Journeys of Soteria: A Challenging Start and Calm Finish of the Day

We didn't make it to Carolina Beach, but Wrightsville Beach. Found out later that day we should have gone the 10 miles further to get the right tides for Cape Fear River on Monday. However, let me get back to yesterday am: We started out from Mile Hammond Bay early again, just after the fog (supposedly) lifted. Found out it socked in the ICW for miles. So thanks to God and the chartplotter and GPS, we were able to make our way to Wrightsville Beach. Three bridges had to open and we managed to get through two right on time. The last one we had to wait about 10 minutes. But by that time several more sailboats and cruisers arrived, making for interesting position jockeying. And don't forget the weekend fishermen who "own" the waterway!

"Nuff said, we left later (7:30) after an evening of rocking and rolling at Wrightsville from all the weekend boaters. Winds were calm and it was WARMER! Didn't need the foul weather gear and 4 layers of other jackets underneath. We made such great time, we decided to go to Southport. Worked out great! We heard stories that would curl the hair on Popeye and wasn't sure what to expect. We hit the Cape Fear River 2 hours before high tide, had a slight drop in speed and still made it to Southport by noon. It was jsut like the Mississippi River at high water, only a little larger and more channel markers.

So we will check the weather and see if we are staying here another night as thunderstorms could be moving in.

Enjoy the photos!