NSA Week Long Cruise
Erin Brook, LULU, Geisha, Chips Ahoy, Valkyrie, Fannasea, Odyssey, Elation, Opus, Carolina Moon, and Amazing Grace made the trip to Wrightsville/Southport and back for this year’s weeklong cruise.
In keeping with our flexible cruise concept, two routes were planned. One was down the inland waterway. The other was offshore. We left on Saturday for Cape Lookout. Tim Carrere described the inlet as having 5-6 foot seas with the occasional 50 footer. Saturday evening we had boats scattered about in Beaufort, Swansboro, and at the Cape.
On Sunday morning, the boats anchored at the Cape and Beaufort got an early start for the trip offshore to Wrightsville Beach. Light winds and calms seas made the trip an enjoyable motorsail for most of the day. This had it pluses when 25+ dolphin came alongside to play and check us out. There were so many dolphin, they had to play along the entire length of the boat. In the late afternoon, the sea breeze kicked in allowing us to sail and finally silence the engines for the last 15 miles. We sailed into Wrightsville Beach and met the boats that came on the ICW route. Those who went down the ICW said the water was skinny at times, but with a careful eye on the depth, they had no problems. Geisha hosted a social Sunday evening on their boat complete with smoothie drinks and a birthday cake for Tim. Thanks Tim and Carol.
The group spent Monday enjoying Wrightsville Beach. Late Monday afternoon, Carolina Moon hosted a social on the dock at Sea Path Marina. Thanks Rick and Tammy. After a hot day on the beach, mmmm the cold beer was good.
Tuesday afternoon, the fleet headed toward the Bald Head/Southport area. Tuesday night everyone scattered for dinner. After dinner a few of us were gathered on the docks where we ran into other Oriental folks who said they had seen us “Okred out at Anchracoke” in the spring. It seems we are living up to our “No Sitting Around” image.
Past NSA members, Buddy and Debbie Barnes, graciously hosted a cookout at their home in Southport the following evening. Buddy drove us to buy supplies. While in Wal-Mart, we ran into Jim Gay who had walked miles to get there. Only Jim would walk that far! Southport was in full swing preparing for their huge Independence Day celebration. It seemed the whole town was red, white and blue. We stopped by a peach stand to accommodate cravings for homemade peach ice cream and fresh peach daiquiris.
Thursday everyone motored back to Wrightsville except Fannasea and Opus. Opus continued south on their flexible cruise to Charleston and returned a week later. Fannasea had transmission problems and was towed by Valkyrie back to Wrightsville. In keeping with the flexible cruise concept, Friday some headed back up the waterway, while others went out the inlet for a sail/motor back to the Cape. Again, Fannasea was towed out the inlet and let loose. Light winds made it a long 17 hour trip for Fannasea to the Cape. Thanks to all our NSA friends who called to check on us, Valkyrie for the tows, and Odyssey for spotlighting us in to anchor under sail.
Saturday we rested and enjoyed the Cape. Thanks to Carolina Moon for hosting a swim social Saturday afternoon. The water felt very warm and relaxing after a hot day.
Sunday the group headed for homeports in time for the July land social at Katherine Wilson’s. TowBoat US made Fannasea’s trip from the Cape back home much quicker than usual.
Fannasea lost their transmission in the Cape Fear River on the way down. Opus lost their transmission as they entered the Cape Fear River on their return trip home. Coincidence? Who knows?