Monday October 22: Swansboro, NC

 Did I actually make the statement that there wasn't much of our stuff left at Matt and Wendy's place? What a foolish statement! We hardly had room for Fozzi in the car ...

So yesterday morning we packed up our remaining stuff into the car and headed off to Matthew's Marina. It was a cool day with a bit of wind but the sun was out - looked like a good day to start our first travel in a while.

On the way to the marina, we have passed this sign daily. It is amazing to me that someone would really think a sign asking for the return of a wagon would be very effective but who knows? Maybe it will make the person who took it feel guilty or something!

Wendy was up for a boat ride for part of the way so Steve volunteered to meet us about 2 hours down the waterway.

Fozzi finally proved to be of value by helping Steve pull the cart with our stuff out to the boat. He (Fozzi) is always happy to be included in an outing especially in a new place where he can walk around and investigate everything.

I finally had a chance to peek at the boater's lounge here at the marina (the peaked building to the left of Steve's head). It's quite nice with a large porch overlooking the small inlet off of the river.

 After stowing all of the gear and putting the refrigerated stuff in the fridge, Wendy and I left Matthew's Marina bound for Morehead City. Steve and Fozzi watched as we pulled out of the dock.

It was windy this morning on the Neuse River but it had actually died down by the time we were ready to leave - which was nice as part of the trip had us broadside to the waves.

Two hours later, Wendy jumped off and Steve jumped on. A perfect pass off! Wendy was headed back home for a little while before she went on to New Bern to pick Matt up from the airport. He was getting home from his trip early so that was nice.

Wow - first time home alone in a few weeks for them! They will probably want us to come back to keep them company :-)

Finally, a sunset at someplace new! It was really good to be back on the water and traveling again even if it was only 28 miles .....

We actually drove to Morehead City a number of time in the last few weeks from Matt and Wendy's. It's the closest place to find Lowe's, Best Buy and other big box stores. Plus there is a Harris Teeter grocery store - one of the best chains in this area of the country!

We were up fairly early this morning but the current wasn't going to change and be going our way until about 11 so we headed out for a walk to the breakfast place we knew was only a couple of blocks away.

The store next door to the restaurant had cute 'doggie docks' complete with cleats on which you can hook your dog's leash. Quite fun!

Part of our ongoing project of cleaning up the electrical issues on the boat was to install a galvanic isolator. Essentially this serves to separate our boat's ground wire from anyone else that happens to be plugged into shore power.

More phone calls to the folks from whom we purchased our reference electrode to make sure we understood what needed to be completed and YEA we were good to go!!! No more stray current for us! I know it doesn't seem like a big deal but having stray currents running through the boat is likely what caused the shaft to get eaten away. Don't need to have that happen again ......

The dolphins are back! We saw a couple yesterday but today they were really around - and following in our wake. Just swimming alongside and playing. They are such fun to see!

Steve, of course, is always trying to entice them to stay near the boat.

He stands on the side of the boat and waves at the dolphins that are swimming alongside. It's crazy but they will actually turn and look up at him. I don't know if you can see in this picture but the dolphin is swimming on his side. Look close and you'll see his eye! (To see a larger view, click once on the picture - now right click and choose "open image in new tab". Now click on that tab (top of the screen) to see the picture.)

It was a really nice day - calm water, low winds, lots of sun.  Sandy islands near the waterway. Looks like paradise to me :-)

Tomorrow will be a 60 mile day to Wrightsville Beach. Plus the added challenge of trying to time 3 bridges - two of which open only on the hour and the other on the hour and half hour. I see some wait time in our future ...