Patience Is Our Virtue

We started this trip on a very patient note and patience remains the name of the game. 

 After a bumpy ride across the Palmico Sound just a few days ago, we entered the ICW and began traversing southbound through the ditch.  As we went along, the kids made a game trying to blow bubbles at passing boaters.  

We anchored out the first night outside of Fort Macon in Morehead City.  It was a busy bustling area and did not make for good sleep.  We experienced our first dolphin sighting as the sun was setting and we were taking on the kids in a trivia game.   We continue to see dolphins every day, some being extremely close.  Gunar had a good workout with the anchor in the morning and off we went.  

On our second day we noticed some apparent audible changes in the engine we had just invested heavily into to insure it would run top notch.  Gunar being ultra intelligent opted to get a marina as the afternoon wore on and get his hands dirty making necessary adjustments.  

 We pulled off to the side of the ICW at Swans Point Marina in Sneeds Fairy, NC, where a mother daughter team operate a quaint marina.  Though they knew little about boating, they did everything in their power to make our stay comfortable including loaning out a personal vehicle so we could get groceries and Kai could get his hair cut like Dad.   Fal did not miss an oppertunity to get a manicure either.  We stayed there two nights as we needed to make sure all was well with the engine.  It is wonderful when your spouse is not only a gifted captain but also a skilled mechanic.  Bombs and gunfire sounds could be heard around the clock from the near by Camp Lejune Marine Base as well as perpetual millitary aircraft. 

When this morning came, our hopes of an early departure were crushed when we realized we were shoaled in with the low tide temporarily (the depth issues were not reveled upon our initial call to the marina) and the wind was not helping.  We had no choice but to stay dock bound and wait some more.  We broke free this afternoon and tried to get a few miles behind us before dropping the hook just outside of Surf City, NC.  

Good night to all.  Here's to hoping the anchor doesn't feel like taking a walk as the tide swings.