Cold To The Core

Swansboro, NC
34 38.98 N 077 05.99 W

Yesterday's decision to stay on the inside is going to cost us a week or more of motoring on the ICW. Nevertheless, it was the right choice. Last night it was bitterly cold. When Libby and I finished anchoring for the night just before dark, we were both chilled to the core. To have put out to sea in an open cockpit would have been folly. Boats with enclosed cockpits have a big advantage in circumstances like that.

Tonight the winds are favorable again skies will be clear and it'll be even colder. We might even have ice on the decks in the morning. Brrrr. Not the time to be out to sea.

This morning, we set off at first light from Spooner's Creek where we spent the night. Anyhow, we tried to set off. Another sailboat left just ahead of us and that boat ran aground in the exit channel and blocked it. We had to wait a half hour for them to free themselves. Then, as the morning progressed the sun came out and warmed us up. It felt good. I checked the charts and the tide tables. Uh oh. Ahead is a stretch of the ICW near Camp LeJune that is posted with a caution. Do not attempt to pass this spot at low tide. My calculations would have put us there close to low tide; too close. Therefore, we stopped here at Swansboro at 11AM making it a short day.

Libby and I both elected to take a walk. I went to the Piggly Wiggly to buy some bagels. Libby went to find a present for our granddaughter Vicky. Poor Vicky is recuperating today from an emergency appendectomy yesterday. It must run in the family, her brother Nick had an emergency appendectomy too some years ago.

So we missed our window. Last year I wrote a blog called Passa På where I idolized the rule for sailors. When a window opens up, take it. Farmers say, make hay while the sun shines. This year, we did the opposite. I have no regrets though. We had so much fun last week that it was well worth it; no regrets.