cup. Systems improvements.
We passed Mile Hammock and decided to proceed to a more unknown anchorage at Sloop Point near Topsail Beach. As we entered the surf city area, we saw motorized hangliders. They were being very adventurous, dropping down to touch the water with their feet. They came very close to us, a little too close at times for our liking with mast and rigging.
It was nearing sunset as we approached our unknown anchorage with no other boats there. A green buoy seemed to be missing but we slid into a deep spot just off the channel. Dolphins fished across from us. Our swinging will be determined by current as there is no wind.
Jambalaya, Austin strumming guitar during dinner preparation, Chauncey, my best game ever!