Washington NC

We have never traveled to any of the small towns off the AICW so when we looked at places to go the town of Washington, NC looked very interesting. We left the Neuse River and turned up the Pamlico River- I thought we had measured out the distance but we didn't realize it was an additional 30 miles off the ICW- but we had some added motivation to get there! The winds continued to pick up as we went up the river- but fortunately they were following seas. We followed a 42' Nordic Tug through the railroad bridge and we heard him calling in to the marina that he had a reservation for the next three nights. The dock attendants knew nothing about his arrival (but then again they didn't know about us even though I had made the reservation earlier in the week!) The tricky part of the tug docking is he was single handling and hadn't set up any lines or fenders so he needed them to basically "catch" his boat. They asked him to circle around the harbor and at least put on a mid-line they could grab. We stayed back as they definitely had their hands full! Well, they were unable to get him into a slip so they put him on the same tee head that we were supposed to be put on (by ourselves). Needless to say, there wasn't a lot of room left for us- so from our gate back we were basically hanging over the end of the dock! They assured me that it would be fine because none of the other boats in the slips ever leave! Oh well, we were safely tied to the docks anticipating when the now Tropical Storm Bonnie was supposed to hit!

In the morning, we took a walk around the small town and sadly we found it to be like a lot of the small southern towns we had visited.A lot of the store fronts were closed and not a lot of places in town for people to live. But the people were so very friendly- no one passed us without saying Good Morning! What a nice change from some of the places we visited in Florida! We found a Nature Preserve where there were a ton of cool box turtles and even some larger terrapins lived. They had planted a lot of water lily's and it was so cool to see the turtles sunning themselves on the pads. The preserve was a large part of the waterfront and the boardwalk was awesome!

Our motivation to get to Washington was we were finally going to get to see our son Ben-who was going to drive down from PA the next day. Our credit card had been hacked for the fourth time (second time since starting the Loop) and Ben thought it was important to get them to us! Now the practical mother thought it was not such a great idea as he would have to drive 8 hours just to spend the afternoon (and I ALWAYS worry when he is driving)- but the true mom in me was thrilled! I didn't realize how very much I had missed Ben until I actually got to lay eyes on him. He brought my "grandpuppy" Titan with him. While it was "nice" to see Ttian, it added another "layer" of excitement on the boat. Just picture a 70 pound, three year old "puppy" getting out of a truck after 8 hours of travel and getting to go into a very small, confined space of the boat. It certainly was amusing- from Titan trying to jump off the boat to get to Ben, knocking our step into the water, and leaping from the table to the chair trying to look out both sides of the boat- we were all kind of exhausted. For that reason and not knowing how Titan would be by himself- I got to have Ben all to myself over lunch! Dave said that Titan "eventually" calmed down- well sort of! All in all- while it was a "getaway" for Ben- my heart was smiling big again! Ben drove "home" to Maryland from here- another 5 hours! He made great time and I hardly even worried at all- okay just a little!

The New Bern bridge at daybreak as we were waiting for it to open

We fly our AGLCA burgee proudly!

Sunset in Washington, NC

Yay, Ben and Titan are here! You can see how excited Titan was to get out of that truck!

Yes, he would even leap up on the freezer box on the bridge. Titan is an amazing athlete!

One of the older terrapins in the preserve

Charter sailboat that goes out 3 times a day from Washington Harbor

Same charter sailboat coming in from their sunset cruise

Turtle Motel

Oriental, New Bern

We had never had the opportunity to stay on the free dock at Oriental so I was excited but at the same time nervous. For those of you who know me well- you know I always go with the sure thing. I do so much better with reservations made in advance and then confirmed. The free dock is first come first serve- so I was just a wee bit anxious about just showing up and hoping for space. We left the anchorage early as I "knew" this would increase our odds to get on the dock. It was a quiet ride past Beaufort and Morehead City. The ICW is interesting on this segment because there were always houses and marinas to check out. The cool thing about Oriental is they have a town web cam that actually focuses on the dock so you can check ahead of time. Hah! This was so cool- I checked it frequently on the way (probably one of the reasons we ran over on our data plan for the first time ever!) 

When we started crossing the Neuse River, the waves started to pick up but weren't terrible. Getting ready to turn to the town docks, Dave said he could see two sailboat masts already at the one free dock- increasing anxiety here- especially since I knew there would be no one on the dock (if there was space) to grab my lines and pull FRYEDAZE in safely. We went around four huge shrimp boats and alas there was space for us and pilings that I knew I could put my lines around! Life was good! After safely tying to the dock as far up as we could in case another boater came in needing space we were fortunate to meet new to us Loopers on a 27'Ranger Tug. They are doing the Loop the right way- this is year four for them! We talked to them for quite awhile and then we took off to find lunch. We went to M&Ms for lunch and then to check out Dave's new obsession- marine consignments stores. I walked through with him but the smell of mold was so terrible that I went outside and waited. He scored again! Remember the Raymarine autohelm remote he got at the last consignment store? Well this time he found the wire harness he needed to wire it up! The golden horseshoe continues! Afterwards, we walked the beautiful, quiet streets of Oriental and went for my new obsession- iced coffee- from the Bean. What a great little spot- lots of locals and tourists. My favorite part was the espresso ice cubes! When they melted you still had lots of coffee flavor AND they had a discount that the second one was half price. I couldn't resist!

The next day we weren't going far- just down the Neuse River to New Bern to visit with our friends Jeff and Lisa Noyes. We were excited to see them both and revist one of our favorite towns! Jeff came to the boat with my favorite boat dog EVER- Sophie, almost as soon as we were settled in and told us he would be back by 4:00 to pick us up to take us to their house for dinner. We had a wonderful evening catching up and enjoying a wonderful meal of shrimp and zoodles. Never having had them, I am now a confirmed Spiralizer girl and cannot wait to order the table top model for at home (think it might be too big for on the boat!) Thank you for letting me help prepare the meal and learn how to use it Lisa! Jeff and Lisa were such wonderful hosts that they insisted we take their car back to the marina so that we could grocery shop in the morning. 

After getting to visit with Jeff one last time (no Sophie...), we walked around New Bern and had a wonderful lunch. I chose the restaurant Beer Army off of Yelp because of the revues of their jalapeno poppers which are stuffed with cream and cheddar cheese, wrapped in bacon and pan fried. Perfect low carb meal! We also got to see a little of the Spelling Bee Championship- those kids were awesome! 

We were sad that we only were staying in New Bern for two nights, but we knew that there was a tropical storm brewing and we wanted to go to Washington, NC- another new stop for us and an 84 mile run up the Pamlico River! 

Leaving the Cape Lookout Bight in the early morning for the run to Oriental

Lots and lots of dolphins as we traveled the ICW. I told Dave I hope they were headed to the Chesapeake Bay!

We really love the town of Oriental, NC after visiting here three times!

Yes, this is a very small part of the consignment shop. I made it through the aisles and then beat feet out of there! Yuck- the smell!

Dave spotted this Harrier jet getting ready to land at the Cherry Point Marine base.

Bascule bridge going into New Bern (it got stuck in the open position after we went through!)

Mornings were cooler than we had been used to!

This was an "unusual" art piece in the little nature pond beside The Bean

I love these things- the "tiny" libraries that we have seen along the way!

After dinner picture with our friends- Jeff and Lisa and of course Princess Sophie- have I mentioned how much I love her? (even got kisses!)

Pepsi-Cola was invented at a pharmacy in New Bern

Captain Dave with Wilson the Bear in front of the absolute best hardware store we have ever been in! If Wilson's doesn't have it you don't need it! New Bern's mascot is the bear and there are different ones throughout the city. We will be back!

Camp Lejeune Mile Hammock, Cape Lookout Bight

We had a wonderful visit with our friends Tim and Muffin. It is always nice to just "fall back" into step with people that you may have lost touch with but your friendship is able to just pick back up whenever you get together! We look forward to stopping at Carolina Beach next Fall to visit them and see their beautiful new house completed!

We timed leaving Wrightsville Beach with the 0800 bridge opening. We came through with several sailboats and power boats that we would zigzag around throughout the day and were happy to see them pull into the same anchorage. 

When you are preparing for the Loop  you read all sorts of reference books and other Looper blogs- that's why I was so excited to be anchoring in Mile Hammock Bay right in the middle of Camp Lejeune Marine base. When we traveled to Surf City/Topsail Island for vacation we would go on the outskirts of Lejeune so it was exciting getting to stay right near the base. We were the first boat to come into the anchorage but by the end of the day there were 5 sailboats, 2 Camano's, and our friends Sonny and Phyllis on their Ocean Alexander (Dave's dream boat). Skipper Bob (guidebook) said there is room in the anchorage for 20 boats. While I believe 20 "smaller" boats could fit in there comfortably- I am not sure many bigger boats would have had the swing room needed for the direction change with the tide. We loved everything about the anchorage- anchor bit the very first time, got to watch Marine's fish and kayak, had a great grilled meal and just a very peaceful place. We talked to Sonny and he told us that he had called and there was live fire across the AICW planned to commence at 0900, so we were all going to get up early and get through the Onslow Swing Bridge before it was closed to traffic. Sonny thought the bridge did not open until 0700, but as soon as we got there the bridge tender started the opening process. There were two sailboats and a catamaran ahead of us and the bridge tender stated that he would allow boats to come through the bridge before it was completely opened. Most bridges, sailboats must wait until bridge is fully opened. Dave inched his way to the front so that he wouldn't have to call each of the boats to ask permission for a slow pass once through the bridge. Once he called the last sailboat and got their permission to come up- he "assumed" that the other sailboats had heard his request. Well we are thinking the the catamaran didn't hear the request and as soon as Dave went through the bridge first, a "how rude!" came across the working channel. Dave then explained to him his theory about easier to move forward now rather than later. I think we probably got lots of hot tea looks and even a "Bless your heart" from the catamaran! 

After that our trip was non-eventful and we left the catamaran and others in the dust- as far as 9 mph can leave you in the dust. We came to a particularly tricky section and I am sure that they appreciated watching Dave jockey around the markers so they knew what exact path to take- so hopefully he was forgiven!

On our trip through Lejeune was exciting. We had three Navy boats pass us at a pretty considerable rate. They were going to block the other end of the live firing area so no boats would come through after 0900. One boat that passed us was broken down further up with white smoke billowing from their port engine. Under normal conditions we would have stopped and offered assistance, but I don't think they wanted us to approach. I loved it that all three boats had guys and girls aboard. We saw targets and pretend targets  (dummy's) on both sides going north. We heard bombings going on in the area and we actually felt the concussions in our chest- I cannot even fathom what real combat was like. We are so very grateful for those who served and gave their lives for our freedoms- and those feelings were palpable going through the base. 

The rest of the cruise day was anti-climatic after our trip through Lejeune. We recognized Morehead City and Beaufort (BO-fort), as well as Emerald Isle as we made our way out to Cape Lookout National Seashore. It was a little rough after leaving the inlet- but not terrible at all. The winds did pick up as the afternoon went on- and we should have picked the anchorage closest to the beach for a little more protection but we were beside the old Coast Guard Station Dock. It got to be pretty wavy and we decided not to put the dinghy down to go exploring as we would have been soaked! We know that we will definitely be back here to explore later!

Wrightsville Bridge headed to Mile Hammock Anchorage

Mile Hammock Anchorage at Camp Lejeune

Fellow Looper Sonny and Phyllis on Corkscrew- beautiful Ocean Alexander

Camano trawler at the end of the rainbow

Throughout our trip we have seen some strange things on land- this one wasn't too bad but his next door neighbor's-well let's just say it was different!

Neighbor's King Neptune

So many different kinds of bridges! This is the Surf City Swing Bridge that only opened on the hour. It gave us the opportunity to look around and see familiar sights!

Sunset at Mile Hammock Anchorage

"Dawn Patrol"- sunrise as we were leaving at 0555!

The flotilla from Mile Hammock is headed for the Onslow Beach Bridge. You have to get through before they shut the AICW down for "LIVE FIRE" exercises. 

Onslow Beach Bridge

I almost captured the shot of this dolphin several feet out of the water. The height of the splash shows just how big he was and how high he got.

Some of the targets

If these lights are flashing- DON'T GO!

We saw this American Flag just sticking in the water- unusual crab float or shallow warning?

We saw several Osprey in the Camp Lejeune area

Coast Guard Station near Fort Macon on the way to Cape Lookout Bight

Cape Lookout National Seashore. You have to come by boat to reach the island

Cape Lookout Lighthouse

The starboard outboard was smoking on the patrol boat. We decided not to stop and help, live fire you know :-)

A view of a bridge from the bridge. That is boat humor!

This is the American Spirit AICW cruise ship. Our paths have crossed several times in the last few weeks. Pretty cool that the ship was built in Salisbury MD. I know you don't believe it. Look it up on the link.

Entering Cape Lookout Bight. Time for a little fishing boat dodge-um. They were anchored in the channel.

Old Coast Guard Station

 The clouds gave us a show at sunset. It looked like a storm was about to hit but then just blew over.