This gloomy look was nothing compared the rain we drove through most of the way up to Vermont. We always get a kick out of walking or driving over bridges that have opened for us on the ICW.

Graduation was a huge success in all respects, we logged roughly 1,000 miles each way with the drive back way more pleasant than the rain-drenched drive up.
A few chores were in order; boat washing, laundry, removing partial birds’ nests (where we could reach, but could be more) and returning our rental.
So you could say, since trip number one was so successful, why not do it again, only slower and take in the sights. Oh, and why you’re at it be sure to travel on a busy holiday long weekend and experience local boat traffic as never before. No way, thank you very much.

Our timing was good. Thursday would see us just shy of the NC line and Friday we’d transit past the two inlets where we went aground last fall. Busy inlets with plenty of locals fishing and zooming about on weekends; I never like to do this stretch on a weekend. No worries about depth this time; North Carolina recently completed dredging the ICW near Shallotte and Lockwoods Folly inlets and joyous ActiveCaptain reviews proclaimed plenty of water even at low tide; which was good since we passed through near low.

 

Friday we’d arrive at Carolina Beach and try out one of the new moorings. The area is relatively quiet even with several marinas nearby, charter fishing boats and a few tour cats and late night party boats. This was the perfect spot to hunker down to hide out from the frenzied local boaters and from forecasted thunderstorms. Our real reason for being here though is Britt’s Donuts. Gosh almighty delicious and I will not say how many we purchased and consumed between Friday evening (they open at 4pm) and Sunday morning. Trust me on this and Russ agrees, these are not to be missed and belong on your bucket list. If you haven’t started a bucket list, do so now. Started in 1939 using a closely-held recipe, Britt’s churns out one kind of perfect donut. You can watch and be amazed at the volume produced in a tiny room.

 

Sunday, we braved the rapids (well nearly) and cavorted with the locals for the 11 mile run to Wrightsville Beach where we needed to stage for a jump offshore on Monday up to Beaufort, NC .

NOAA promised a near perfect day for us, SW 10, then going 10-15 in the afternoon, seas 2-3 ft. The dolphins visited briefly less than 10 mins after I (this was not complaining) mentioned that the day would truly be deemed perfect if only we’d seen dolphins.

I figured that if they hadn’t shown up by 5pm a comment couldn’t hurt. I love it when I’m right. Russ dashed out to watch and snap a few (hundred) photos.  We got anchored by 6:15 and you will never guess who arrived during the night and anchored nearby.