Wrightsville Beach

In the late hours of the afternoon yesterday, the wind was wailing on us at Mile Hammock Bay, a place notorious for bad holding ground. Here comes our plug for the Manson Supreme anchor. The holding ground is soft silt, but the Manson burrowed through the silt and bit into a hard pan, confirmed this morning when we pulled up anchor and had to work to get the white hard pan off half of the anchor. Of course, you do not know this UNTIL you pull up anchor. Hold Fast raced back and forth on her tether for hours, same as the other boats at anchor. One boat could not keep a grip. At dusk they pulled up anchor and went looking for a better place. In route this morning, we saw them tied to the outside wall of a marina.

After sunset, Camp LeJeune became active with helicopters near our location. Myron guessed they were practicing night troop insertion because the helicopters were flying around without any lights on. It is always exciting stuff to us. Last night's weather report called for frost adversaries. We found out today there was a snow storm in New Jersey, severe enough for the governor to call for a state of emergency. Indeed, we were cold, until Myron fired up the coal stove.

Today was a much more pleasant day, still cool but much less wind. Our constant focus was about timing bridges. At one point we came to a crawl against a tidal current, putting the timing of the bridge opening in jeopardy. Then Myron realized the wind was just right for a jib to pull us against the tide. We were thrilled to gain it all back and make the bridge opening, but hey, we are easily entertained.

Now we are at anchor off of Wrightsville Beach, making preparations for a steak dinner. It would be nice to go offshore tomorrow. We shall see.

Love to all,
Dena

Posted via Ham radio.
{GMST}34|12.101|N|077|48.178|W|anchored at Wrightsville Beach|Wrightsville Beach{GEND}