I covered just under 100 miles. When I started planning this, I felt I needed an adventure. I think I've had one. 5 days on the water and my need has been satisfied. I've planned this all the way to Beaufort so if I get the urge again, Jenny can drop me off here and I can put in another 5 days. Maybe next year. I'm calling this pic 'what a difference a day makes'.
There was a famous Seinfeld episode called "I'm out". I got up early so that the tide would give me a push. It worked perfectly. For 2 miles. The incoming tide started coming in from somewhere else apparently. The strong south wind plus the tide really slowed me down. There is a cut that connects the ICW to the Cape Fear river. When I got to it the water flow reminded me of the Colorado River in The Grand Canyon. I was able to creep along close to shore. The cut is only 2 miles long. It took me 2 hours. I got a look at the Cape Fear river and it was a maelstrom. Time to reconsider. Carolina Beach State Park runs alongside the cut. After a brief soul search I bailed out. With the help of a Park Ranger and his pickup truck I am comfortably ensconced in the park campground. After a lengthy discussion with my team captain we have decided, I'm done. Jenny will drive up here tomorrow morning and rescue her wayward husband. Truthfully, I'm relieved. There is nothing at stake so bailing out now make sense. Right now I'm sitting on a small pier on the bank of the river and my hat just blew off.
The weather has warmed up but a south wind is the cause and the wind has been blowing in my face all day. It combined with the tide this afternoon and it got to the point that the effort I was expending wasn't worth the measly distance I was covering so I quit. I'm at mile 288. That's 2 miles short of the very conservative goal I had. Sad but true. I'm on another island camped behind a clump of trees that I'm using at a wind break. I took a few pics of the camp.
Got going pretty early this morning with the help of Paula and Ed. It was 28 degrees so I was pretty bundled up. I had a good layover in Sneads Ferry. I was well fed and watered (bourboned). Paula made me a picnic lunch that I ate near the swing bridge (they'll understand) those cookies were a nice touch Paula. Thanks to both of you for taking care of me. I think I did about 23 miles today and I'm camped on another island. Tonight will be below freezing but warmer weather is forecast.
I am back in Sneads Ferry. Last night was pretty cold. I was wearing so many clothes I'm pretty sure I looked like an old Pillsbury Dough Boy. I have decided to stay here 2 nights. Tomorrow's weather forecast doesn't look too good and Jenny has suggested I get back on the water when things improve. I didn't need much convincing. Paula has been hydrating me with bourbon.
That's the Atlantic intercoastal waterway. It starts in the Chesapeake Bay and ends in Miami. Jenny got me launched near mile 205. I'm camped on an island near 225. The hotel we were staying in didn't start their breakfast service until 7:30 so we got going after that. My camp is near Camp Lejeune and I have been entertained by helicopter flybys and the "Thump, thump of artillery practice. It's going to be cold tonight. 27 is the forecast low. I'll sleep warm but it will be a chilly start.
The hurricane that blew through Beaufort (NC) today seems to be offshore. The bad news is that the local butcher will be able to hang his meat outdoors tomorrow. We drove around some after we got here and found a boat ramp I will probably use for the start of my trip. We like this little town. We'd like it more if it was a little warmer.
Our reason for visiting Sneads Ferry is 2 fold. Paula and Ed live here and we are visiting and I am about to start a kayak trip on the Atlantic intercoastal waterway. The original plan was to paddle from Beaufort NC to Beaufort SC. 365 Miles. I still might do that but Jenny needs to be in SA in under 3 weeks and I probably can't make it before she leaves. So I might take out in Charleston. 285 miles. Of course I might just quit anywhere, it is February. I won't get on the water for a couple of days. Tomorrow we drive to Beaufort (pronounced Bo-fort in North Carolina.
