Shaking Off the Fog

Supply to Wrightsville Beach |  4.6 Hours  |  35 Miles 

A dense fog greeted us this morning and delayed our departure time. We could see the boat behind us on the dock, but not much further. It was also difficult to see across the ICW. I checked the weather to see when it might clear and found out that we were also under a high pollen advisory. Welcome back to spring in North Carolina. I took advantage of the extra time and did a little yoga stretch in the hallway. I have been very diligent about stretching during our trip, right up to the point where we began rushing back home. I was very thankful for an extra two hours and the opportunity to work out some of the kinks that have set in over the last nine days onboard. I wiped down Crossroads with the chamois, removing salt spray and some more Fuzzy Bill stains. A local pelican came over to check us out. 

When visibility improved a bit, we cast off. For an hour it took both of us to keep a look out for other boat traffic. At the next level of clearing, I went outside to clean up the docklines and fenders. While doing so, I discovered another fish that had found its final resting place in our scupper drain -- three days ago. I gave it a proper burial at sea. As we neared the Cape Fear River, the nondescript Oak Island Lighthouse was still hiding behind some fog to the east. Its beacon was shining bright. To the west, the sun lit up the town of Southport's water tower, a church steeple and flag pole.

An interesting brick furnace seemed out of place along the river's edge. We got a great push from the current and zipped up the Cape Fear at 9.5 knots. It was another busy day on the water. In a new twist, a sea plane was practicing touch-and-gos near the inlet. Further in, the Tarheel Navy was parading in full force.

A quick passage through Stone's Cut put us into the mayhem of ICW. As you can see "social distancing" and "stay at home" were both merely suggestions. The beaches looked like those on Memorial Day weekend. The Wrightsville Beach water tower peeked over the horizon and we tracked toward it and found a spot in the anchorage for the evening. With a short travel day of only 35 miles, we even had a few afternoon hours to relax and check in with family and friends -- helping to clear our brain fog.