On the way to Southport, NC - Thursday

We began our morning with a visit from a porpoise swimming by and a bevy of sea birds sunbathing on the sparkling white sand of Sugarloaf island. That was our view as we ate breakfast. Since the boat seems a little sluggish, Tom arranged for us to have it pulled out this morning – quite a trick to drive the boat into the narrow dock with the cross wind. When we got to inspect the bottom, we were amazed at the barnacle colony that had evolved on our propeller blades. I set up shop with my laptop, wireless card and cell phone and did a little work while waiting. An hour and a half of scraping and washing later, we were on our way to Southport.

We passed by a huge new Marina (owners only) on the way. We passed a Navy crew on barges laying pipe. Our navigation equipment was essential piloting at low tide through the sand bars between Morehead and Swansboro (where we saw a lot of sea gulls STANDING on the water). Swansboro was originally settled by the Algonquin Indians and later named for a North Carolina legislator and Speaker of the House from this area. We passed under the wonderful tall bridge to Emerald Isle.

This is retracing our steps from our 30^th anniversary trip, but the first voyage south for The Next Thirty Years.