Jonaquin Creek, NC; April 16, 2011

Link to anchorage North of Morehead City, NC via Google Maps

Winding entrance to our secluded anchorage that will offer good protection to the predicted windy storm warning.

This bridge also had a short railroad bridge right next to it.

Big ship in one of NC deep water ports

Bogue Sound is narrow and long. It was choppy today with gusty winds. 

Pelican diving for a fish

After Bogue Sound, you travel through pretty rivers and creeks.

We haven't seen any ducks, could this be a nest?

There are many different types of gulls to identify

Spooner Creek just off Bogue Sound, NC; April 15, 2011

Link to anchorage in Spooner Creek, NC via Google Maps

Not our typical anchorage,

but good protection from the wind.

Camp LeJeune from the ICW

Lots of live firing going on, but not in this section

Looks like a target that didn't get away

Smoke in the distance where artillery sounds were coming from

Inlets to the ocean

Dolphins off the bow

Kids must have been on a school field trip 

Mile Hammock Bay - Camp LeJeune, NC;April 14, 2011

Link to anchorage in Mile Hammock Bay - Camp LeJeune, NC via Google Maps

Helicopters and other aircraft overhead - bombs heard in the distance

Yep; we are anchored in a Bay at Camp LeJeune

We had a half hour to wait for this swing bridge that opens on the hour

We watched this osprey couple take turns on the nest

 while we waited for the bridge to open

Several boats were waiting for the opening

It was interesting watching people rake for clams.

This was a huge dredging operation that took up the whole channel

they led you through on the radio

Wow! they even have their own lighthouse!

Futch Creek, NC; April 13, 2011

Link to anchorage North of Wilmington, NC via Google Maps

We are peacefully anchored 31 river miles north of Wilmington, NC on Futch Creek.

We always see interesting things.

Passed this tub right after we got started this morning

The tug must have been waiting for this tanker that was just a few miles away - it was from Panama

Crab pot boat putting out the traps

Digging for clams

i gotta try this - really looks like fun

Not so sure about this

Could this be the wild North Carolina giraffe? 

Pretty sand and shore at the ocean opening

Feels great to be back on the water.

Charlotte, NC; April 8 - 9 - 10, 2011

ROAD TRIP

We had the chance to see one of our kids, so we drove to Charlotte for the weekend.

Beautiful motel -  had a huge suite - everything was at least twice the size of Lollugag

except Kevin's room - who got there late

Excitement on land when men try to cook

Our hero 

All clear - quick thinking on the captain's part to take the computer with the nautical charts

Back to relaxing

Then there was a tornado warning

and softball size hail

A very exciting road trip and well worth it to see one of the kids.