Susan here. JP and I took a few of these bird-and-sunrise photos this morning while we were readying the lines for departure - JP actually took this one - so Leigh decided it was time for my first blog posting.
We don't have a photo, so you will have to picture the next scene for yourselves: Raconteur tied up port side to a dock, 25-30 kts of wind blowing directly from the port side, rain beginning, various valuable boats lined up about a boat length away to starboard, the entrance of the marina directly to stern with 2 large 'shrimpers' protruding from one side and shoals from the other, Stooges standing around in 'foulies' (rainpants and jackets, JP bright red, Leigh bright yellow, Susan blue and gray). After a debate about ALL the possible alternatives (including waiting until tomorrow), we decided to go for it. Susan and JP walked the boat from cleat to cleat (between gusts) backwards down the dock, around the end and got the bow pointed in the general direction of the exit, jumped on, released the lines, and Leigh blasted out, expertly threading between the shrimpers and the shoals. Just another boring old start to a day on the ICW.
No fog today, just high winds on the nose, and the same elusive ICW channel. JP and Susan both recorded groundings today, luckily just 'touches' in soft bottom. We also got some practice in 'creative waiting' at 2 of 3 drawbridges: the first one we just made (the bridge tender waited for us), the second one could not open for an hour because of the high winds, and we arrived either 10 minutes late or 50 minutes early for the third one (depending on your point of view). On the bright side, it was warm (about 70 F), the grasses along the ICW were beautiful (we are now shoreline connoisseurs), and dolphins visited us. We tied up at Seapath Yacht Club in Wrightsville Beach at about 3:15. The wind, still with us, added a big push to the docking process (I think we bounced at least once - on fenders, of course) and is STILL pressing us against the dock 6 hours later.
The forecast still looks good for a weather window after midnight, so we plan to exit the Masonboro inlet tomorrow morning. It's just under 300 nauticals to the sea buoy at Fernandina Beach (our tentative destination), around 60 hours at 5 kts avg, so we'd be looking to arrive in port early Wednesday morning. Of course, there are lots of variables... We're excited about the offshore experience. Especially Leigh and I are wondering how well we will deal with the 24 hour watch-on-watch situation out of sight of land and the extreme conditions of wind and wave out there.
Keep thoughts about fair northerly winds and low wave heights coming our way!As a sign-off, here's a photo of the Surf City Swing Bridge (almost as cool as its name...) closing behind us today.
2 comments:
What an adventure! Here is a little update:
- permit was submitted (AGAIN) on Friday. That was a 3 hour task.
- The electrician that I hired has yet to arrive and same story for Paul's electrician. :-(
- Susan's room is done.
- Kitchen is coming along
- Will start the living room this week
- I meet with the insurance guy today to make sure that we are covered correctly in 804 and get full coverage for 803.
- Dolphins won again! We went to the game with Barb and her husband. Had too much fun. When playing catch, while tailgating, I DOVE for the ball and landed on my backside with a bit of a slide on the ashalt! Nice strawberry back there. My elbo isn't very happy either!
- Lost 8 lbs on WW
- Alan is trying to frame Bill for Lizzy's kidnapping. Bill is still in a coma.
- Looking foward to seeing you all!
The silouetted sea gulls make a great image!!! My camera could not do better!
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