Sept 2, 2022 Mile Hammock Bay and on to Beaufort, NC

Thurs Sept 1

We finally have some cruising company and overnight guest. My brother Pete will be cruising with us for the next 2 days. Picked him up at the dinghy dock at 8:30. He had picked up some awesome biscuits for breakfast. After consuming them we got the dinghy secured on the top deck and set off for Mile Hammock Bay anchorage. Nice cruising day. A bit warm but we're running from up on the flybridge and making our own breeze. Overcast so no bright sun beating down on us.

Pete and John enjoying the view from the flybridge

The scenery is mostly salt marshes on our starboard to the beach side and houses with docks to our port on the landward side. Unfortunately, we missed the Wrightsville Beach bridge opening by a few minutes and since it only opens on the hour, we had a bit of a wait. Rather than idle and hold position we tied up at the Dockside Bar and ordered an appetizer and sodas to justify using their dock. Back on the boat after our 45-minute delay and right through without issue. Then a quick shot down the ICW to catch the Figure Eight bridge opening 1/2 hour later. Bridge height board was showing 21' clearance but with our height at 21-1/2' to the top of the anchor light we figured best not to try it. The remainder of the trip was pretty uneventful. A few stretches of skinny water but thankfully we were riding an incoming tide most of the day. Got anchored at Mile Hammock Bay at 3:45. We have used this anchorage during normal transient seasons, and it's always been full with 12-15 boats. It feels a bit odd to be sitting here by ourselves. After a nice italian dinner on board we were delighted with another gorgeous sunset,

A nice sunset ....

...turns into a spectacular one!! Can't believe I forgot to blow my conch horn!!!

Journey for Sept 1

Fri Sept 2

We remained the only boat at anchor in Mile Hammock Bay. Heard a few ordinances being discharged at Camp Lejeune but all done before dark. Odd feeling being alone there, but very tranquil. Only about a 5-hour run today to Beaufort so no need for a super early departure. Had a nice breakfast of coffee, eggs and bagels to hold us over for the day and finally raised anchor at 9:30 which gave us perfect timing for the 10AM opening at the Onslow Beach bridge. Headed through the firing range at Camp Lejeune - thankfully no live firing going on today which would have required the closing of the ICW while in progress. Pete took a nice long turn at the helm and despite traveling through a few skinny sections succeeded in avoiding any groundings. Good job!!

Scenery passing through Camp Lejeune

Pete takes a turn at the helm

Long stretch of what looks like very open water going through Bogue Sound but it's all very shallow except the channel. Made it to Beaufort by 2:30 so had time to try out a flight at Fishhouse Brewing Company before our nephew Logan arrived to pick up Pete for his land-based return to Carolins Beach. We had a nice late dinner at Queen Anns Revenge with an outside table overlooking the water where we got yet another colorful sunset.