The Calm before the Storm

We left Myrtle Beach and had an easy ride to Carolina Beach State Park Marina, near Cape Fear. The waters on the Cape Fear River caused no fear....they were perfectly calm.

The Park marina now has new floating docks, and one slip wide enough for a catamaran so we were finally able to visit the Park. They have lovely trails through the woods, and you feel miles away from civilization. 

Our small Canadian flag and Tobermory Yacht Club flag before we had to take them down the next day!

Lovely sunset!

        North Carolina has mile markers along the Waterway...just 260 miles to Norfolk, VA!

                   I remember this "flamingo house" from 3 years ago, when we came this way!

 We have to pass through Camp Le Jeune where you hear gigantic booms from Marines having target practice! Sometimes they fire over the waterway...No cell coverage here! We would just disappear!

                                   We thought of our friend, Wayne, with his remote tanks. 

The winds were behind us...and the tide was usually pushing us along. It was a great day...until we we reached our destination, Swansboro. We were on a face dock with the wind directly abeam. The winds eventually built to gale force. Our fenders kept us off the dock, but there was no way we could ever move the boat. During the night we heard the wind, waves, and rain, but luckily the thunderstorms missed us. It was calm in the morning....and off we went at 7:10 am. We passed by Beaufort and Morehead City, since we have spent much time there before. The Neuse River was calm luckily. Three years ago it was treacherous.....We came into River Dunes, near Oriental. They have a courtesy car so we took both dogs to the vet! Kate is biting her tail just like Lacey did 6 weeks ago. And we wanted a Vet to look at Lacey. Kate is now on antibiotics for three weeks...and got a slow-release shot. Lacey is not in pain...must be the tumour causing her weakness. We were happily surprised that the Vet bill was only $140. That is so much cheaper than it would be back home. It rained during the night and is very gloomy for pictures. River Dunes is an amazing place...Beautiful plantation type houses...pool...wonderful marina. But it's very remote. Our cell phone has no service...but at least the Marines aren't firing at us!