June 29, 2009: Swansboro, NC

As we left Southport this morning, we passed a huge red and black freighter pulling into port.
We cruised the North Carolina coast today enjoying the beauty of the water and natural landscape. We saw the UNC Wilmington vessel - how could summer school be better.



So what are the signs that we are really back in good ole North Carolina. Well, one of course, is the appearance of NC flags along the waterway.


We saw old docks damaged by earlier storms, new lumber going up for dock constructions. We saw long narrow docks with no railings and wide docks built for play. All of them good investments as avenues for people to get to the delight of the water.



We passed by the inside passage behind Carolina Beach and Topsail where the water wanders through acres of marsh grass and tiny cottages can be seen on the beach in the distance. We stopped at lunch time in Wrightsville Beach, tied up at the Dockside Restaurant pier and climbed the steps to their glassed in and air conditioned porch. Yea for hushpuppies and cole slaw.


There were amazing open waterways like Alligator Bay where there were riverlets crisscrossing through the waving green marsh grass and glistening pools of water.

We pulled up behind an US Army Corp of Engineers vessel at the Little River Marina. It was a two story boxy ship used to do dredging and pile repair in the ICW. We were both there to buy diesel fuel. This spot fills the tanks of many fishing boats and is widely known as the cheapest place to get fuel on the East Coast. We were glad to be able to get 300 gallons at this price.

We passed by the US Marine target grounds near there where you can see old rusty vehicles parked randomly on the beach for shooting practice. Fortunately, there were no activities today, because that closes the ICW through here.

We saw the last ferry coming back from Hammocks Island State Park in the late afternoon sun. Tonight we are anchored by the Highway 24 bridge near Swansboro, NC.