Swansboro Hammock bay Wrightsville Beach

The trip from Beaufort to Swansboro was uneventful.  We sailed towards the bridge, aiming to arrive in time for the scheduled crossing. 

Swansboro was a small residential town.  We stayed at the city docks.  Their computers were not working, and it seems we were not charged for the docks. 

A crazy local

Dave, a fan of Wally, bought pizza for everyone.  I went back to the boat and went to bed early.  The next morning, departure was challenging due to the current. We went to an anchorage at Hammock Bay.  A pleasant anchor. 

The next morning, we departed for a 33-mile ride to Wrightsville Beach for two nights.  Winds were strong, and tides were 4 feet, making anchoring in a crowded anchorage challenging.

I was going to refuel, but the winds were blowing me off the dock. 

After two attempts, I gave up and anchored at another location nearby.  I dinghy into town, but not much is happening after dark. 

The next day, we got together for lunch at Oceanic, and I walked on the beach back to my dinghy.  The others took the dinghy directly to Oceanic.

On my way back, I walked on a large beach and flew the drone.

Oriental To Beaufort NC

We were to leave at 9:30 for Beaufort.  I got up early enough to get a coffee from the Bean and visited the provisioning store beside the marina. 

Everyone had started their engine, so I started mine.  Nobody left, so I departed from the free dock and headed out slowly, eventually making my way towards Beaufort. 

The Aqua map, with its seamless integration with the US Corps of Engineers' USACE surveys, proved to be a reliable guide in Adam's Creek. 

Mark and I both found suitable anchorages, while the others opted for a dock at the city marina, showcasing our group's flexibility and adaptability. 

We had a meeting to discuss the upcoming closure of the Onslow bridge from November 4-7, 7 AM to 9 PM. 

All, updated schedule based on conversation with Wally's plan : 

Oct 31 and Nov 1: Beaufort 

Nov 2: Swansboro 

Nov 3: Mile Hammock Bay

Nov 4 and 5: Wrightsville Beach 

Nov 6 and 7: Southport 

We visited the Maritime Museum, took the London double-decker tour, and explored a couple of cemeteries.

We were thrilled to have a tour of a private Trumpy motor yacht called Freedom, a highlight of our trip. 

Belhaven - Dowery Creek Marina to Goose Creek - alone - Oriental

On Oct 29, I set off from Dowrey Creek Marina, ready for the adventure ahead.  Three days later, feeling the urge to explore further, I spontaneously decided to anchor outside the Marina with Mark, embracing the unpredictability of the journey. 

After anchoring outside the marina, I discovered Mark had departed for our next stop - Orient.  He reported nice winds, so I decided to leave too. 

Following Mark's lead by about two hours, we spent a blissful five hours basking in the beauty of the natural surroundings and the pleasant weather. Our journey led us to anchor at the serene Goose Creek  , a picturesque and isolated anchorage that treated us to another breathtaking starry night. 

The next morning, I watched the flotilla depart Dowrey Creek and head to my creek, joining them as they docked at Oriental. 

We had some beer on the marina lawn and supper at a nice little restaurant called M&M. I had the soft-shell crab. 

The next morning, I was up at 7 AM, ready for another day of adventure. I noticed a boat had left the free dock, and without hesitation, I swiftly maneuvered to secure the spot, showcasing my resourcefulness and quick decision-making. 

Later, I had the pleasure of walking with Kathy, exploring the town, visiting a West Marine Express, and doing a small grocery run at the Piggly Wiggly.  The highlight of the day was my birthday supper at the Silo, where I enjoyed good food, great music, and the company of friends like Wally, Nate, Robbie, and Esteban.