sunset

by

Into the Groove

The shrimp boats sure catch a lot of seagulls! We are two miles to Cape Lookout

The shrimp boats sure catch a lot of seagulls! We are two miles to Cape Lookout

Warm day, clear water, long stretches of shell covered beach dotted with dunes, dinghy in to the beach and step into water; sounds much like the Bahamas to me. Ignore the very deep water (we dropped the hook in 26ft), the lack of rocks and coral (both in and above the water) and you could easily be convinced that your wish to “just get there!” had miraculously occurred. We joined a handful of other cruising boats who appeared content to admire the shore from the comfort of their vessel.

Looking out toward the Atlantic at Cape Lookout

Looking out toward the Atlantic at Cape Lookout

Armed with my usual tools of the beach combing and photo-taking pursuits, we headed ashore with plenty of beach exposed near low tide. How many is a bazillion?  Ok now double that. A veritable shelf of shells lined the beach on the inside (bight side); the ocean side even more.  No trip to North Carolina’s Outer Banks should skip Cape Lookout; sitting at the end of the line so to speak. Part of one of world’s last natural barrier islands, Cape Lookout offers something for everyone; from PWC-ers to hikers and cruisers. Small boats spent much of the day net fishing close to shore. They looked successful.

Sand, shells toes on the beach- life is good!

Sand, shells, toes on the beach- life is good!

For one day we’d be in the groove of sun, sand and beach; zooming over flat calm waters in Bunting, our only concern being how could we see the most in one day?

The lighthouse and Ass't keepers house which is now a museum

The lighthouse and Ass’t keepers house which is now a museum

The lighthouse area contains a boardwalk through the dunes and out to the beach

The lighthouse area contains a boardwalk through the dunes and out to the beach

Bunting rests on a small sandbar while we (me!) beachcomb

Bunting rests on a small sandbar while we (me!) beachcomb

 

The day ended with a gorgeous sunset

The day ended with a gorgeous sunset

 

by

A Walk in the Park

Coast Guard buoy tender moving buoys in the Bay near Annapolis

Coast Guard buoy tender moving buoys in the Bay near Annapolis

But first, a brisk sail 22nm down to South River where we’d stop at Liberty Marina to drop off our screecher and jib for their get well treatment. Warrior Yachting would take those white hankies and in a few days, return them all re-stitched, head webbing replaced and capped on screecher, etc- adding up to a few not unreasonable shekels.

A coastal low, the remnants of TS Karen from the Gulf of Mexico would push its way to shore, stall a bit and make sure we paid dearly for the beautiful warm weather it would replace. Ok, so now I AM glad to have those cold weather, no grill required meals on board.

The Captain outdid himself by finding Harness Creek. A tall tree-lined bank provided complete protection from the NE winds. A dock provided access to Quiet Waters, a 346-acre park with six miles of paved trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, an art gallery, gardens, an ice rink and at the creek, Paddle or Pedal who owns the dock and operates a small-boat and bike rental. Yahoo! Finally we could touch land after nine days.

Entrance to Harness Creek- park overlooks and gazebo

Entrance to Harness Creek- park overlooks and gazebo

The walk through the park was lovely and we came upon joggers, walkers, moms with strollers as we made our way to the entrance and then a couple more blocks to the Main Ingredient where we’d feast on a fabulous breakfast.

Our delicious gourmet breakfast- I was stuffed all day

Our delicious gourmet breakfast- I was stuffed all day

I ordered tea presented in a wooden box for my choosing; the pot was stylish and the loose tea sat in a strainer under the lid.  Divine. With an eye on the approaching rain we pulled our stuffed-selves away from the table and walked to the Giant grocery (picture Stop&Shop) for as much as we could comfortably carry. Local boaters offered a ride but we were headed in the opposite direction. The walk was easily close to two miles; my right knee complained the next day. Sigh.

The rain approached at a turtle crawl which allowed for another brilliant sunset.

Sunset looking at the shore of the creek opposite the park

Sunset looking at the shore of the creek opposite the park