11/23/2011 STAYING PUT IN MOREHEAD CITY TO WEATHER OUT THE STORM

WEDNESDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 0 NM

DOCKED AT: PORTSIDE MARINA IN MOREHEAD CITY, NC ($1.22 /FT W/P OVERALL) THE SECOND NIGHT WAS DISCOUNTED AND THEY HAVE A FREE WASHER AND DRYER TOO

SUNRISE: 6:49 AM IN MOREHEAD CITY, NC        SUNSET: 4:58 PM

HIGH: 72                                                                       LOW: 55

Well, the wind started around midnight and reached its apex around 5:00 AM, ushering in a short but intense rain storm. Thankfully Dan had done a superb job securing Quest and we rode out the blow just fine. The clouds seemed to hover off in the distance all day but by early evening they were encroaching into our space. After dark the winds returned and began buffeting us from the north. No problem for us though as we had done our laundry in their free machines, done a walk about the waterfront, visited the hardware store and found a bakery for some treats.


T

DARK SKIES HOVER OVER THE MARINA WHILE
MR. PELICAN OVERSEES ALL

THE CLOUD COVER CREATES A SPECTACULARLY
COLORFUL EVENING AS THE SUN BEGINS IT DESCENT

                                                                                                                                                               The infamous pirate “Blackbeard” (Edward Teach) haunted these waters in his flagship Queen Anne’s Revenge. The remains of the ship were discovered in the waters just off Fort Macon State Park in 1996, substantiating the stories that it went aground near here.

Image via Wikipedia

BLACKBEARD HIMSELF

Morehead City was the dream of Governor Morehead who served the state from 1841 to 1845. He envisioned a commerce center at the intersecting Newport River and the Beaufort Inlet, complete with the requisite port and a railroad system to deliver goods. His hard work established this community that now is home to the Institute of Marine Science, the N.C. division of Marine Fisheries and the Ferry Division of the N.C. DOT. It is also a center for sport fishing, some light industry and tourism. The port serves both the commercial as well as the military community. Nearby Camp Lejeune, home to the Second Marine Division, has designated it as their port for embarkations and debarkations.

11/22/2011 ENJOYING THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM AS WE HEAD TO MOREHEAD CITY, NC

TUESDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 64 NM

DOCKED AT: ($1.50 /FT W/P OVERALL)

SUNRISE: 6:48 AM IN BELHAVEN      SUNSET: 4:58 PM IN MOREHEAD CITY, NC

HIGH: 73       LOW: 55




What’s this fog stuff?? Must be fall! We cast off by 7:15 and crept through the lifting shroud as we made our way from Dowry Creek into the Pungo River. The rising sun filtering through the clouds make a stunning sight.

THE RISING SUN, FILTERING THROUGH THE CLOUDS, REMINDS US OF THE
ASTOUNDING BEAUTY THAT "MOTHER NATURE" PAINTS FOR OUR BENEFIT

Again we were traveling in a caravan of boats heading south. Predictions for a blow tomorrow are lurking over everyone’s shoulders while each vessel strives to reach its “safe harbor” to ride out the gale. Chatter over the air indicates that some are heading for Oriental (we spent Easter there while heading north last spring) and others are pushing on to Beaufort or Morehead City.

We followed the ICW south from Belhaven, crossed the calm waters (lucky for us) of Pamlico River, worked our past Oriental and the Neuse River, entered the 7 mile Adams Creek Canal and finally crossed the Beaufort Inlet that led us to Morehead City. Along the way we saw evidence of Hurricane Irene’s presence last August where she picked up then dumped sailboats high-and dry on the shore. The classic lines of the shrimper, Capt. Cecil, captured our attention and admiration.

NOT THE FIRST "HIGH AND DRY" SAILBOAT WE HAVE SEEN
DUE TO HURRICANE IRENE IN AUGUST

SHRIMPER CAPT. CECIL

Denard and his crew met us on the dock at Portside Marina, assisted in securing Quest for tomorrows impending storm and complemented Dan on his boating skills. Once everyone was happy with the amount and positions of the many ropes and fenders, we cleaned up and headed to Floyd’s 1921 for a marvelous southern dinner of house specials, Shrimp and Grits along with their Fried Oyster and Andouille Sausage Gumbo. Simply scrumptious!

THIS JELLYFISH FLOATED BY TO WELCOME  US TO THE MARINA